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Reinventing Policing: The Road to Police Reform in the United States
Brief #153 – Social Justice Policy Brief
by Inijah Quadri
In the United States, the urgent need for police reform has been brought into sharp focus following high-profile incidents involving police use of force. The tragic deaths of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, and countless others at the hands of law enforcement have sparked nationwide protests and a deep reevaluation of policing practices.
AI and the Dumbing Down of Education
Brief #88 – Education Policy Brief
by Rudolph Lurz
In many ways, 2023 was the year of AI. ChatGPT is ubiquitous in boardrooms and classrooms alike. Its usage is prevalent across grade levels and industries. In short, AI bots can provide full essays for students… The technology is progressing faster than school districts’ capacity to keep up with it.
Updates on the Israel-Hamas War
Brief #111 – Foreign Policy Brief
by : Abran C
Updates on the Israel-Hamas War, including the current situation in Gaza, a genocide case against Israel filed by South Africa, a Hamas leader killed in Beirut, attacks on ships in the Red Sea by Yemen, and more.
The Week That Was: Global News in Review
Brief #110 – Foreign Policy Brief
by : Abran C
A powerful earthquake hit Japan on New Year’s Day, Somalia has promised to defend its territory by “any legal means,” Argentina formally announced last week that it would not accept the invitation to join the BRICS bloc of developing economies, and more covered in this week’s review.
How Colorado and Maine Decisions Bolster The Efforts To Bar Trump From The 2024 Primary Ballots
Brief #216 – Civil Rights Policy Brief
by Rodney A. Maggay
In the last year, a number of efforts in multiple states have started to try to disqualify former President Donald Trump from appearing on the Republican primary ballot. In two states, Colorado and Maine, activists achieved their first victories in seeking to bar the former President under Section 3 of the Fourteenth Amendment.
A Wave of Congressional Departures on the Eve of a Highly Contested Election
Brief #115 – Elections & Politics Policy Brief
by William Bourque
In the turmoil of the past year, a historic number of Members of Congress have decided to leave their posts at the end of their terms. Many are seeking election to other offices, but the majority are simply retiring from the body.
An Interview About the Conflict with a Retired Israeli Brigadier-General
Brief #109 – Foreign Policy Brief
by : Ester Avisror
An up-close and personal interview with Arie Tsidon, a retired Brigadier-General of the Israel Defense Forces, who was a prominent Senior Commander of Charuv and of Paratroopers Patrols, and served in the IDF for 25 years.
Why Was Santos Expelled and What Happens Now?
Brief #114 – Elections & Politics Policy Brief
by Arvind Salem
On December 1st, George Santos became the 6th member of Congress to ever be expelled. Amid growing scrutiny ever since he entered Congress, few would have thought his offenses would reach a level warranting expulsion… However, as investigations were conducted in Santos’s past, it became abundantly clear that he met this standard.
Can You Trust AI News? The Risks of Automated Journalism
Brief #105 – Technology Policy Brief
by : Mindy Spatt
The ranks of the traditional news media has shrunk in the Internet age as news became easily available for free or at low cost online. Now that artificially created news content can be had for the taking will it become a go-to source for media and cause newsrooms to disappear altogether?
An Analysis Of The Gag Orders In Criminal Cases Against Former President Trump
An Analysis Of The Gag Orders In Criminal Cases Against Former President Trump
Civil Rights Policy Brief #213 | By: Rodney A. Maggay | October 25, 2023
Photo taken from: cnbc.com
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Policy Summary:
Over the last two months former President Donald Trump has been issued a gag order in two separate criminal cases against him.
In New York, the former President is facing criminal charges of civil fraud brought by New York Attorney General Letitia James. That case accuses Donald Trump and his sons of fraudulently inflating his personal net worth in order to acquire bank loans on more favorable terms. In the months leading up to the trial, the court issued Trump a limited gag order in order to try and limit some of his inflammatory comments while allowing him to still speak on public issues. However, on his social media account Truth Social, the former President posted a statement attacking one of Judge Arthur Engoron’s law clerks and implied that the law clerk had had an inappropriate relationship with Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer. (Judge Engoron is the judge overseeing the civil fraud trial). The disparaging post was taken down from the Truth Social site but was not taken down from a separate Trump campaign website. Judge Engoron subsequently fined Trump for the delay in taking down the post from his campaign website but also warned Trump and his legal team that more severe sanctions would be considered, including being held in contempt of court and even jail time, if Trump and his team did not abide by the limited gag order and if they continued to ignore the court’s orders.
