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The Challenge in Regulating AI
Brief #85 – Technology Policy
by Steve Piazza
Since artificial technology (AI) technology is relatively new, policy regarding the appropriate use of it is still evolving. Domestically and abroad, actions have been taken to minimize any of the harm that may ensue due to possible misuse.
Congress Tries to Tame Big Tech: Anti-Trust, Content Regulation, and Privacy Protection: Part I
Brief #84 – Technology Policy
by Inijah Quadri
This Brief introduces a new series of U.S. RESIST NEWS reports on the challenges involved in regulating big tech.
The Week that Was: Global News In Review #6
Brief #186 – Foreign Policy
by Abran C
This is our 6th in a series designed to help our readers catch up on international events of the past week.
The GOP’s Silly Fight Against “Wokeness”
Brief #75 – Elections & Politics Policy
by Rudolph Lurz
In 2020, Joe Biden carried Virginia comfortably, more than doubling Secretary Clinton’s margin of victory in the 2016 election. A year later, in a surprising upset, Republican Glenn Youngkin defeated Terry McAulliffe in the 2021 gubernatorial election, securing over 50% of the vote in a state that has leaned blue in recent years.
U.S. RESIST NEWS PRINCIPLES OF DEMOCRACY
U.S. Resist News Op Ed. | April 2023
U.S. Resist News
Democracy in the United States is under attack. Donald Trump demonstrated that you could be President and yet disregard the political and legal norms and values that made the US a symbol of what it means to be a democratic country.
An Early Look at the 2023 Kentucky Governor’s Race
Brief #74 – Elections & Politics Policy
by Ian Milden
Kentucky is one of three states to elect Governors in the year before the Presidential Election. Incumbent Governor Andy Beshear (D-KY) is running for re-election with strong approval ratings, but the strong Republican partisan lean of Kentucky makes it challenging for any Democrat to win there.
Meta’s Oversight Board Invites Comments on Martyrs
Brief #83 – Technology Policy
by Mindy Spatt
Meta’s Oversight Board has taken public comments on the way its platforms treat the Arabic word “Shaheed”, often deleting it from posts by posters Meta has deemed dangerous.
Child Labor Laws are Not Meant to Be Broken
Brief #146 – Social Justice Policy
by Steve Piazza
Child labor laws have been in place in the U.S. since the signing of the Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938 (FLSA). Protections against abuses such as excessive hours worked and hazardous jobs are governed both by federal and state regulations.
Governor Whitmer Repeals Michigan’s 1931 Law Banning Abortion
Brief #160 – Health & Gender Policy
by Arvind Salem
On April 5, Governor Whitmer overturned Michigan’s 1931 law banning abortion. While the law was not in effect, its repeal represents a massive victory for abortion supporters across the state.
January 6th Committee Criminal Referrals
January 6th Committee Criminal Referrals
Elections & Politics Policy Brief #49 | By: Maureen Darby-Serson | December 27, 2022
Header photo taken from: Jabin Botsford / Pool / Reuters
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The Justice Department is not obligated to act on such referrals to charge Trump, or even to acknowledge them. But the public hearings outlining Trump’s “multi-part scheme” to overturn the 2020 presidential election have amped up pressure on Attorney General Merrick Garland to bring criminal charges against Trump, which would be the first in history against a former president.
Photo taken from: The Associated Press
Policy Summary
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On Monday, December 19th, 2022, the January 6th Committee announced that it would be sending several criminal referrals, including referrals for former President Donald Trump, to the Department of Justice. Donald Trump was referred for at least four criminal charges: obstructing an official proceeding, defrauding the United States, making false statements, and assisting or aiding an insurrection.
John Eastman was the only other individual specifically named in the referals but the committee said that others may be referred as well. The Committee also referred several Republican House members to the House Ethics Committee for not complying with subpoenas. It is unclear what the referrals to the Ethics Committee will amount to when the newly elected House takes over in January. These House members are Kevin McCarthy, Jim Jordan, Scott Perry, and Andy Biggs.
Policy Analysis
The criminal referrals are mostly symbolic as the Department of Justice is not required to follow through with them. However, the Committee made the referrals because they believed they had enough evidence to bring forth criminal charges against Donald Trump and will be turning over that evidence to the Justice Department with their recommendations. If the Justice Department goes through their evidence and finds that the Committee was correct, they may agree and charge the former President with a crime. This will be an unprecedented moment as a former President, let alone one that has announced that they are running for a new term as President, has never been charged with a crime after leaving office.
Infographic taken from: Yahoo Finance & ABC
(click or tap to enlargen)
In addition, these referrals may not diretly be acted upon due to the current Department of Justice’s on-going investigations into former President Trump and what they have found so far. The Justice Department and Special Counsel may have already found evidence of criminal conduct during their investigations and may already be preparing criminal charges.
Either way, Donald Trump is in trouble. Whether that is criminal trouble or a problem for his new presidential run is yet to be determined. It also has yet to be determined how this will impact the 2024 election and Trump’s ability to run for President.
