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Trump's Tariff Tirade. Tariff Chaos Continues. The MAGA Path to Pardons. Putin Plays Trump-Again. Big Beautiful Bill Backlash. Flawed RFK, Jr. Report. Musk's Tragic Legacy. 2028 Democrats. With Linda Feldmann, White House Correspondent and Washington Bureau Chief for The Christian Science Monitor, Phillip Bump, Columnist for the Washington Post and author of the How to Read This Chart Newsletter and Evan McMorris-Santoro, Reporter for NOTUS and writer for NOTUS Reports daily newsletter. Today's Bill Press Pod is supported by The United Food and Commercial Workers Union. More information at UFCW.orgSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
We have The Lever's Luke Goldstein on today to talk about the GENIUS Act & its implications, including that oligarchs might be able to issue their own private currency if it's signed into law. Check out Luke's piece here: https://www.levernews.com/get-ready-to-pay-in-zuckbucks/ Then Sam talks to members of United Food and Commercial Workers will be picketing in Worcester, Mass tomorrow as they negotiate a new contract before the current one expires in just over a week. If you want to show support and get a free MR T shirt, head to their picket at UMass Memorial in Worcester with a pizza and send us a pic to Majority Reporters (at) Gmail. Also, contact Mass Memorial directly to tell them you support UFCW's members: https://www.massgeneral.org/contact And / or send them some love on their FB page: https://www.facebook.com/ufcwlocal1445/ And tell the local paper in Worcester to cover this story: https://help.telegram.com/contact-us In the Fun Half, Piers Morgan finally uses the G word when describing what's happening in Gaza. Republicans are getting an assist of sorts from Senate Democrats to push through Trump's Big Beautiful Bill, though Schumer and co. certainly don't want you to see it that way. Here's David Dayen's reporting on how Senate Dems could do something to stop it should they want to: https://prospect.org/politics/2025-05-28-senate-democrats-stop-big-beautiful-bill/ And finally, theoretical physicist Sean Carroll absolutely mops the floor with Eric Weinstein's physics musings. Become a member at JoinTheMajorityReport.com: https://fans.fm/majority/join Follow us on TikTok here!: https://www.tiktok.com/@majorityreportfm Check us out on Twitch here!: https://www.twitch.tv/themajorityreport Find our Rumble stream here!: https://rumble.com/user/majorityreport Check out our alt YouTube channel here!: https://www.youtube.com/majorityreportlive Gift a Majority Report subscription here: https://fans.fm/majority/gift Subscribe to the ESVN YouTube channel here: https://www.youtube.com/esvnshow Subscribe to the AMQuickie newsletter here: https://am-quickie.ghost.io/ Join the Majority Report Discord! https://majoritydiscord.com/ Get all your MR merch at our store: https://shop.majorityreportradio.com/ Get the free Majority Report App!: https://majority.fm/app Go to https://JustCoffee.coop and use coupon code majority to get 10% off your purchase! Check out today's sponsors: LIQUID IV: Get 20% off your first order at LIQUIDIV.COM Use code MAJORITYREP at checkout BLUELAND: Right now, get 15% off your first order by going to Blueland.com/majority • JUST COFFEE: Go to https://JustCoffee.coop and use coupon code MAJORITY for 10% off your purchase! Follow the Majority Report crew on Twitter: @SamSeder @EmmaVigeland @MattLech @RussFinkelstein Check out Matt's show, Left Reckoning, on Youtube, and subscribe on Patreon! https://www.patreon.com/leftreckoning Check out Matt Binder's YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/mattbinder Subscribe to Brandon's show The Discourse on Patreon! https://www.patreon.com/ExpandTheDiscourse Check out Ava Raiza's music here! https://avaraiza.bandcamp.com/ The Majority Report with Sam Seder – https://majorityreportradio.com/
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While Bill is on a research and writing sabbatical for the next 6 weeks we decided it's important to revisit the horrors we laid out in our Project 2025 podcast series, Trump's Project 2025: Up Close and Personal – and tie them to what's actually happened so far. Chapter One depicts how the lives of everyday Americans would be impacted by the policies outlined in Trump's Project 2025 and the return of Donald Trump to power. The fictional story follows Ammon Maher, a college student and immigrant, as he is detained and deported without due process due to his involvement in past campus protests. This narrative directly reflects Trump's campaign promises and current actions to crack down on student protesters and his administration's policies that target undocumented immigrants. The author of the serialized “2025: A Novel” upon which this podcast series is based, David Pepper, highlights how these policies are being implemented right now. We hope the re-running and updating of the podcast series will encourage even more people to stand up to Donald Trump, strengthen our courage to resist, and lead to a total rejection of Donald Trump and the anti-democratic MAGA movement in 2026.. You can read Chapter One of David Pepper's “2025: A Novel” at davidpepper.substack.com/p/2025-a-novelThis episode is supported by The United Food and Commercial Workers Union. More information at UFCW.orgSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Tarriff Debacle. Trump Defiant. Negotiation Ploy? Countries Fight Back. GOP is Nervous. Margin Slips in Florida Races. Musk Loses Wisconsin Race. Musk White House Turmoil. New Mothers Fight Johnson. Laura Loomer Flex. Booker's Very Very Long Fight. With Sudeep Reddy, Senior Managing Editor at Politico, Nikki Schwab, Chief Political Campaign Correspondent at the Daily Mail and John Bennett, White House Correspondent at CQ Roll Call.Today's Bill Press Pod is supported by The United Food and Commercial Workers Union. More information at UFCW.orgSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Backlash to Trump. Tariff Uncertainty. Markets Down. Inflation Risk to GOP. Musk's Power Fading? Cuts Hurting Red States. Education Dept. Done? Trump's Rally at Congress. Dems Fumble Response. Dems Bad Hand. Dems Need a Leader. With John Bennett, White House Correspondent & Editor-at-Large, CQ Roll Call, Kirk Bado, Editor, National Journal Hotline and Evan McMorris-Santoro, Reporter and NOTUS Daily Newsletter writer.Today's Bill Press Pod is supported by The United Food and Commercial Workers Union. More information at UFCW.org.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Behind the scenes of the Anne Frank exhibit. Also, an inside look into how one non-profit is using sports to teach life skills. Plus, Eric Legrand shares how he's using bourbon to raise awareness and money for a cause that has become his life's purpose. And, Emily Weinstein whips up a unique pasta dish for an easy weeknight dinner.