In Washington D.C., President Trump is facing four criminal charges in connection with his attempt to subvert the 2020 presidential election. The trial is scheduled to begin on March 4, 2024 before Judge Tonya Chutkan. In recent weeks, former President Trump on his social media platforms and in public speeches has attacked witnesses, prosecutors (he referred to them as thugs) and court staff. In response, Judge Chutkan issued a gag order that barred the former President from making inflammatory and derogatory statements aimed at court personnel. Judge Chutkan stated “First Amendment protections yield to the administration of justice and to the protection of witnesses.” However, on October 20th, Judge Chutkan agreed to temporarily stay her gag order in order to permit Trump’s attorneys to argue before her why the President should not be restricted in his public comments. Judge Chutkan also ordered special counsel Jack Smith’s team to file their arguments opposing the lifting of the restrictions and gag order on comments made by Trump. Additionally, Trump’s lawyers filed an appeal to the United States Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit. LEARN MORE, LEARN MORE, LEARN MORE, LEARN MORE
Policy Analysis:
Former President Trump is facing separate criminal charges for separate actions in separate courts yet the gag orders issued in the separate cases have a common theme running through both of them. How should a court balance the First Amendment Free Speech rights of a criminal defendant with a court’s role in maintaining operations of the court and in administering justice?
A closer analysis of both of the gag order situations reveals that the Trump team’s arguments for Free Speech rights for their client have been mischaracterized. In the New York case, Trump’s comments were directed at a court staffer in order to smear her, the court and indirectly, Democratic Senator Chuck Schumer. In the D.C. election subversion case, Trump’s comments there followed a similar pattern. The statements he made about Special Counsel Jack Smith and his team of prosecutors was intended to again smear and belittle court personnel who were simply doing their jobs. Both instances show an intent to intimidate people out of the President’s anger and frustration and it was a point singled out by Judge Chutkan.
In a hearing to determine the scope of the gag order in the D.C. case, Judge Chutkan acknowledged that Trump’s rhetoric could intimidate witnesses and the jury pool and could influence some of Trump’s followers to violence. But noting that there were legitimate free speech concerns, she brilliantly divided Trump’s comments into five categories and grilled Trump’s lawyers on what could be an appropriate restriction in each scenario. There were Trump comments on the people of Washington, D.C., comments on the Biden Administration, comments on the prosecutors, comments on the court and finally comments on the witnesses. Judge Chutkan declined to add further restrictions on the first two categories because of Trump’s free speech rights to talk about public policy issues (crime in D.C. and criticism of Biden’s Administration) and because he is a presidential candidate who would be expected to weigh in on these matters. However, with the last three Judge Chutkan drew a line that targeting court staff, witnesses or the prosecutors and their family were unacceptable because of the potential for violence against them to help Trump in some way. She stated that all criminal defendants are rarely permitted to interfere with court operations or proceedings with inflammatory speech. A criminal defendant running for President of the United States next year should not be given a free speech exception to intimidate, harass and potentially place in harm’s way court staff and personnel or their families. While balancing what a political candidate can say and preventing possible harm is entwined with Tump’s case, Judge Chutkan gets it right when she broke down Trump’s comments into categories and singles out the attempts at harassment and intimidation as speech not being worthy of free speech protections.
All four of Trump’s criminal cases are moving forward towards trial. So, it will be interesting to see if the former President will abide by the court’s rulings on what he can say or if he will ignore them and face potentially stiffer penalties, including jail time.
Engagement Resources:
- Vox – explanation of the gag order against Trump and possible consequences if he violates it.
- Free Speech Center – analysis of the gag order against Trump.
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 rodwood@email.com.
The Candidacies of Robert Kennedy Jr and Cornell West
The Candidacies of Robert Kennedy Jr and Cornell West
Elections & Politics Policy Brief #103 | By: William Borque | October 20, 2023
Photo taken from: thehill.com
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With the 2024 Presidential race beginning to heat up, most of the action is focused on the Republican primary. However, there are some outsider names on the left that have also been stirring the pot. While neither is likely to garner any notable support, both have gotten their share of headlines in recent weeks and months. The first is Robert F. Kennedy Jr, the son of Former Attorney General and Presidential hopeful Robert F. Kennedy. Junior is running as an independent and is known for his distrust of vaccines and absurd rallies where he attempts to prove his physical prowess.
Kennedy’s views are largely conspiratorial, with many arguing that he is running for President simply to attempt relevance. He often discusses his thoughts on the COVID-19 pandemic, stating that he thinks it may have been started on purpose. He draws on his history as an environmental lawyer and does have strong pro-environment views. He supports sustainable farming practices and the elimination of fossil fuels and is in favor of the Green New Deal. He also has views which border on the unbelievable, like that the CIA was involved in JFK’s murders and that prescription antidepressants cause mass shootings.
While Kennedy has some small pockets of support amongst the extreme left, he is not going to garner any change to electoral results based on current polls. One of his most vocal celebrity supporters is New York Jets quarterback Aaron Rodgers, who is notably anti-vaccine. If RFK is to draw support away from anyone, it is likely to be President Biden, given his stances on most issues other than vaccines.