Engagement Resources
Click or tap on resource URL to visit links where available
https://s3.documentcloud.org/documents/23466412/the-summary-of-the-house-jan-6-panels-report.pdf
https://www.cnn.com/politics/live-news/jan-6-committee-public-meeting/index.html
https://www.nytimes.com/live/2022/12/19/us/jan-6-committee-trump
https://www.npr.org/live-updates/jan-6-hearings-committee-criminal-referrals-trump-final-report
A Primer on US Immigration Policy
A Primer on US Immigration Policy
Social Justice Policy Brief #143 | By: Inijah Quadri | December 22, 2022
Header photo taken from: Getty Images
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Photo taken from: Jeff Scheid / The Nevada Independent
Policy Summary
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Immigration policy and border control in the United States have long been contentious and divisive issues in American politics and society. The United States has a long history of immigration, with millions of people from around the world coming to the country seeking a better life, freedom, and opportunity. At the same time, the issue of immigration and border control has also been a source of tension and debate, as the country grapples with questions of how to balance the needs and rights of immigrants with the need to protect national security and control its borders.
Types of Immigration
There are several different types of immigrants seeking admission to the United States, including:
a. Asylum seekers: These are individuals who seek refuge due to persecution, violence, or other threats to their safety in their home countries. According to U.S. law, asylum seekers have the right to apply for protection in the United States and have their cases considered by immigration officials.
b. Immigrants fleeing poverty and climate change: Many people immigrate to the United States in search of economic opportunity and a better standard of living. In recent years, there has also been an increase in immigrants fleeing poverty and climate change in their home countries.
c. Skilled immigrants: The United States has traditionally welcomed skilled immigrants, such as doctors, engineers, and other professionals, as they can contribute to the country’s economy and competitiveness.
d. Dreamers: The term “Dreamers” refers to individuals who were brought to the United States as children without proper documentation. The Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program, which was established in 2012, provides temporary protection from deportation and work authorization for certain Dreamers.
Photo taken from: CitizenPath
Chart taken from: Center for Immigration Studies
(click or tap to enlargen)
Statistics on Immigrants
Over the past few years, the number of immigrants in the United States has remained relatively stable, hovering around 44.9 million. According to data from the American Immigration Council, the top countries of origin for immigrants in the United States are Mexico, China, India, and the Philippines. The majority of immigrants in the United States are legal permanent residents, though there is also a significant number of unauthorized immigrants and temporary workers in the country.
The Roles Immigrants Play in American Life
Immigrants have played a vital role in American life and have significantly contributed to the country’s economy, culture, and diversity. Many immigrants work in industries such as agriculture, construction, and healthcare, filling important labor shortages and helping to drive economic growth. Immigrants are also more likely to start their own businesses than native-born Americans, and their entrepreneurial spirit has contributed to the country’s innovation and competitiveness.
Diverse Issues in Immigration Reform
There are many different issues that are involved in immigration reform, including:
a. Border security: The United States has long sought to control its borders to prevent illegal immigration and protect national security. This has included measures such as building a wall along the U.S.-Mexico border and increasing the number of Border Patrol agents.
b. Deportation: The United States has a system in place for deporting individuals who are in the country illegally or who have violated the terms of their visas. This has been a controversial issue, as many immigrants and advocacy groups argue that the system is unfair and can result in the separation of families.
c. Legal immigration: The United States has a complex system for legal immigration, which includes various visas and pathways for people to come to the country. Some people argue that the system is too slow and cumbersome, while others argue that it needs to be more selective in order to protect national security and ensure that immigrants are able to assimilate into American society.
d. Dreamers: As mentioned above, Dreamers are individuals who were brought to the United States as children without proper documentation. The DACA program provides temporary protection from deportation for certain Dreamers, but there has been debate over whether the program should be made permanent or whether Dreamers should be given a pathway to citizenship.
Existing Policy Under Consideration
There are several immigration policies that are currently under consideration in Congress and the administration. These include:
a. The U.S. Citizenship Act of 2021: This bill, which was introduced in the Senate in February 2021, would provide a pathway to citizenship for Dreamers and other immigrants who are in the country illegally. It would also provide additional resources for border security and increase the number of visas available for skilled immigrants.
b. The Border Security and Immigration Reform Act: This bill, which was introduced in the House of Representatives in 2018, would provide funding for border security measures such as a wall along the U.S.-Mexico border and increase the number of Border Patrol agents. It would also provide a pathway to citizenship for Dreamers and other immigrants who are in the country illegally, but only if they meet certain requirements, such as paying a fine and passing a criminal background check.
Photo taken from: Getty Images
Chances of New Policies Being Enacted
It is difficult to predict the chances of immigration policies being enacted in the new Congress. Immigration reform has long been a divisive issue in American politics, and it is likely that any new policies will face significant opposition from some members of Congress. However, the Biden administration has made it a priority to address immigration reform, and it is possible that some new policies could be enacted with the support of a Democratic-controlled Congress.
Conclusion
American immigration policy and border control are complex and multifaceted issues that have a significant impact on American society and the lives of millions of people. While the United States has a long history of welcoming immigrants and has benefited from their contributions, the issue of immigration reform remains controversial and divisive. It is important for the country to find a balance between protecting its borders and national security, and providing opportunities and protections for immigrants who come to the United States seeking a better life.
Engagement Resources
Click or tap on resource URL to visit links where available
American Immigration Council: (https://www.americanimmigrationcouncil.org/research/immigrants-in-the-united-states)
Migration Policy Institute: (https://www.migrationpolicy.org/article/frequently-requested-statistics-immigrants-and-immigration-united-states#:~:text=How%20many%20U.S.%20residents%20are,of%20approximately%20950%2C000%20from%202020.)