Musk in the Oval. Mass Firings. GOP Afraid of Trump. Where Are the Democrats? “The Price of Eggs.” Cuts Will Hurt. Trump Bans AP Reporters. Trump's Own Gulf. Cabinet Forced Through. Constitutional Crisis. Trump Takes The Kennedy Center. With Geoff Earle, US Deputy Political Editor, Mail Online, Sudeep Reddy, Senior Managing Editor at Politico and Linda Feldmann, Washington Bureau Chief, White House/Politics Correspondent at Christian Science Monitor.Today's Bill Press Pod is supported by The United Food and Commercial Workers Union, More information at UFCW.org.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
UW Health System nurses and supporters speak up before a Wisconsin Supreme Court hearing on their union's status under the Wisconsin Employee Peace Act, Labor Radio holds interviews before the Tuesday election for Wisconsin Director of Public Instruction, workers at a North Carolina Amazon facility are voting on whether they will be represented by Carolina Amazonians United for Solidarity and Empowerment (CAUSE), Oregon nurses at eight hospitals run by Providence Health voted down a tentative agreement and their strike enters its second month, United Food and Commercial Workers grocery store employees of Kroger in Colorado and Wyoming vote to strike, labor and civil rights fighter Coleman Young becomes Mayor of Detroit, and there are a number of labor-sponsored events this week in the Madison area.
Wendell Young IV, President of United Food and Commercial Workers Local 1776 Keystone State, joined America's Work Force Union Podcast to discuss the recent unionization of Whole Foods workers in Philadelphia, the organizing process, the company's anti-union tactics and the future of labor relations with the parent company, Amazon. Jon Schleuss, President of The NewsGuild-Communication Workers of America, joined America's Work Force Union Podcast to discuss the impact of recent changes to the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB), the ongoing strike at the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette and the impressive number of first contracts secured by The NewsGuild in 2024.
Ralph welcomes Deepa Padmanabha, senior legal advisor to Greenpeace USA, to discuss that organization's looming trial against Energy Transfer Partners (builder of the Dakota Access Pipeline at Standing Rock) that threatens the constitutionally protected First Amendment right of citizens and citizen groups to protest. Plus, Josh Paul, former State Department employee, who resigned in protest over the Biden Administration's policy of sending weapons to support Israel's genocide in Gaza, returns to tell us about an organization he co-founded called “A New Policy,” which as the name suggests envisions an American policy toward the Middle East more in line with the “foundational principles of liberty, equality, democracy, and human rights; advancing American interests abroad; and protecting American freedoms at home.”Deepa Padmanabha is Senior Legal Advisor at Greenpeace USA, where she works closely with environmental activists seeking to exercise their First Amendment rights to promote systemic change. In September 2022, she testified before the House Committee on Oversight and Reform on Greenpeace USA's experience with legal attacks from extractive industries and the importance of federal anti-SLAPP legislation. And her work has focused on defending Greenpeace entities in the US against two SLAPP lawsuits attempting to silence the organization's advocacy work.This was not a Greenpeace campaign—and that was very intentional. And so our very limited involvement was solidarity with the Indigenous tribes, the Indigenous water protectors that were carrying this fight…Personally, I don't think that Energy Transfer likes the optics of going after Indigenous people. I think that it's much easier to go after the “Big Greens”, the “agitators”, things like that—and they probably would be dealing with a much more difficult PR campaign if they went after members of tribes.Deepa PadmanabhaBack in 2016 and 2017, when the original civil RICO cases were filed against the Greenpeace entities (all of these fights started out as RICO), many groups across issue areas were deeply concerned that this would be the new tactic used to go to attack labor, to attack human rights, to attack every kind of organization imaginable. And so what we did at that time (Greenpeace USA was a part of it as well as other groups) is we've created a coalition called Protect the Protest. Protect the Protest is a coalition of organizations to provide support for individuals who are threatened with SLAPPs, who receive cease-and-desist letters, who might want help either finding a lawyer or communication support. Because we know that the individuals bringing these lawsuits want the fights to happen in silence. So a big part of the work that needs to be done—and that we do—is to bring attention to them.Deepa PadmanabhaPast SLAPP lawsuits by corporations intended to wear down the citizen groups, cost them all kinds of legal fees. There have been SLAPP lawsuits for citizen groups just having a news conference or citizen groups being part of a town meeting. Or