Another notable name that may draw support away from President Biden is far left activist Cornel West. West is an activist, philosopher, and university Professor who has moved from the People’s Party to the Green Party and is now running as an independent. The Green Party is currently without a candidate since West’s departure. West has strong positions on social justice and equality, most of which he has spoken out about in his career. He is notably anti-capitalist and has spoken extensively on the subject. West also has a strong belief in public housing, the reduction of military spending, the Green New Deal, and universal healthcare for all Americans.
West is arguably further on the fringe than Kennedy Jr but may be seen as an alternative for far-left voters who aren’t anti-vaccine. West is a socialist and is supported by many in the Democratic Socialists of America, although they haven’t issued an official endorsement yet. West may swing slightly more progressive voters than RFK, which should worry Biden. West is far less of a wildcard and holds more mainstream progressive views. If Biden doesn’t take progressive action in the next year, progressive voters may begin supporting West to put the pressure on.
Although neither are a serious threat to win the presidency, they may be a key factor in determining whether Joe Biden retains the White House. Third party candidates have been factors in presidential races before, most notably in recent history with the Green Party’s Ralph Nader. Nader won 3% of the national vote, taking away votes in key states from Al Gore and winning the presidency for George Bush. Ross Perot was another notable third-party candidate, taking key voters away from Bob Dole and securing President Clinton an easy re-election. George Washington warned of a two-party system tearing our country apart, and it seems that he predicted our current predicament. Third party candidates are a key cog in the wheel of democracy.
Examining Competitive US House Races in the West
Examining Competitive US House Races in the West
Elections & Politics Policy Brief #102 | By: Ian Milden | October 20, 2023
Photo taken from: theguardian.com
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Democrats lost their majority in the House of Representatives in the 2022 mid-term elections. However, the small size of the Republican majority leaves Democrats with a path to re-take the House majority. This brief will take an early look at some of the races in the western United States (outside of California, which I already previewed).
Analysis
Republicans shocked many pundits by only winning a four-seat majority in the House of Representatives during the midterm elections. The changing political landscape in the southwest provides some additional opportunities for Democrats.
Democrats have won some recent statewide elections in Arizona due to growing support in Maricopa County, which contains the city of Phoenix and some of its suburbs. Congressman David Schweikert (R-AZ) represents part of Maricopa County (Arizona’s first district), which is becoming more competitive. Schweikert won re-election in 2022 by only slightly over 3,000 votes. Schweikert has also recently been reprimanded by the House Ethics Committee for violating rules on using official funds. Schweikert’s campaign also got fined by the FEC for campaign finance rule violations. Democrats have a large field of candidates running for the nomination to face Schweikert.
Arizona’s 6th district, which contains part of Tuscan, will also have a competitive race. This district is currently represented by Juan Ciscomani (R-AZ), who won the open seat by a little over 6,000 votes. Ciscomani is currently seeking reelection. Congresswoman Ann Kirkpatrick (D-AZ) was the previous representative for the seat, so the seat is winnable for Democrats. Changes in redistricting have made it a Republican-leaning seat. Kirsten Engel, a former state legislator who lost to Ciscomani in 2022, is running for the Democratic nomination again.
Oregon’s 5th district should also be a target for Democrats. Lori Chavez-DeRemer (R-OR) won the seat after incumbent Kurt Schrader (D-OR) lost in the primary. The district was reconfigured in redistricting due to Oregon gaining an additional district in reapportionment. The district has a Democratic lean, so Democrats can win if they recruit the right candidate. Schrader was a centrist, so another moderate would likely have the best chance of defeating Chavez-DeRemer.
Colorado’s third district had the closest race in the country in 2022 with Congresswoman Lauren Boebert winning re-election by less than 600 votes. This isn’t a district that Democrats usually compete in because it is composed of a large number of rural counties. Republicans might have been caught sleeping in 2022, so they may devote more resources here. However, local Republicans could try to defeat Boebert in a primary if they are tired of her behavior. Boebert is facing opposition in the Republican primary, and a different nominee could help Republicans win the General Election with a lot less trouble.
In addition to these target districts, Democrats will also have to defend several districts. Colorado’s newly created 8th district, which is north of Denver, was decided by less than 3000 votes. Congresswoman Yadira Caraveo (D-CO) will run for reelection. It remains unclear who the Republicans will nominate. A Libertarian candidate took nearly 4% of the vote in 2022, and Democrats can’t bet on that happening again.
Democrats will have to defend a few incumbents who won their seats due to unusual dynamics and poor Republican candidates. In Alaska, Mary Peltola (D-AK) will run for a second term after defeating Sarah Palin twice in 2022. In Washington State, Marie Gluesenkamp Pérez will be defending the seat she won against a conspiracy theorist. The seat was previously held by Jamie Herrera Beutler, who failed to advance from the primary after she voted to impeach Trump in 2021. If Republicans nominate better candidates in these races, then these seats might flip back to Republican control.