MIT News: (https://news.mit.edu/2022/study-immigrants-more-likely-start-firms-create-jobs-0509)
Pew Research Center: (https://www.pewresearch.org/fact-tank/2022/04/27/key-facts-about-title-42-the-pandemic-policy-that-has-reshaped-immigration-enforcement-at-u-s-mexico-border/)
The Guardian: (https://www.theguardian.com/news/2022/aug/18/century-climate-crisis-migration-why-we-need-plan-great-upheaval)
The White House: (https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefing-room/statements-releases/2021/07/27/fact-sheet-the-biden-administration-blueprint-for-a-fair-orderly-and-humane-immigration-system/)
US Congress Legislation: (https://www.congress.gov/bill/115th-congress/house-bill/6136)
US Congress Legislation: (https://www.congress.gov/bill/117th-congress/house-bill/1177)
Washington Post: (https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/monkey-cage/wp/2018/06/27/the-news-media-usually-show-immigrants-as-dangerous-criminals-thats-changed-for-now-at-least/)
Brittney Griner: A Lesson for Activists on Intersectionality
Brittney Griner: A Lesson for Activists on Intersectionality
Health and Gender Policy Brief #TBA | By: Geoffrey Small | December 22, 2022
Header photo taken from: Getty Images
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Photo taken from: Michael Key
Policy Summary
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On February 17, 2022, WNBA All Star Brittney Griner was arrested in Russia on smuggling charges for containing less than a gram of hash oil, which was prescribed to her medically in the state of Arizona. The Biden Administration stated that Griner was “wrongfully detained” for political leverage in response to sanctions imposed on Russia for the Ukraine invasion. She was eventually sentenced to nine years in one of Russia’s penal colonies, which are notorious for human rights abuses. Griner, a Black professional athlete who identifies as a lesbian, immediately became a focal point of intersecting political dialogues in the United States related to women’s equality, LGBTQ rights, marijuana decriminalization, and Critical Race Theory.
As a result, multiple high-profile political organizations and celebrities from different backgrounds simultaneously advocated for the U.S. government to facilitate her release in exchange for a detained high-profile arms dealer Viktor Bout. The most effective strategies in messaging were rooted in the principles of Kimberlé Crenshaw’s theory on intersectionality. The critical race theory of intersectionality may be the key high-profile organizations can use to collaborate more effectively on political activism in order to help influence similar socioeconomic issues in the future.
Policy Analysis
While Griner was detained, Black Lives Matter voiced support through twitter, stating to Britney “your community has your back. We’re thinking about you every day and we’re fighting for you to come back home.” Cannabis activists protested outside the Russian Embassy in Washington D.C. GLAAD, one of the most prominent LGBTQ organizations, stated in a press release that Griner “is a hero. We admire her courage and loudly echo President Biden’s statement that she is being wrongfully detained. Our community remains gravely concerned for Brittney’s safety and demand urgent action from the State Department.”
However, Griner’s WNBA head coach, Vanessa Nygaard truly defined what the issue really was about. She stated “If it was LeBron [James], he’d be home, right?” Nygaard continued describing the imprisonment of Griner after several months as “a statement about the value of women. It’s a statement about the value of a Black person. It’s a statement about the value of a gay person. All of those things.”
Kimberlé Crenshaw, first used the term “intersectionality” as a professor at Colombia Law School in 1989. It was used to describe how class, gender, race and other characteristics like sexual orientation “intersect” or overlap. Crenshaw’s theory explains that individuals living in the U.S., who identify with multiple characteristics, can struggle exponentially in a system that is rooted historically in white-male dominance. In Griner’s case, she was playing in Russia to support herself financially, because a WNBA’s average player income is significantly less than what a male NBA player makes.
Chart taken from: The Williams Institute
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She was imprisoned for almost ten months while conservative political pundits questioned her value as a high-profile prisoner that was worth the exchange for a white-male arms dealer. It is well documented that Black communities in the United States have significant socioeconomic disadvantages. However, being a Black female lesbian statistically comes with even more disadvantages. According to the UCLA Williams Institute, 56% of Black LGBT households have a low income, compared to 49% Black non-LGBT. 60% of Black LGBT adults have been threatened with violence and 79% face verbal abuse.
Advocacy groups like Black Lives Matter and GLAAD may have different organizational goals when it comes to their activism, but based on Crenshaw’s principles, they also share intersecting principles. Griner’s harrowing story of unlawful detainment while making a living as a black professional athlete, who identifies as a lesbian, provides a lesson on how these organizations can collaborate on intersecting struggles to carry out their overall goal for a better system of equality. Donating to Back Lives Matter and GLAAD can help these organizations achieve their common goals.
Engagement Resources
Click or tap on resource URL to visit links where available
https://blacklivesmatter.com/?gclid=EAIaIQobChMIzfzpjqqN_AIVk7jICh3vmgUJEAAYAiAAEgI_t_D_BwE
Should Machine-Made Art Be Subject to Copywrite Protection?
Should Machine-Made Art Be Subject to Copyright Protection?
Technology Policy Brief #77 | By: Steve Piazza | December 23, 2022
Header photo taken from: Ryan Abbott
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Photo taken from: Stability AI
Policy Summary
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Last February, the U.S. Copyright Office upheld a rule that artwork created by machines or animals cannot be protected under copyright law. Referring to the Copyright Act of 1976, the U.S. Copyright Review Board reasserted that only works by humans can be protected.
Creativity is a constitutionally protected endeavor as stated in Article I Section 8 of the U.S. Constitution. What’s in question here, however, is not whether something is “creative” or not, but whether the Artificial Intelligence (AI) itself that produces artwork deliberately created without human intervention can be granted the protection.