in the case of Oprah Winfrey, who was sued by at Texas meat company because she had a critic of the meat industry on her show that reached millions of people. That case was settled. So, this is the furthest extension of suppression of free speech by these artificial entities called corporations.Ralph NaderJosh Paul is co-founder (with Tariq Habash) of A New Policy, which seeks to transform U.S. foreign policy in the Middle East. He resigned from the State Department in October 2023 due to his disagreement with the Biden Administration's decision to rush lethal military assistance to Israel in the context of its war on Gaza. He had previously spent over 11 years working as a Director in the Bureau of Political-Military Affairs, which is responsible for U.S. defense diplomacy, security assistance, and arms transfers. He previously worked on security sector reform in both Iraq and the West Bank, with additional roles in the Office of the Secretary of Defense, U.S. Army Staff, and as a Military Legislative Assistant for a Member of the U.S. House Armed Services Committee.I think that the time for quitting in protest over Gaza, unfortunately, in many ways, is greatly behind us. I think there will be a significant number of State Department officials who will be leaving in the coming days, weeks, and months. And this is a result of a push from the Trump administration to gut America's diplomatic corps, much as they did at the start of the previous Trump administration, but even more so this time around. What I'm hearing from former colleagues in the State Department is a sense of immense despair as they see freezes being placed on U.S. foreign assistance programs—including programs that do an immense amount of good around the world—and just a concern about the overall and impending collapse of American diplomacy.Josh PaulWe have to acknowledge the precedent set by President Biden. Not only in his unconditional support for Israel and its attacks on Gaza, its violations of international humanitarian law, but also in President Biden and Secretary Blinken's willingness to set aside U.S. laws when it came to, in particular, security assistance and arms transfers in order to continue that support. That is a precedent that I think all Americans should be concerned about regardless of their thoughts on the conflict itself.Josh PaulI would say that what we face in America is a problem set that runs much deeper than any change in administration, than any political party. There is an entrenched dynamic within American politics—an entrenched set of both political and economic incentives across our electoral system—that are maintaining U.S. unconditional support for Israel, regardless of what the American people might want.Josh PaulNews 1/31/251. Our top stories this week have to do with the betrayal of the so-called “Make America Healthy Again” or “MAHA” movement. First up, Robert F. Kennedy Jr. – President Trump's nominee to lead the Department of Health of Human Services – found himself in the hot seat Wednesday as his confirmation hearings began. Kennedy, who is facing opposition both from Democrats who regard his anti-vaccine rhetoric as dangerous and Republicans who view him as too liberal, struggled to answer basic questions during these hearings. Perhaps most distressingly, he shilled for the disastrous Medicare privatization scheme known as “Medicare Advantage,” at one point saying that he himself is on a Medicare Advantage plan and that “more people would rather be on Medicare Advantage.” Kennedy went on to say most Americans would prefer to be on private insurance. As Matt Stoller of the American Economic Liberties Project writes, this is “basically Cato [Institute] style libertarianism.”2. Meanwhile, the Trump Administration is signaling they intend to scrap a proposed EPA rule to ban “forever chemicals” from Americans' drinking water, per the Spokesman-Review out of Spokane, Washington. Per this piece, “perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances, abbreviated PFAS, are a set of man-made chemicals used in thousands of products over the decades. High levels of them have…been linked to cancers, heart disease, high cholesterol, thyroid disease, low birth weight and other diseases.” Shelving PFAS regulation was high on the Heritage Foundation's Project 2025 wish list, though the Trump team had previously sent mixed messages on the topic. Trump's pick to oversee regulation of dangerous chemicals is Nancy Beck, a longtime executive at the American Chemistry Council.3. As if those betrayals weren't enough, Trump has also selected Ms. Kailee Buller as the Chief of Staff for the U.S. Department of Agriculture. For the past year, Buller has served as president & CEO of the National Oilseed Processors Association. More simply put, she is the top seed oil lobbyist in the nation. This is perhaps the most illustrative example of the MAHA bait and switch. Not only is the Trump administration spitting in the face of their own supporters and doing the opposite of what they promised in terms of cracking down on ultra-processed, unhealthy food – they are doing so in an openly and brazenly corrupt manner. Under Trump, regulatory agencies are on the auction block and will be sold to the highest bidder.4. In more health news, legendary investigative journalist Seymour Hersh has come out with a new story – and it's a doozy. According to Hersh's sources, the Trump administration mishandled the COVID-19 pandemic long before the public knew anything about the virus. He writes “I learned this week that a US intelligence asset at the Wuhan Institute of Virology in China, where the Covid virus was first observed…provided early warning of a laboratory accident at Wuhan that led to a series of infections that was quickly spreading and initially seemed immune to treatment.” Hersh continues “early studies dealing with how to mitigate the oncoming plague, based on information from the Chinese health ministry about the lethal new virus, were completed late in 2019 by experts from America's