Congresswoman Kim Schrier (D-WA) will defend a slightly Democratic-leaning swing district east of Seattle. Schrier won the open seat in 2018. In Nevada, the redistricting process made three competitive districts in the Las Vegas area, which are held by Dina Titus (D-NV), Susie Lee (D-NV), and Stephen Horsford (D-NV). If any of them lose, it’s probably a bad sign for Democrats’ prospects in the state in 2024.
New Mexico’s Congressional Districts are also in a similar spot, where Democrats control three competitive seats. The second district, represented by Gabe Vazquez (D-NM), has swung back and forth in recent years. Vasquez defeated Congresswoman Yvette Harrell in 2022 by less than 1500 votes. Harrell is seeking a rematch in 2024.
While the western states outside of California don’t provide many opportunities for Democrats to pick up seats, there are several seats that they need to defend to regain the majority.
Engagement Resources:
- DCCC Website, Official Campaign Arm of House Democrats, https://dccc.org/
The Nightmare Started at 7 in the Morning
The Nightmare Started at 7 in the Morning
Foreign Policy Brief #95 | By: Yelena Korshunov | October 19, 2023
Photo taken from: abc.net
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“The nightmare started at 7 in the morning,” say the parents of Itai (18) and Mia Regev (21), who attended the nature party in Reim that ended in disaster. The siblings were among the more than 150 kidnapped in Gaza in recent days. Ilan and Mirit Regev, the parents of Itai and Mia, recreate the moments of horror to a correspondent of Israeli news portal Walla.co.il. According to them, after 43 hours of hell, they finally were able to find out that their two children were among the abductees in Gaza, and they smiled for the first time, “Now the war begins, we will bring them back alive.”
“I got a call from my 14-year-old son, he asked if I heard the alarms,” shared Ilan Regev. “We have 3 children, we are divorced and I don’t live with them at home. At 8:01 I get a call from my daughter saying, ‘Dad, there are missiles here, we’re fine, don’t worry, we’ll wait for it to calm down and go home’’ I didn’t even know the location of the party, they also knew at the last minute, I asked her to send me a location just to be aware and she sent it along with a picture of the party, and everything looked fine. Just before she hung up, she said, ‘Dad, I love you very much, I’ll be back in a moment, I’ll call from the road.’ An hour passed. An hour and a half later, she doesn’t call, I try to call but she doesn’t answer. I try again and she doesn’t answer. I’m worried but I couldn’t imagine something like this would happen. At 8:58 I get a call from Mia screaming, ‘Dad they are shooting at us, they shoot at me, I’m dead. Help!’ And then hell began…”
The festival took place in the kibbutz Reim which is located near the border of the Gaza Strip. On the morning of October 7, Hamas militants broke into Israeli territory and attacked people at the event, mostly youth. The bodies of about 260 people were found at the site.
Kfar Aza is a kibbutz located two kilometers from the Gaza Strip, near the city of Sderot. On October 7 the kibbutz was attacked by Hamas militants. Many residents, including about 40 women and children, were killed, the rest were taken hostage to the Gaza Strip. It took the Israeli military more than 24 hours to drive the terrorists out of the kibbutz.
According to the latest data, more than 1,200 Israelis, including 155 soldiers, were killed and another 2,400 were injured. It is believed that about 150 people were taken hostage. Among them are children, women, elderly people, and Holocaust survivors.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu called on opposition parties to join a unity government, as they did 50 years ago during the Yom Kippur War. He said the future of the nation was at stake in the war against Hamas. Both the Israel Defense Forces and the country’s air force announced the start of the operation immediately after Hamas attack. The same evening the Israeli military said that the Israeli Air Force had carried out one of the “most powerful air strikes in history against Hamas in the Gaza Strip.” During the retaliatory bombing of the Gaza Strip by the Israeli army, at least 1,055 Palestinians were killed and more than 5,180 were injured. Israel reports hundreds of Hamas fighters are among them. The Israel Defense Forces said at least 2,400 Hamas targets were hit on Monday alone. In the north, the Israeli army is also conducting an operation against Hezbollah on Lebanese territory.
Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant had ordered a complete blockade of the Gaza Strip. “I gave the order that Gaza will be under complete siege,” he said. “There will be no electricity, no food, no fuel [in Gaza]. We are fighting barbaric [terrorists] and will respond accordingly.”
In addition to the Israelis and Palestinians, citizens of at least 25 other countries were killed or injured. There is still no exact data on those murdered, wounded, and taken hostage. The Israel Defense Forces, as well as governments of other countries, regularly update the lists of victims of the attack by Hamas terrorists. “This attack was a campaign of pure cruelty – not just hate, but cruelty against the Jewish people, “said president Biden, “and I would argue it’s the deadliest day for Jews since the Holocaust. /…/ I refuse to be silent, and I know you refuse to be silent as well.” Pro-Israel rallies are taking place all over the world these days supporting human’s right to be free and safe on their land.