In this case, researcher Stephen Thaler had applied for protections on behalf of the AI that generated an image, but Thaler was unable to convince the three member panel that his “Creativity Machine” algorithm passed as a person.
Policy Analysis
Neil Netanel, UCLA Law Professor and copyright scholar states that copyright law is used by “market institutions to enhance the democratic character of civil society.” It helps maintain a “careful balance between exclusivity and access” to creative expression necessary to a civil society.
In other words, disputes over who deserves compensation for work and who has access to it are unavoidable, and therefore laws designed to provide protections are required.
Copyright, as the country’s founders also understood it, plays a vital role in the economic stability of a democracy.
This is not an alarmist view, but a pragmatic one, considering that history is full of instances where totalitarian governments have seized control of creative expression in one way or another. Protecting creative expression is simply protecting freedom.
Regarding AI image generators, certain text is entered into algorithms that search the web for images which are then blended together to create a new image. In and of itself, artificially generated art is not a bad practice. It is quite amazing what is being created these days.
Some argue that it’s not art because in the end it’s generated by machine. Others contend it is because ultimately it requires some human involvement along the way. Either way, the purpose of the law goes beyond that debate because it raises legal questions about authorship. At its core it’s more about protecting the relationship between creator and end user, or in effect, the marketplace.
Yet the language of the law is constantly called into question as new technologies arrive. Thaler’s attempts for protection (he’s been applying for similar protections, even suing in countries around the globe, and with some success) should be viewed as a wake up call to copyright lawyers and Congress that present day statutes in the U.S. are not enough to prevent any upset to the equilibrium.
Photo taken from: Selvam & Selvam: an Intellectual Property Law Firm
(click or tap to enlargen)
Entire industries have changed as a result of emerging digital content and delivery systems, and there have been casualties, particularly on the artist’s end. Providing protection directly to AI without anticipating and adapting to newly forming consequences will only continue the trend.
Copyright does not protect the ideas themselves, but only the expression of them. What makes the future of copyright protections even more complicated is that it’s difficult to distinguish between an idea and its expression in a virtual world.
The test of a creative work is that it’s based on a human idea and resulting creation, but an AI work is resulting from the output of a machine ultimately on its own. Yet, as Thaler would argue, that independence is the point. Just as some citizenship rights are granted to a corporation, authorship to machines logically follows.
As these practices are allowed, one tends to look at society in a completely different light. It begs the question: How secure is someone supposed to feel if some of their constitutional protections are weighted equally against abstractions?
It’s comforting to know that the Office of Copyright has recently been addressing the issue of new technologies. In 2021, it held a conference (along with the U.S Patent and Trademark Office) entitled Copyright Law and Machine Learning for AI: Where Are We and Where Are We Going?.
This resulted in some discussion on possible approaches to sensible safeguards, such as shared authorship, tax incentives, and distinguishable data protection. Yet there seems widespread agreement there that changing the Copyright Law at this time is not yet warranted because of the belief that it still provides the best balance for existing creative markets.
Continued attention is warranted, though. If left unclear, the ambiguities inherent to the nature of digital content development and the law could lead to inequities, and an undesirable civil imbalance the law was attempting to avoid in the first place.
Engagement Resources
Click or tap on resource URL to visit links where available
This is the panel’s written response to Thaler’s request for copyright protection, which also includes work by the AI:
https://www.copyright.gov/rulings-filings/review-board/docs/a-recent-entrance-to-paradise.pdf
Learn more about copyright law and policy in general by clicking here: https://copyright.gov/
This is a link to the Federal Register Notice calling for public input on Non-Fungible Tokens (NFTs) and Intellectual Property: https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/FR-2022-11-23/pdf/2022-25211.pdf
Here is information on Copyright Alliance, a group that represents artists concerned about copyright issues: https://copyrightalliance.org/
Twitter Layoffs Spark the Latest Accusations of Sexism in Tech
Twitter Layoffs Spark the Latest Accusations of Sexism in Tech
Technology Policy Brief #76 | by: Mindy Spatt | December 23, 2022
Header photo taken from: Getty Images
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Photo taken from: The Associated Press
Policy Summary
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Elon Musk’s takeover of Twitter has sparked outrage, layoffs and lawsuits. But the news of a sex discrimination suit by laid off employees is no surprise; it is not the first for Musk or Twitter, and the tech industry is notorious for its unequal treatment of women.
Policy Analysis
The suit claims that women were unfairly targeted for layoffs, with 57% of its female workers getting the sack compared with 47% of male employees. Women engineers were particularly hard hit, with 635 losing their jobs compared with 485 of their male counterparts.
Cited in the complaint are sexist tweets by Musk’ including one in which he refers to a school using the acronym “TITS”.
It also cites his request for workers to either be in the office 24/7 or leave, alleging “Musk would certainly have known that these policy changes and expectations would have a disproportionate impact on women, who are more often caregivers for children and other family members, and thus not able to comply with such demands.”
Twitter is no stranger to high profile sex discrimination suits. In 2015 Tina Huang, who had been a software engineer at the company, filed a class action against Twitter for what she claimed was an “impenetrable glass ceiling” stopping females engineers like herself from being promoted.
Huang’s suit followed Ellen Pao’s against her former employer, Kleiner Perkins, which drew widespread media attention. She not only alleged gender discrimination but also that she’d been retaliated against for complaining. Although she lost, she her case became a touchstone for the problems women were experiencing in the tech industry.