National Institutes of Health and other research agencies.” Yet, “Despite their warnings, a series of preventative actions were not taken until the United States was flooded with cases of the virus.” Most damningly, Hersh's sources claim that “All of these studies…have been expunged from the official internal records in Washington, including any mention of the CIA's source inside the Chinese laboratory.” If true, this would be among the most catastrophic cases of indecision – and most sweeping coverup – in modern American history. Watch this space.5. Meanwhile, in more foreign affairs news, Progressive International reports that “For the first time in history,” Members of the United States Congress have joined with Members of Mexico's Cámara de Diputados to “oppose the escalating threats of U.S. military action against Mexico” and call to “strengthen the bonds of solidarity between our peoples.” This move of course comes amid ever-rising tensions between the United States and our southern neighbor, particularly as the GOP has in recent years taken up the idea of a full-blown invasion of Mexico. This letter was signed by many prominent U.S. progressives, including Rashida Tlaib, Ilhan Omar, Summer Lee, AOC, Greg Casar and Raul Grijalva, as well as 23 Mexican deputies. One can only hope that this show of internationalism helps forestall further escalation with Mexico.6. Turning to the issue of corruption, former New Jersey Senator Robert Menendez was sentenced to 11 years in prison for his role in a bribery scheme that included him acting as an unregistered agent of the Egyptian government, per the DOJ. Until 2024, Menendez had served as the Chairman or Ranking Member of the powerful Senate Foreign Relations Committee – an ideal perch for a crooked politician. During sentencing, Menendez broke down and weepily begged the judge for leniency. Yet, almost immediately after the sentence was handed down, Menendez changed his tune and started sucking up to Trump in a transparent attempt to secure a pardon. Axios reports Menendez said “President Trump was right…This process is political, and it's corrupted to the core. I hope President Trump cleans up the cesspool and restores the integrity to the system.” Unfortunately, Trump's fragile ego makes him particularly susceptible to just this sort of appeal, so it would be no surprise if he does grant some form of clemency to the disgraced Senator.7. Likewise, New York City Mayor Eric Adams appears to feel the walls closing in with regard to his corrupt dealings with his Turkish benefactors. And just like Menendez, Adams' strategy appears to be to ingratiate himself with Trump world. On January 23rd, the New York Daily News reported that Adams had pledged to avoid publicly criticizing Trump. Adams has previously called Trump a “white supremacist.” Adams' simpering seems to having the intended effect. On January 29th, the New York Times reported “Senior Justice Department officials under President Trump have held discussions with federal prosecutors in Manhattan about the possibility of dropping their corruption case,” against Adams. This story notes that “The defense team is led by Alex Spiro, who is also the personal lawyer for Elon Musk.”8. Our final three stories this week have to do with organized labor. First, Bloomberg labor reporter Josh Eidelson reports Trump has ousted National Labor Relations Board General Counsel Jennifer Abruzzo. This alone is a tragedy; Abruzzo has been nothing short of a crusader on behalf of organized labor during her tenure. Yet, more troubling news quickly followed: Trump has unlawfully sacked Gwynne Wilcox a Democratic member of the labor board with no just cause. As Eidelson notes, the law forbids “firing board members absent neglect or malfeasance.” Wilcox was the first ever Black member of the NLRB and her unlawful removal gives Trump a working majority at the board. Expect to see a rapid slew of anti-worker decisions in the coming days.9. In some good news, independent journalist Ken Klippenstein reports that union collective bargaining agreements have successfully “thwart[ed]…Trump's return to work order.” Instead, the administration has been forced to issue a new order, stating “Supervisors should not begin discussions around the return to in-person work with bargaining unit employees until HHS fulfills its collective bargaining obligations.” In other words, even while every supposed legal guardrail, institutional norm, and political force of gravity wilts before Trump's onslaught, what is the one bulwark that still stands strong, protecting everyday working people? Their union.10. Our final story is a simple one. Jacobin labor journalist Alex Press reports that in Philadelphia, the first Whole Foods grocery store has voted to unionize. The nearly-300 workers at the store voted to affiliate with United Food and Commercial Workers Local 1176. Whole Foods was sold to Amazon in 2017 and since then the e-tail giant has vigorously staved off unionization. Could this be the first crack in the dam? Only time will tell.This has been Francesco DeSantis, with In Case You Haven't Heard. Get full access to Ralph Nader Radio Hour at www.ralphnaderradiohour.com/subscribe
The South Central Federation of Labor and Worker Justice Wisconsin plan trainings on workers rights and organized labor joining with immigrant workers ahead of expected Trump administration assaults, the Madison Labor Temple will be sold, a Mexican professor speaks on immigration and the US economy, Wisconsin construction giant Findorff is now under a full employee stock ownership plan, Trump goes after not only the NLRB general counsel but also a term-protected board member, Wisconsin Second Congressional District Representative Mark Pocan holds a post-election Town Hall at the Madison Labor Temple, a Whole Foods store in Philadelphia joins the United Food and Commercial Workers, Amazon doesn't like union organizing so it is ending operation across the Province of Quebec, and unionized stores and Starbucks management announce contract mediation.