The Medium is the Manipulation, Part 2: Detecting the AI in Campaign Advertising
The Medium is the Manipulation, Part 2: Detecting the AI in Campaign Advertising
Technology Policy Brief #99 | By: Steve Piazza | October 19, 2023
Photo taken from: thenewshouse.com
This series looks to explore the extent to which campaign ads and speeches, as well as policy frameworks of political candidates, employ deliberate strategies of disinformation and fallacy to not only discredit their political opponents but also add to the continued abusive miseducation of the U.S. populace and thus further increase the national divide. Campaign ads are not in and of themselves policy, but their message reflects a candidate’s or party’s policy of sorts, namely on how far it is willing to go to get what it wants.
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Politicians on both sides of the aisle have railed against the abuses of using artificial intelligence (AI) during political campaigns. During a hearing last month of the U.S. Senate Committee on Rules and Administration, members spelled out the harm of disinformation, particularly deep fakes (the use of AI to alter or replace faces/bodies). They also agreed that imposing laws wouldn’t be easy. Nonetheless, bill’s requiring ads to contain disclaimers when AI is being used have been introduced in both chambers.
Outside Congress, The Federal Elections Commission (FEC) is holding a public hearing period as it considers issuing regulations to prevent abuses. But such regulations cannot entirely resolve the problem, since the FEC doesn’t have the authority to stop groups like Political Action Committees (PACs) from using it, let alone users on social media.
Only acts of Congress can do that, acts that are risky in an environment that is akin to a cold war.
Policy Analysis
Political campaigns are perpetually in search of the most efficient and far-reaching methods to increase their volunteer base, expand the reach of direct contact with voters, and raise more funds. Many of these efforts integrate the latest technologies, if nothing but to assure that the other side does not gain advantage. AI is one of those technologies.
A number of companies actively serve both political parties, and have become a normal part of the landscape. Companies like DSPolitical, Quiller, and Sterling Data have realized a good deal of success in Democratic campaigns, an indication Democrats are way out ahead in the use of AI.
Yet, since more popular chatbots and image generators, like Open AI’s ChatGPT (text) and DALL-E 2 (images), have been criticized as catering to the left, right leaning companies have been inspired to develop products for conservative clients. For example, Targeted Victory’s online tools and Tusk Browser’s chatbot known as GIPPR (yes, inspired by former President Reagan’s nickname), have been gaining in popularity.
Yet, current concerns are not with pragmatic approaches to logistics. AI most certainly provides highly effective mechanisms to process and analyze information, but it also contains ways it can be manipulated.
Gathering and organizing data via AI is one thing, but using it to persuade voters can become hazardous.
For example, AI can not only determine reader’s preferences, but it can even copy what’s been previously read, and paste it directly into newly acquired content to assure the reader is getting the continuity to remain influenced. And even though new methods have been developed to help readers break free from so-called content-recommendation bubbles, new schemes using such AI methods place them right back in.
Perhaps what is most disconcerting is when AI produces modified images and/or sound that to the casual observer might on the surface appear real, yet is certainly not. Images have long been doctored for aesthetic reasons, but now images are being created to stand as the primary sources themselves.
Imagine seeing AI generated images of a candidate saying something completely false. Or, consider receiving a fundraising phone call from a candidate or celebrity that is in reality a completely fabricated audio recording.
Potential threats have already become a grim reality. One example is an ad released by the Republican National Committee showing a barrage of apocalyptic images that indicate what would result if Joe Biden were to be reelected. Another, this one produced by the DeSantis campaign, shows Donald Trump hugging Anthony Fauci.
Some major companies, such as Open AI and Google have pledged to prevent deceiving ads from being generated, though, with some artistic exceptions. Yet, without any state or federal laws, such efforts can only do so much.
From a consumer standpoint, there are many ways that people can protect themselves from being manipulated. It’s important to maintain good search practices by cross-checking other sites to verify information, and examining all photos for irregular spacing and poses. A number of sites claim to expose instances of misinformation online, but it’s important to also make sure that these sites are legitimate. Readers can also be on the lookout for new AI software and add-on tools, such as those like NYU’s Pyrorank, which attempts to break through AI generated recommendations to provide a larger, and more importantly, varied number of choices.
For now, the leviathan has been unleashed in an industry that is already enormously profitable. As Statista predicts, $15.2 billion political ad revenue is to be made in 2024. With the amount of money at stake, it’s no wonder the talk about passage of laws seems more symbolic. In an ironic reflection of AI, just because there seems to be protective action taking place doesn’t necessarily mean that it actually is.