After the barrage of negative publicity these cases caused, many companies made noises about the need to change. But the discriminatory practices persisted, Including under Musk’s watch. In 2017 the New Yorker reported on a sex discrimination suit against Tesla; not just for failing to promote women but also complaining of a hostile work environment that included catcalling and other daily harassments.
Infographic taken from: CyprusMail
(click or tap to enlargen)
More recently, a 2020, a report on “The State of Women in Tech” found that in Silicon Valley men, on average, earned roughly 61% more than women ..and that less than 5% of leadership positions were held by women.
The problem isn’t limited to the US. An international survey by Web Summit Women in Tech found that in 2022 sexism remains pervasive in the industry. The majority of respondents, 78.5 per cent, were from Europe.
Approximately one half of women surveyed said they had experienced sexism in the last year, and 66.9 per cent believe they are paid unfairly as compared to their male counterparts,. A full 62.9 per cent feel pressure to choose between career and family and believe they have to work harder to prove themselves.
The technology industry has not just generated highly paid jobs, it has also generated enormous wealth, which has also gone almost exclusively to men. While tech executives have become the wealthiest people in human history only two women currently appear on Forbes’ list of tech’s 20 richest people. One is a widow of a male billionaire, the other an ex-wife of another.
The plaintiffs suing Twitter over the layoffs are seeking lost back pay and lost benefits, bonuses, and equity. They also asking for damages for emotional distress and punitive damages. And while Musk says Twitter is losing millions of dollars every day he can still easily afford to provide the plaintiffs with everything they are asking for. He remains the second wealthiest person in the world with an estimated fortune of $164 Billion.
Engagement Resources
Click or tap on resource URL to visit links where available
The State of WOMEN IN TECH 2020
https://adevait.com/state-of-women-in-tech
8 Charts that Show the Impact of Race and Gender on Technology Careers
Natalie Merchant, World Economic Forum, April 13, 2021
https://www.weforum.org/agenda/2021/04/gender-race-tech-industry/
Women Who Tech is nonprofit organization building a culture and inclusive economy to accelerate women tech entrepreneurs and close the funding gap. https://womenwhotech.org
Ukraine’s Effort to Maintain Its Infrastructure
Ukraine’s Effort to Maintain Its Infrastructure
Foreign Policy Brief #161 | By: Yelena Korshunov | December 20, 2022
Header photo taken from: Vladyslav Musiienko / Reuters
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Photo taken from: pravda.com.ua
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There is another day in the city of Odessa when people are surviving without water, power, and heat. It is 34F on the streets and a little bit warmer in apartments. Adults throw extra blankets on children and wrap themselves in another layer. How long have they been living in this cold and darkness, just trying to survive? A week, a month? In the chilly morning some of them go to work. It’s cold there as well. However, power generators work 7/24 in hospitals, precincts, and some stores.
Odessa is one of many Ukrainian regions where energy infrastructure has been continually destroyed by Russia’s missiles. Last time it was fixed and almost restored within a week, and right after that another boost of missiles turned Ukrainians back to darkness and cold. Municipal electric transport doesn’t work due to the energy deficit. It’s the holiday season there as well, but this year it’s so different for Ukrainians from what we have on the peaceful land.
Photo taken from: meduza.io
In Odessa, after the Russian attack on energy facilities, more than one million residents were left without power. On the morning of December 10th the Ukrainian military said that power sites were attacked at night by kamikaze drones again. There were also emergency power outages in the entire Odessa region. Millions across the country experienced the same condition. Russia has been regularly shelling Ukrainian energy infrastructure since October, leaving populated areas of Ukraine without electricity, water and heat.
On December 13, a fragment of the program “Vesty with Alexei Kazakov” on Russia’s state TV channel “Russia 24″ was distributed on mass media. In it, TV anchor Alexey Kazakov and Evgenia Petrukhina mockingly talked about the difficulties Ukrainians face due to regular power outages, not mentioning that they were caused by Russian strikes. “There is a shortage of generators in Nezalezhnaya (”Independent” in ukr.) … But even those who have generators do not have a peaceful life. After all, generators are stolen. … The life of a Ukrainian now generally looks like this. Charging phones in stores. Dinner by candlelight. It’s almost romantic, but it only takes about an hour to reheat the food in this way. But the man is forced to shave next to the ATM. … Another example is that it is possible to remain hairless if you dry your head over a gas stove.
And this is in the best case. There are more and more news reports about carbon monoxide poisoning…”- humiliate Russia’s reporters – “For almost a week, the city of Nezalezhnaya (”Independent” in ukr.) has been in the dark. … Simple Ukrainians cannot afford complex cooking now: even 100 milliliters of water (half a glass) will boil for at best 40 minutes on a candle flame… And Russian borscht, which Ukrainians love very much, is impossible to cook purely physically without generators, gas stoves or bonfires… But even in such a situation you can see your advantages. Without classic stoves, it is difficult to fry meat with spices or bake flour, and this is harmful. Why not take advantage of the situation and switch to healthier and simple food? After all, the recovery of Ukrainian society is the main goal of strikes on the Nezalezhnaya (”Independent” in ukr.) power system.”
Photo taken from: gazeta.ua
“The main thing today is energy. During the day, we managed to restore electricity to almost 6 million Ukrainians. Repair work continues without a break after yesterday’s attack by terrorists. Russia does not spare resources for the war against our people – precisely against the people, against all Ukrainians, from Lutsk to Kharkov, Sumy to Odesa region,” the head of state said.