Trump's back in and tearing up the Constitution, the Federal Government and the World Order. What can elected Democrats do? In this pod, Bill talks with Congressman Mark Pocan of Wisconsin. He is a a long-time advocate for progressive policies. He was sworn in as the U.S. Representative for Wisconsin's second congressional district in 2013. A small business owner, union member, Rep. Pocan fights for policies that promote economic and social justice. In the current Congress, he serves on the House Appropriations Committee where he sits on the Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education Subcommittee; and the Financial Services and General Government Subcommittee. He is Chair of the Equality Caucus, Co-Chair of the Labor Caucus, and Chair Emeritus of the Congressional Progressive Caucus.Today's Bill Press Pod is supported by the United Food and Commercial Workers Union. More information at UFCW.org.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
DOD-Hegseth In. DOJ-Bondi In. DNI-Gabbard?? Trump Dumps Turner. Biden's Warning. TikTok Survives. Day One Exec. Orders. Deep Freeze Inauguration. With Linda Feldmann, Washington Bureau Chief and White House-Politics Correspondent for The Christian Science Monitor, Jason Dick, Editor in Chief at CQ-Roll Call and Arthur Delaney, Senior Politics Reporter at Huff Post. Today's Bill Press Pod is supported by The United Food and Commercial Workers Union. More information at UFCW.orgSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
In this episode, an in-depth discussion of the life and legacy of former U.S. President Jimmy Carter, as seen through the eyes of presidential historian Jonathan Alter. The key points: Carter's remarkable journey from a relatively unknown Georgia governor to becoming the 39th U.S. President, and how the Watergate scandal helped propel him to the White House despite low initial poll numbers. Carter's presidency is often misremembered as a failure, but Alter argues that while Carter struggled politically, he was a "substantive and often visionary success" who achieved significant legislative and foreign policy accomplishments. Carter's post-presidency is highlighted as a model for how former presidents can continue to serve the public, through initiatives like the Carter Center, election monitoring, and Habitat for Humanity. The crucial role and influence of First Lady Rosalyn Carter is emphasized, with Alter describing her as one of the most important and impactful First Ladies in history. The depth of the Carter's 77-year marriage is also noted as an extraordinary love story. Overall, the interview provides a comprehensive and sympathetic reassessment of Jimmy Carter's life and legacy, underscoring his many substantive achievements. You can subscribe to Jonathan Alter's newsletter, Old Goats at OldGoats.substack.com and buy his biography of Jimmy Carter, His Very Best: Jimmy Carter, a Life here. Or his latest book, American Reckoning: Inside Trump's Trial―and My Own here.Today's Bill Press Pod is supported by the United Food and Commercial Workers Union. More information at UFCW.orgSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Today's guest is David Corn, the Washington Bureau Chief for Mother Jones, the progressive magazine and website. He is also and MSNBC contributor. He and Bill talk about the slate of cabinet nominees selected by President Trump, highlighting concerns about their lack of qualifications, experience, and potential conflicts of interest. David says Trump has assembled a "crank" cabinet of "cronies and oligarchs" who are unqualified and inexperienced for their positions, such as Peter Hegseth for Secretary of Defense and Tulsi Gabbard for Director of National Intelligence. Many of the nominees, like Robert F. Kennedy Jr. for Health and Human Services, hold extreme ideological views that are at odds with the mission of the agencies they would lead. Key Trump loyalist Kash Patel, who has pushed conspiracy theories about the Russia investigation, could use his position as FBI Director to go after Trump's political enemies. David is concerned that the media and some corporations appear to be pre-emptively caving to Trump, settling lawsuits and making donations to curry favor rather than standing up to his attacks on the press and democratic institutions. He also criticizes Democrats for not doing enough to forcefully oppose these problematic nominations and Trump's broader authoritarian agenda.David writes a great newsletter, “Our Land,” which you can get here: MotherJones.com/OurLandNewsletter.Today's Podcast is supported by The United Food and Commercial Workers Union. More information at UFCW.com. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Live from an ESG-scented 100% cotton unisex onesie, it's an all-new Terrific Tuesday edition of Business Pants. Joined by Analyst-Hole Matt Moscardi! On today's anti-anti-DEI lovefest called December 17th 2024: Random ESG Headlines That I Care About Because Somebody Has To Care About Something and Changing the Methodology for Fortune 100 Most Powerful Executives!Our show today is being sponsored by Free Float Analytics, the only platform measuring board power, connections, and performance for FREE.DAMION1Random ESG Headlines That I Care About Because Somebody Has To Care About Something:Walmart is the 2024 Yahoo Finance Company of the YearThe legacy retailer, once seen as slow to adopt technology as Amazon (AMZN) rose to the forefront, has quietly invested in everything from artificial intelligence and augmented reality to same-day delivery and cheap groceries. The combo punch has led to nearly four quarters of record earnings — and a title as Yahoo Finance's annual Company of the Year award winner.A committee of Yahoo Finance editorial leaders selected Walmart because of its strong year of sales and profits, financial outperformance relative to key rivals like Target (TGT), and a stock price that has reached