Engagement Resources:
- For a comprehensive look at the use of AI in political campaigns this piece by Tectonica, a group dedicated to changing the political landscape through the use of technology, is worth a read: https://www.tectonica.co/ai_reading_list
- Read more on researchers work on NYU’s Pyrorank here: https://www.nyu.edu/about/news-publications/news/2023/july/researchers-devise-algorithm-to-break-through–search-bubbles-.html
The Hamas October 7th Terrorist Incursion Into Israel: A Survivor’s Account
The Hamas October 7th Terrorist Incursion Into Israel: A Survivor’s Account
Foreign Policy Brief #94 | By: Ester Avisror | October 19, 2023
Photo taken from: usnews.com
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This is another in a seies of profiles of the particpoants affected by the conflict between Israel and Hamas
On Saturday, October 7th, 2023, at about 6:30am, attendees at the NOVA rave celebrated life, music, and friendship in Re’im, Israel – until they faced unspeakable trauma. Young women and men faced the raw alarm of death, as Hamas and Palestinian Islamic Jihad terrorists arrived in vans and motorcycles, firing bullets which consumed over 250 people in unending horror.
Only a few survivors managed to escape – to find their breath again. The following is a personal testimony, told by one of the survivors. The first name of the survivor is omitted for anonymity and safety.
Ms. Guy, a 23-year-old who lives in Meitar, southern Israel, describes the incredulous story about the deadly rave party that took place in tents. “Suddenly, many sirens started going off, and the sky was filled with smoke [from Hamas’ rockets fired from Gaza]. We hopped into the car, thankfully. We were behind the scene, because if we had tried to be in front, I would not have wanted to know what would have happened”, she said. “Abruptly, people left their cars and ran the opposite way.” Then, we heard gunshots which were getting stronger. Hence, people were hysterically running, and I heard someone screaming: ‘someone has been shot’. We continued running, and we called our parents telling them we were being shot at and that we heard gunshots. After, we entered an extremely crowded bunker while trying to pull in as many people as we could. The police were saying to us: ‘run to an open area’. The terrorists were approaching, and we ran, and sand was in our face. While hearing gunshots and seeing people fall behind us, we saw, on the left side, a car with a wounded woman and people trying to help her. And then, the picture started to be clear; we were being slaughtered.”
There are dozens of survivor testimonies like Ms. Guy’s out there to bear witness to. They help us to understand Israel’s reaction to this tragedy, and its goal to eliminate a terrorist organization like Hamas from governing the Gaza strip.
DEMOCRATIC PARTY PLATFORM SUGGESTIONS PART 3: IMMIGRATION
DEMOCRATIC PARTY PLATFORM SUGGESTIONS PART 3: IMMIGRATION
OP ED | By: U.S. Resist News | October 16, 2023
Photo taken from: npr.org
This is the 3rd in a series of U.S. RESIST DEMOCRACY NEWS recommendations of platform positions for use by 2024 Democratic Party candidates.
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US immigration policy is in disarray. The number of immigrants crossing our border and coming not just to border states but to practically everywhere in the country is growing. The Republicans are sure to try and target immigration as a major issue in the 2024 elections. To head off their assault Democrats must take the lead in advocating for immigration reform legislation; if not comprehensive reform (which may be difficult because there are so many moving parts) at least reform that addresses the missing pieces in the current system.. How should they do it? What should they emphasize? U.S. RESIST NEWS makes the following suggestions.
1. Emphasize the we are a nation of immigrants; that all of us are descendants of people from other countries, many of who whom were fleeing war, political and religious persecution; that immigrants are part of the fabric of American life.
2. Emphasize that and that the United states needs to keep its doors open as a beacon of hope and opportunity for those living in less fortunate circumstances than we are; that we are living in a time of global upheaval where people are being uprooted from their lands because of war, conflict, authoritarian rule, climate change and other factors.
3. Emphasize that our country’s growth and vitality is dependent on the hard-work and entrepreneurial spirit of immigrants; that there are many occupational needs going unfulfilled that immigrants have and can provide.
4. Emphasize that immigration has limits; that we cannot accept everyone all the time all at once; that we need to have an orderly fair and just process for admitting people and giving them opportunities to earn their citizenship; and that the process is dependent in large part on how many immigrants we can reasonably support.
5. That immigration cannot be used as a means to house terrorists, criminals, and human rights abusers.
6. That immigration is a combined responsibility of federal state and local governments, with the federal government making most policies, establishing immigration laws, and assisting the states in their efforts to support the economic and social needs of the newly arrived.
7. States that intentionally interfere with the immigration efforts of other states, without their permission, are doing so illegally are in conflict with federal policy, and should be fined.
8. In these times federal immigration aid to states needs to be greatly and rapidly increased.
9. Federal and state governments need to greatly and rapidly increase the numbers of professionals handling immigration affairs, including border patrol officers, judges, social workers, and others. These professionals need to be added in order to shorten the time required to process asylum seekers and immigrant requests, and care and service immigrants to help ensure their smooth transition into American life.
10. Emphasize the distinction between documented and undocumented immigrants, and take steps needed to reduce the numbers of undocumented immigrants.