Zelensky reported that there are problems with the supply of heat and water. “Thank you to all our energy workers, everyone who works to provide heat and water, everyone who repairs communications damaged by shelling and restores normal life every time, no matter how the terrorists try to leave us in the cold and in the dark. The terrorists will still lose.”
House Republicans’ Inability to Select a Speaker Foreshadows How They Will Govern
House Republicans’ Inability to Select a Speaker Foreshadows How They Will Govern
Elections & Politics Policy Brief #48 | By: Ian Milden | December 20, 2022
Header photo taken from: Chip Somodevilla / Getty
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Photo taken from: Mary F. Calvert, Reuters
Policy Summary
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The new terms for members of Congress will start in a few weeks. Current House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy (R-CA) has yet to secure enough votes to become the next Speaker of the House. This brief will explain why he doesn’t have the votes yet and what it could mean for the next two years in the House of Representatives.
Policy Analysis
To become the Speaker of the House, someone must secure the votes of a majority of its 435 members. Unless there are multiple vacancies, that means someone will require 218 votes to become the Speaker. There will be one vacancy at the start of the new Congress due to the passing of Congressman Donald McEachin of Virginia, but this should not affect the math for the House Speaker vote. The House can not proceed with other business until a new Speaker is selected.
Due to the results of the 2022 mid-term elections, Republicans will control 222 seats. This means that Republicans have enough votes to select the new Speaker, but they must get the agreement of almost all Republican members. Usually, a new Speaker will have the votes secured by this point. However, Kevin McCarthy is facing vocal and public opposition from at least five Republican members of Congress, which is enough to prevent him from becoming the next Speaker. Donald Trump has asked these members to drop their opposition to McCarthy, but that does not seem to be changing their minds.
The Republican members of Congress who are opposed to McCarthy want to reinstate the ability of individual members to request a vote to replace the Speaker at any time. This would make the Speaker more responsive to the individual demands of members of his party. Both moderate and ideologically conservative members of Congress could use this to pressure the Speaker, which would make it challenging to pass legislation considering that the two wings of the party have divergent goals.
There are moderates who are interested in passing legislation and working with Democrats as needed, while other members will prioritize ideological goals and self-promotion at the expense of serious legislative activity. Regardless of whether McCarthy or anyone else makes this concession, whoever becomes the next Speaker will face pressures from both ends of the Republican Party on legislation and political strategy.
Photo taken from: Steve Helber / The Associated Press
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McCarthy has tried to become the Speaker before. He was the House Majority Leader when John Boehner resigned. McCarthy tried to become the new Speaker, but the more ideological members of the Republican majority refused to support him, which resulted in Paul Ryan becoming the Speaker after McCarthy withdrew from consideration. This time, McCarthy is dealing with a slimmer majority and less political capital due to Republicans’ weaker-than-expected performance in the 2022 mid-term elections. McCarthy may have to withdraw from consideration again if he can’t secure the votes to become the Speaker of the House.
If McCarthy doesn’t become the Speaker, Republicans may struggle to agree on an alternative. The position is likely less desirable at the moment due to the pressures from within the Republican party and the lack of a durable majority. Democrats may only have to make minor adjustments to their campaign strategy to retake control of the House in 2024.
Given that the Republican majority may not last, a compromise candidate for Speaker might indicate plans to retire at the end of their term to secure the job. It would be possible for House Republicans to pick someone who is not a current member of the House to be the Speaker, but this would be an unprecedented and unlikely outcome. As I previously stated, the House can not proceed with other business until a new Speaker is selected.
The failure of House Republicans to agree on the next Speaker has implications for governing. It will be challenging to get passable legislation out of the House. Legislation that is passed on a party-line vote will likely die in the Senate since it is controlled by Democrats. Republicans may not be willing to compromise on significant legislation as Republican leaders have been reluctant to bring any legislation up for a floor vote when it did not have broad support within the Republican Party.
Republican leaders have had to bring legislation to the floor that significant portions of Republican members disliked to keep the government open and funded. Given the reliance on continuing resolutions to fund the government due to the inability to pass a budget, the chances of a government shutdown occurring are higher for the next two years.
The Week That Was # 1
The Week That Was #1
Foreign Policy Brief #160 | By: Abran C | December 19, 2022
Header photo taken from: The Associated Press / Andy Wong
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Photo taken from: The BBC / EPA
A new series to catch you up on the top stories that occurred around the world last week.
US-Africa Summit
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President Biden hosted a US-Africa summit last week with 49 African leaders in Washington DC. It is the first such gathering in eight years, it comes after a strenuous time with African leaders’ relationships with former president Trump’s who alienated many leaders with controversial policy decisions and insulting comments. Africa, a continent with 1.2 billion people, only accounts for just over 1% of US foreign trade.
Biden announced billions of dollars in US support and investments in Afrian countries. The US is also set to sign a memorandum with the African Continental Free Trade Area, which would be one of the world’s biggest free-trade areas and open both the US and African markets to each other. President Biden also said he would back the African Union’s admission as a permanent member for the G-20, which would be a major step in recognition of the continent’s global importance.
The summit is the US’ attempt to re-establish its influence and counter China’s growing investment and presence on the continent. President Biden spoke optimistically of improved links with Africa and telling those gathered that “when Africa succeeds, the United States succeeds”.