fresh records in 2024.Another unknown is the impact of Walmart's Nov. 26 decision to scale back its DEI work amid right-wing pressure. The decision came a few days after our interviews with McMillon and Rainey, at which time Walmart had already secured its Yahoo Finance Company of the Year recognition.In a Dec. 2 phone call with Yahoo Finance, Walmart's chief people officer, Donna Morris, defended the company's choice:"We are the exact same company today as we were last week, and we will continue to be the same company," Morris said. "We act with integrity, we serve our customers and our members, and we strive for excellence. So our values are absolutely not changing.""Our values are absolutely not changing, the specific initiatives or terms, they change over time," she continued. The company started moving to "belonging" in early 2023, though Morris said the move wasn't due to pressure from any specific group."When you talk about diversity, equity, inclusion, all in part, there can be communities, and often the largest communities, that step back and say, 'Geez, I'm not sure if I'm even actually included'," Morris explained of the decision.After Floyd's murder, a "majority" of companies felt the need to boost their DEI efforts, but now they are reevaluating. "What we observed and felt was really important is that everyone was part of that work, and that's why we really made the shift," Morris said.‘A huge regression': Walmart's DEI rollback incites new racial equity pushA year after the murder of George Floyd, Doug McMillon, CEO of Walmart had a warning for corporate America. The death of Floyd triggered a wave of protest over systemic racism and was “not an isolated event. We have a long history of racism, and we see unacceptable events continue.”Walmart and other large US corporations made pledges to address inequities within their business, ones many feared would be dropped once the focus on Floyd's killing and its aftermath faded. “We can't let that be the case,” he wrote, outlining how the company was releasing its “diversity metrics twice a year” and calling on companies to “continue to address systemic racism and the structural inequities that are rooted in this nation's history of slavery and that persist today”.Times have changed. Last month Walmart became the latest corporation to cave to a rightwing campaign against diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) initiatives, announcing it would stop using the term DEI altogether, drop DEI trainings, no longer consider race and gender as a means to improve diversity when making offers to suppliers and would not renew a racial equity center committed to addressing “the root causes of gaps in outcomes experienced by Black and African American people”.The union-backed Walmart workers group United for Respect has tried to introduce a shareholder proposal at Walmart's past two annual shareholder meetings for a third-party independent racial equity audit of the corporation.The racial equity shareholder proposal has come up short of the 20% support it would need for Walmart to discuss it, receiving 18% in 2023 and just over 15% in 2024. Hightower said she planned on reintroducing it at the 2025 annual shareholder meeting in Arkansas.Why Tarang Amin, CEO of E.l.f. Beauty, is Modern CEO of the YearModern CEO set out to recognize an executive who embodies the traits and values we've been covering in this newsletter for the last two years: inclusion, accessibility, humility, and innovationEarlier this year, E.l.f. proclaimed its commitment to diversity when it launched “Change the Board Game,” a campaign to encourage corporate board diversity. “I'm proud to say that our board has 78% women and 44% diverse representation,” Amin tells Modern CEO. “We've seen the power in our own business of having that type of representation, but we don't want to be the only company.” As part of its board diversity effort, the company sponsored 20 diverse candidates for a National Association of Corporate Director's program for boardroom readiness and grabbed headlines with its “So Many Dicks” research that found there are more men named Richard, Rich, Rick, or Dick on U.S. public company boards than entire groups of underrepresented candidates. “There's nothing wrong with being a Richard or a Dick,” Amin says with a smile. “I just want to make room for everyone else.”Honorable MentionsBijal Shah, CEO, GuildShantanu Narayen, CEO, AdobeTammy Sun, founder and CEO, Carrot FertilityUnion coalition calls for Kroger CEO's removal amid buyback controversyKroger has shifted strategy with $7.5bn stock buyback after Albertsons merger setback.A faction of the US trades union United Food and Commercial Workers (UFCW) has called for the ousting of Kroger CEO Rodney McMullen in the wake of a controversial $7.5bn stock buyback announcement. The move follows an unsuccessful attempt to consolidate its position in the grocery market by merging with Albertsons. The Stop the Merger coalition, spearheaded by several UFCW local unions, contends that the substantial buyback initiative is ill-timed, arguing that the company should prioritise investments in workforce enhancement, store maintenance and renovations. The potential $25bn merger between Kroger and Albertsons was halted in early December 2024 when a federal judge issued an injunction against the deal, citing concerns over reduced competition in the grocery market. Starbucks CEO doubles parental leave amid turnaround effortStarting this spring, the company will double its paid parental leave benefits. For some workers, it's as much as three times the original amount. For instance, paid leave for birth mothers is increasing from six to 18 weeks. All other non-birth parents – whether welcoming a child through birth, surrogacy, adoption or long-term foster care – will receive up to 12 weeks of paid leave at 100% of their average pay, according to Starbucks. For employees to be eligible for