11. Temporary housing and shelter for immigrants needs to be adequate, humane and meet basic health and safety standards. Children without parents or guardians need to be provided with foster care.
12. Waiting times to seek approval or disapproval for entry need to be kept to a minimum; as does the time before a newly arrived documented immigrant can work and be eligible for government benefits.
13. Dreamers, the children of immigrants, born outside the US but who arrived in the US before the age of 16, need to be granted access to citizenship as soon as possible.
14. Priority for work visas should continue to be granted to immigrants with needed job and technical skills.
15. The United States needs to do more to coordinate its immigration policy with other countries. For example, immigrants should be encouraged to apply for entry to the US in their country of origin, if that country has a US embassy.
16. The US needs to work to strengthen global immigration laws and governance, so that immigration becomes a shared responsibility of all countries.
Democrats Vie to for a Vacant Senate Seat
Democrats Vie to for a Vacant Senate Seat
Elections & Politics Policy Brief #101 | By: William Borque | October 16, 2023
Photo taken from: cnn.com
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With the recent passing of longtime California Senator Dianne Feinstein, the already-fiery race for her seat has become more fascinating. Per law, California Governor Gavin Newsom named a replacement for the seat a day after Feinstein’s death. His selection followed his early promise of selecting a black woman, with former labor organizer and President of Emily’s List Laphonza Butler being tapped. Butler’s appointment has already led to some controversy amongst the current Senate candidates, with Butler refusing to state whether or not she will enter the race.
Current House representatives Adam Schiff (CA-30), Katie Porter (CA-47), and Barbara Lee (CA-12) are all active in the race, with Schiff leading most current polls. Porter is a staunch advocate against members of Congress trading individual stocks, and she garnered national media coverage when she questioned JP Morgan Jamie Dimon over low employee pay. Poll leader Schiff is more well-known for acting as House Impeachment Manager in the first impeachment of Former President Trump. Schiff was removed from the House Intelligence Committee by Former Speaker Kevin McCarthy when the GOP took control of the House in January. Finally, the third major candidate, Rep. Barbara Lee, is most well-known for being the only member of Congress to vote against authorizing military action after the September 11th attacks.
The question that many Californians are asking is if Butler will enter the race. While she declined to answer when asked on the day of her appointment, it would be foolish to imagine that she will be content with acting as a placeholder. The special election will be held in March of 2024, with the general election for the seat being held at the normally scheduled time in November.
Here at U.S. Resist News, we don’t think that Butler’s potential entrance into the race will have much of an impact. While her resume is impressive, she lacks the legislative experience of all three current frontrunners. Unfortunately, the potential impacts of Butler running would likely only hit Lee and Porter. Americans still pit individuals of the same gender against each other when deciding over their candidates. None of the candidates have a huge policy distinction that separates them from the rest, which likely makes the race easier for Schiff.
The Week That Was: Global News In Review
The Week That Was: Global News In Review
Foreign Policy Brief #93 | By: Abran C | October 16, 2023
Photo taken from: washingtonpost.com
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Israel-Gaza War
The militant group Hamas launched a surprise assault inside Israeli territory this past weekend that has so far killed over 900 people and became the deadliest attack in Israel’s history. Israel then formally declared war on Hamas, setting the stage for a major military operation in Gaza. During the attacks Hamas infiltrated military bases, towns, and took hostages. In retaliation the Israeli military began bombing the city of Gaza killing over 600 Palestnians and injuring another 2,500 . This new war comes on the heels of months of surging violence between Palestinians and Israelis. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has vowed retaliation, warning his country would take “mighty vengeance” and Israeli defense minister Yoav Gallant ordered a “complete siege” of Gaza, and said Israel would halt the supply of electricity, food, water and fuel to the besieged city. (U.S. RESIST DEMOCRACY NEWS will report more on this conflict soon>0
Armenians Flee Nagorno Karabakh
In late September following a 9-month blockade that prevented the flow of basic necessities like food and medical supplies, the Azerbaijani military conducted a military offensive against the Armenian enclave of Nagorno-Karabakh. Nearly the entire population of 120,000 ethnic Armenians have since been forced to flee the region.The return of the region under Azerbaijani control is likely to alter power dynamics in the South Caucasus, a region that for centuries has been at the crossroads of geopolitical interests of Russia, Turkey, and Western nations. A war for the region previously erupted in 2020, during which thousands were killed and thousands more displaced.
Russia, a longtime protector of Armenia, brokered a cease-fire and deployed about 2,000 peacekeepers to the region. Azeri President Aliyev has promised that Karabakh Armenians will continue to be able to practice the right to their own language and culture if they stay, but many Armenians have expressed concerns about violence and even ethnic cleansing. According to a decree given by the annexed region’s de facto President Samvel Shahramanyan, Nagorno-Karabakh will cease to exist as of January 1, 2024.