China’s Covid-19 Surge
Photo taken from: Reuters
China is expecting a widespread Covid-19 outbreak as the country lifted its long-standing zero-Covid policy. The policy has been widely unpopular among Chinese citizenry, even sparking protests where there were calls for the Chinese president, Xi Jinping, to step down. The zero-Covid policy also meant that economic growth stagnated because as entire cities were shut down to keep the virus from spreading, people were unable to go to work, businesses were unable to open, and trade ground to a halt. China is now facing what will probably be the world’s largest surge of the pandemic as the zero-Covid policy gets lifted.
China’s public health officials state that possibly 800 million people could be infected with the coronavirus over the next few months and predictions are that half a million people could die. The reason is that the population has very little immunity to the multiple strains of the virus and are now in danger of serious illness as the majority of people have never been infected and vaccination rates are low.
Until recently China has focused on city wide quarantines, mass testing, and travel restrictions to keep the virus at bay. Thus, over the course of the pandemic, where much of the world got infected, most people in China were kept from getting sick with variants that have spread over the last three years and now pose a great threat to the Chinese public.
North Korea ICBM Test
Photo taken from: Reuters
North Korea last week tested a high-thrust solid-fuel intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM). Compared to liquid propellant missiles, those that use solid-fuel are quicker, more mobile, and can be launched with little to no preparation time. North Korea has conducted numerous missile tests this year, including an ICBM capable of reaching the mainland United States despite international bans and sanctions. The latest test came as International Atomic Energy Agency chief, Rafael Grossi, was in South Korea for talks with officials. During the talks, he vowed an all-out effort to stop North Korea’s nuclear programme. The ICBM tests come on the heels of growing tension on the peninsula.
Earlier last month joint military drills between the US and South Korea angered the North and prompted more displays of military might. South Korean and US officials have also claimed that the North is likely working towards conducting a nuclear test, which would be the first since 2017 and poses serious threats to the environment and human health.
The increased tests by North Korea has also led Japan to increase its military budget, its largest military buildup since the second World War. The five-year plan, once unthinkable in Japan which renounced military provocation following its defeat and atomic bombing in WWII, would make the country the world’s third-biggest military spender after the US and China.
Protests in Peru
Photo taken from: Alessandro Cinque / Reuters
Recently ousted Peruvian president Pedro Castillo, who was impeached after he announced plans to dissolve congress and install an emergency government, has been sentenced to an extra 18 months of pre-trial detention. The office of Peru’s Attorney General said Castillo had been arrested for the alleged crime of rebellion, “for violating the constitutional order”. Castillo supporters have been gathering outside the jail where he is detained, holding up banners calling for the resignation of new President Dina Boluarte and for Congress to be closed.
Unrest from the protests has affected the country’s tourism industry. Around 5,000 tourists are stranded in Cusco after the airport was closed when protesters attempted to storm the terminals. Thus far, at least 15 people are reported to have been killed in clashes with police during a week of protests. Peru has suffered through years of political instability and recent events demonstrate the deadly nature of the turmoil.
The Ukraine Crisis: Situation Update #17
The Ukraine Crisis: Situation Update #17
Foreign Policy Brief #157 | By: Abran C | December 16, 2022
Header photo taken from: Nation World
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Photo taken from: Michael Probst / Associated Press
This is the latest in a series of updates on the fast-breaking developments in the Russia-Ukraine conflict.
US-Ukraine Military
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The US military has announced that it would be expanding its training of Ukrainian military personnel in Germany. Pentagon spokesman Brigadier General Patrick Ryder said the new training would include approximately 500 Ukrainians per month and would not require any increase in US troop deployments to Europe.
Additionally, this week the US also announced it would send the Patriot air defence system to Ukraine, something Ukrainian President Zelensky has sought out for some time. Though the system is often deployed as a battalion which includes four batteries, Ukraine will be receiving only one. The weapon system is a long range air defence system that counters missiles. The Patriot system costs about four million dollars per round and the launchers themselves cost 10 million each and thus are not very cost effective to combat the dramatically cheaper and more expendable Iranian drones that Russia has been using in its strikes.
A Patriot battery also needs as many as 90 troops to operate and maintain it. There has been a stumbling block for months in providing the complex system because sending the forces equipped to use the system into Ukraine to operate it is a non-starter for the Biden administration. The increased training the US has committed to providing to Ukranian troops will likely aid the ability of Ukraine to use more advanced weaponry, though this also will likely anger Russia and cause more friction between Moscow and Washington. Russia’s embassy in Washington said the proposed transfer was provocative and could lead to “unpredictable consequences”.
War in the Winter
Photo taken from: Reuters / Mykola Synelnykov
The past few weeks have seen fierce fighting throughout Ukraine without significant changes in captured or liberated territory. Additionally neither side has shown any willingness for negotiations despite the stalemate. Russia on Monday fired 70 missiles into Ukrainian cities such as Kyiv, Vinnytsia and Odessa. Sixty of the 70 missiles were intercepted, but those that did hit their targets further damaged energy infrastructure, which in some cases had just been fixed after being previously struck.
Russia said the strikes were in retaliation for Ukraines strike on two military bases hundreds of miles deep into Russias borders, the deepest attack into Russian territory thus far. As a result of Russias strikes more than 1.5 million people in Ukraine’s southern Odesa region are now without power as winter is in full swing. Russia continues to attack energy infrastructure in order to impose blackouts and use the frigid Ukranian winters as a weapon of war.
Ukraine for the first time revealed numbers of its military deaths which currently stand at 10,000 to 13,000. Additionally the UN estimates the number of civilian deaths to be at about 17,000, a figure believed to be an underestimation. A third of the population or 14 million people, remain displaced as a result of the war: 6.5 million inside Ukraine and more than 7.8 million in the rest of Europe.