benefits, they need to work an average of 20 hours per week, according to the company's current policies.Former OpenAI employee who died by suicide was named in a court case that could decide the future of the internetSuchir Balaji, a former OpenAI researcher, died by suicide late last month.After he left the company, Balaji raised questions about OpenAI possibly violating copyright law.His name appears in a New York Times lawsuit against OpenAI that could have far-reaching implications.Eight days before the former OpenAI researcher Suchir Balaji was found dead in a San Francisco apartment, the 26-year-old's name appeared in a lawsuit against his former employer that could have significant implications for the future of AI and the internet.The lawsuit — filed by The New York Times last December — accused OpenAI and Microsoft of using "millions" of articles published by the newspaper without permission to train the AI startup's popular ChatGPT model. The companies have denied that they violated copyright law.On November 18, the Times' attorneys asked a judge to add Balaji as a "custodian" in the lawsuit, according to court documents viewed by Business Insider. The attorneys' letter described Balaji as someone with "unique and relevant documents" that could support their copyright infringement case against OpenAI and Microsoft.NEO Murder stuff:In Armed America, CEOs Get Protection. Schoolkids Get 'Thoughts and Prayers'While top executives of multibillion-dollar companies beefed up security and canceled in-person meetings in the wake of the assassination of UnitedHealth CEO Brian Thompson earlier this month in New York City, students and teachers were offered little more than the typical outpouring of "thoughts and prayers" after the latest school shooting this week.Peter Thiel Reveals How Scared Oligarchs Are Of The PeoplePlutocrats like Thiel are constantly thinking about the fact that ordinary people vastly outnumber them and can kill them at any time. They think about it way more often than ordinary people do.Billionaire Peter Thiel had a fascinating televised moment the other day when asked by Piers Morgan what he thought about the public making a hero of the man suspected of murdering health insurance CEO Brian Thompson. The way he stumbled and stuttered when trying to answer the question gives a lot of insight into how terrified such people are of the public turning against them one day.“And to those who think this shooter is a hero, because he did it because he said this healthcare executive is presiding over a healthcare system which kills thousands of Americans by denying them cover, what would you say to them?” Morgan asked.Thiel paused for a long time, and then stuttered for a long time, and then eventually got out the words, “It's, I don't know what, what to say? I, I think I still think you have, you should try to make an argument. And I, I think this is, this is you should, you know, there may be things wrong with our health care system, but you have, you have to make an argument, and you have to try to find a way to convince people and and change, change it by by that, and this is, you know, this is not going to work.”Socialist fashion brand to launch 'most-wanted CEOs' playing cards in wake of Brian Thompson murderThe Four Suits of Exploitation:Hearts: Real Estate, Retail, and Healthcare – Exploiting care and connection to put profits over people.Diamonds: Finance, Tech, and Media – Hoarding wealth and controlling the narrative to maintain power.Spades: Weapons, Oil, and Pharmaceuticals – Profiting from destruction, war, and illness.Clubs: Chemicals, Agriculture, and Logistics – Grinding the planet and its people into submission.“Play the game, know the players.”Gail Boudreaux: Anthem Insurance (3 of Hearts)Technically CEO (23%) at Elevance Health; changed name from Anthem in 2022Richard Sackler: Purdue Pharma (Jack of Clubs)Company no longer exists; was previously President and Co-ChairHoward Schultz: Starbuck (Jack of Hearts)Is this a nod to Robbie Starbuck?Chair Emeritus, founder and former CEOElon Musk: Twitter (2 of Diamonds)Now called X; not the CEOKathy Warden: Northrop Grumman (Queens of Spades)CEO/Chair (21%)Jeff Bezos: Amazon (King of Diamonds)founder/former CEO/Exec Chair (67%)The Waltons: Walmart (Ace of Hearts)The Sacklers: Purdue Pharma (Ace of Clubs)defunctThe Kochs: Koch Inc. (Ace of Spades)Private companyThe Murdochs: New Corp. (Ace of DIamonds)Featuring Rupert with 4 kids behind himLachlan is CEO/Chair (68%); Rupert Chair EmeritusMATT1Changing the Methodology for Fortune 100 Most Powerful ExecutivesSize of the business = max league + network powerJust having a big company doesn't matter - half the CEOs are hired hands and the board is more powerful than the CEO, some are founders with outsized power… company size isn't an indicator, but who you know is.Health of the business = performance returnsLiquidity was one of Fortune's indicator - liquidity? Really? What if the individual has contributed to the health of the business? We're going to use individual EBITDA and TSR batting averages, and we're doing to do it over the last 5 years, not just this year.Innovation = Influence = influence!Unlike for Fortune, this is EASY for us - we actually measure it - we can use a couple variations, including total influence (added across multiple companies), max influence (at any one company), and median influenceTrajectory = aggregate tenure across all companiesIt's stupid to focus on where someone is in their “career arc” - do you penalize someone young? Do you give more weight to Buffett just because he's 300 years old? Is there a singular “career height” that Fortune decides someone has hit (or hasn't)? Let's go with something measurable - aggregate tenure across all company boardsImpact = controversiesThis was originally written as “do they make the world a better place”, so we're going to go with “do they make the world NOT a worse place?”