Kenya to lead military forces to quell unrest in Haiti
Last week the United Nations Security Council approved the deployment of international forces led by Kenya to curb escalating gang violence in Haiti. The level of violence in Haiti is reported to have reached comparable levels to that of a civil war. Now, in addition to Kenyan forces, Jamaica, the Bahamas, and Antigua and Barbuda have pledged to send personnel to the violence racked country. Haiti is led by the unelected government of Prime Minister Ariel Henry and most gangs do not recognize him as a legitimate head of state. Haiti is the poorest country in the Western Hemisphere where more than half the population lives below the poverty line. The island country had previously requested international assistance over a year ago to curb the rising insecurity in the country, and welcomed the decision by Kenya and the UN.
Earthquake in Afghanistan
Last week more than 2,400 people were killed in earthquakes that hit Afghanistan, the earthquakes of magnitude 6.3 struck in the west of the country about 20 miles northwest of the city of Herat. These quakes were among the world’s deadliest this year, just after tremors in Turkey and Syria killed over 50,000 in February. The earthquake occurred in an area that historically has not experienced as many tremors. Villages affected are still trying to rescue survivors from under the rubble, the quakes will only compound the desperate situation in Afghanistan which is one of Asia’s poorest countries and has been ravaged by conflict for decades.
A Clash of Titans: FTC Chair Lina Kahn Takes on Amazon
A Clash of Titans: FTC Chair Lina Kahn Takes on Amazon
Technology Policy Brief #98 | By: Mindy Spatt | October 11, 2023
Photo taken from: bloomberg.com
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As a law student Lina Kahn authored a widely respected critique of Amazon’s market power. Now that she’s chair of the Federal Trade Commission will she be able to do something about it?
Analysis
A suit filed by the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) and 17 states charging Amazon with anticompetitive strategies and unfair monopoly power was not a surprise, given FTC Chair Lina Kahn’s longstanding criticisms of the company. (See Technology Policy Brief #69 California Joins the Antitrust Chorus Against Amazon). The allegations in the suit, filed on September 26, center around a series of practices that the FTC alleges allow Amazon to “stop rivals and sellers from lowering prices, degrade quality for shoppers, overcharge sellers, stifle innovation, and prevent rivals from fairly competing against Amazon.”
One example is the Buy Box, a feature on Amazon’s site that recommends products to customers. Sellers interviewed by modernretail.com reported that inclusion in the Buy Box is essential to their success on Amazon. But the FTC says Amazon blocks sellers whose prices the company does not approve of, severely limiting access.
Other practices cited by the agency include tactics that punish sellers who offer lower prices on other platforms than they do on Amazon, pressuring sellers to purchase Amazon’s advertising services, inserting paid advertisements for Amazon’s own products in search results and charging exorbitantly high fees to sellers.. According to the FTC, these practices prevent price and product competition and prevent sellers from attracting a robust customer base.
“Our complaint lays out how Amazon has used a set of punitive and coercive tactics to unlawfully maintain its monopolies,” said FTC Chair Lina Khan in a press release. “[A]mazon is now exploiting its monopoly power to enrich itself while raising prices and degrading service for the tens of millions of American families who shop on its platform and the hundreds of thousands of businesses that rely on Amazon to reach them. Today’s lawsuit seeks to hold Amazon to account for these monopolistic practices and restore the lost promise of free and fair competition.”
Numerous commentators have suggested that the suit does not have good chances because Amazon’s overall market share, 38% of online sales overall, is well below the level that courts consider unfair, which is traditionally 60% or above. But there are several ways to look at Amazon’s market share. The FTC maintains that the barriers to entry it creates for other sellers are evidence of Amazon’s monopoly power. It also uses Gross Merchandise Value to measure Amazon’s market power. By that measure, the total value of goods sold to customers during a given time period, the FTC claims Amazon has more than 69% of the market share of the top 4 general merchandise platforms (Walmart, Target and eBay are the others).
The FTC concludes that “Amazon’s illegal, exclusionary conduct makes it impossible for competitors to gain a foothold. With its amassed power across both the online superstore market and online marketplace services market, Amazon extracts enormous monopoly rents from everyone within its reach,” and seeks immediate relief from the court in the form of an injunction to stop these practices. A breakup of the company is widely seen as unlikely, but the Commission might succeed in reigning in some of the most egregious practices detailed in the complaint.
Engagement Resources:
- Amazon Downplays Its Retail Might With This One Number, on Repeat, by Laura Hautala, Jan. 12, 2023, CNET https://www.cnet.com/tech/services-and-software/amazon-downplays-its-retail-might-with-this-one-number-on-repeat/
- Will the FTC’s Lina Khan succeed in breaking up Amazon? by Jon Gold, Oct. 2, 2023, Computerworld,, https://www.computerworld.com/article/3707811/will-the-ftcs-lina-khan-succeed-in-breaking-up-amazon.html