Prisoner Swap
Photo taken from: The Associated Press
On December 8, 2022 US basketball star Brittney Griner was released from prison in Russia in exchange for Russian arms dealer Viktor Bout who was serving a 25 year sentence in the US. Bout also known as the “merchant of death”, was implicated in violating multiple UN arms embargoes in Angola, Sierra Leone, Liberia and the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Since returning home it is reported that Bout has joined the Russian ultranationalist Liberal Democratic Party (LDPR). The LDPR espouses hardline ultranationalist ideologies such as demands that Russia reconquer the countries of the former Soviet Union.
In recent years, the party has assumed a subordinate role in Russia’s political system but provides token opposition to Putin’s ruling United Russia party, while remaining aligned with the Kremlin on most issues. In Russia, Bout’s release was viewed as a victory for the Kremlin and proponents of the war in Ukraine. Meanwhile, President Joe Biden in addition to praise for bringing an innocent pawn in a game of geopolitics home, has also faced criticism for agreeing to the exchange at all, with critics citing the huge disparity in the severity of charges against Bout and Griner.
Legislative Priorities for the New Congress, Part 2
Legislative Priorities For The New Congress, Part 2
U.S. Resist News Op Ed | By: U.S. Resist News | December 15, 2022
Header photo taken from: iStock Photo
Read Part 1 Here
Photo taken from: CNN
Foreign Policy
Photo taken from: Reuters /Lintao Zhang / Pool
Although Congress is still largely supportive of Ukraine’s war against Russia, there are some Senator and Representatives who feel we have done enough and need to scale back. (And there also are a few crazy Republicans with pro-Russian sentiments).
At U.S. RESIST NEWS we feel it is time to explore the possibilities of a negotiated end to the conflict or, at a minimum a cease-fire. Too much blood has been spilled and both sides seem determined to keep fighting no matter what. Congress should support efforts to bring together a conference of the parties and explore whether an agreement can be reached to bring an end to the fighting.
President Biden and Congress also need to speak out more forcefully in support of the wave of protests that seem to be engulfing many autocratic countries, such as China, Iran, and Russia. The President often notes that we are in the midst of a global battle between autocracies and democracies. This battle will only be won if citizens of autocratic countries advocate for democratic reforms. Declarations of support for the universal right to protest will encourage them to do so.
Technology
Photo taken from: PYMNTS
The seemingly all intrusive use of Internet and social media technology in our lives is one of the most overlooked areas of US public policy. Congress has been reluctant to step in and regulate large technology companies like Amazon, Apple, Google and Microsoft. The power and monopolistic wealth of these companies has grown unchallenged. They have abused our rights as citizens with their intrusion into our private lives, and they threaten our democracy with their support of the spread of misinformation and hatred.
The European Union’s Digital Services Act (DSA) and Digital Markets Act (DSM) offer a model for the US to emulate. These Acts aim to create a safer digital space where the fundamental rights of users are protected and a level playing field for businesses is established.
US based technology companies operating in Europe are subject to the provisions of the DSA and DSM and already several of them, e.g. Microsoft, have been fined for their violations of these Acts. There are rumors that members of Congress on both sides of the aisle are looking into adopting components of the EU regulations to the US.
While regulating technology’s abuses of our right to privacy seems possible, we still have a long way to go in regulating technology’s spread of misinformation, hatred and violence. As far as we know there have not been any efforts to date to introduce legislation that addresses this issue though there is a great need to do so.
Marriage and Reproductive Rights
Photo taken from: Jonathan Ernst, Reuters
The Supreme Court’s overturn of Roe v. Wade earlier this year resulted in many state banning the 50 year old right to an abortion. This had led to a large-scale backlash against the court’s decision; a backlash that influenced the success that Democrats had in the recent mid-terms.
Unfortunately the makeup of the new Congress will not enable it to pass a law to reverse the Court’s decision. Instead the efforts of pro-abortion supporters has switched to the States. In recent months several states—-e.g. Michigan, Colorado, Kentucky—— have passed laws enshrining a woman’s right to an abortion in their constitution. We expect more will do so in the coming months.
The Supreme Court also has expressed interest in curtailing LGBTQ rights, which has led Congress to just pass the Respect for Marriage Act. The Act requires the government to recognize the validity of same-sex and interracial marriages in the United States, and protect religious liberty. However it does not go so far as to require states to permit same-sex marriages, which is what has left some progressives disappointed. Instead, it requires the federal government to recognize same-sex marriages performed in states where they are legal.
The Economy
Photo taken from: Associated Press / Steven Senne
The economy should be front and center on the minds of most politicians. It usually is the issue most acutely on voters’ minds and on which many elections are won and lost. (The recent mid-term elections being an exception due to the importance of abortion rights as an issue, the prevalence of many hard-to-elect crazy Republican candidates, and the conflicting data on the status of the economy.)
In the short term-there are immediate economic policy decisions that law-makers need to make such as funding to keep the government in operation and extending the debt ceiling. While these issues often are an excuse for grandstanding by a few Senators and Representatives, they stand a good chance of passing as no one wants to be put in the position of shutting down the government or having the US default on its debt.
There are other more contentious economic issues that are likely to get a hearing by the new Congress but will probably not have enough support to result in the passage of new legislation. These include a tax on billionaires, and right wing plans to reform of social security. Efforts to rein in inflation through the use of monetary and fiscal policy, with the White House and Federal Reserve taking the lead, will no doubt continue.