Norm Ornstein, an Emeritus Scholar at the American Enterprise Institute, discusses the implications of Donald Trump's appointments to key government positions if he becomes president again in 2024. Ornstein expresses concern about Trump's plan to appoint individuals who would undermine democratic institutions, such as the FBI, national intelligence, and the Department of Defense. He argues that there are few guardrails left to stop this "madness" and prevent the erosion of American democracy. Ornstein also criticizes the reactions of the media and some Democrats to President Biden's pardon of his son Hunter, noting the selective outrage compared to Trump's past pardons of associates convicted of serious crimes.Today's Bill Press Pod is supported by the United Food and Commercial Workers Union. More information at UFCW.org.Join Bill on BlueSky, the great new social media platform that is way better than Elon Musk's X. Go to Bsky.app and follow Bill at @BillPress.bsky.socialSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
As another needed break from Politics on this Thanksgiving weekend, we once again share Bill's conversation with Ina Garten, recorded in 2020 at the height of the pandemic. Bon Appetit. Today's Bill Press Pod is supported by these unions fighting hard everyday for working men and women. The United Food and Commercial Workers Union,The International Association of Fire Fighters,The Laborers International of Union of North America,The International Brotherhood of Teamsters,The American Federation of Teachers,The International Association of Sheet Metal, Air, Rail and Transportation Workers,The United SteelworkersandThe Iron Workers Union.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Bill discusses the implementation of Project 2025 with David Pepper, former Chair of the Democratic Party in Ohio and author of our special podcast series, Trump's Project 2025: Up Close and Personal. Project 2025 is a draconian blueprint for a second Trump term prepared by the Heritage Foundation. And now we face the implementation across all elements of society. The discussion covers the dangers of Project 2025, including the weaponization of the Department of Justice to target political opponents, attacks on women's healthcare and abortion rights, weakening of labor unions and worker protections, and the replacement of scientists and experts with unqualified political appointees. Pepper warns that while some elements of Project 2025 may not be implemented, the Trump administration is poised to move quickly on many fronts to enact its extreme agenda. Pepper and Bill urge continued vigilance and activism to document, call out, and build opposition to these efforts to undermine democratic institutions and norms. You can follow David's work at DavidPepper.substack.comToday's Bill Press Pod is supported by The United Food and Commercial Workers Union. More information at UFCW.orgSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Chris Holman speaks with Courtney Phillips, Secretary-Treasurer, United Food and Commercial Workers Union of Grand Rapids, from Media Row, at the Grand Hotel, while at the 2024 Mackinac Policy Conference. » Visit MBN website: www.michiganbusinessnetwork.com/ » Watch MBN's YouTube: www.youtube.com/@MichiganbusinessnetworkMBN » Like MBN: www.facebook.com/mibiznetwork » Follow MBN: twitter.com/MIBizNetwork/ » MBN Instagram: www.instagram.com/mibiznetwork/
It's Election Day but we won't know the outcome for many hours, or even days. After we voted, there's not much more we can do. So today we're offering an alternative to politics, an interview with one of the most prolific spy novelists in history. He was Bill's producer at CNN and now Daniel Silva is the internationally acclaimed novelist whose main character Gabriel Allon, has captured the imagination of people all over the world. This episode is for you to relax and enjoy and get your mind off politics for just 1/2 an hour. Here is a link to Daniel Silva's page on Amazon which has all of his 27 best sellers. We'll be back on Friday with our Reporters Roundtable to figure out just what happened today.Today's Bill Press Pod is supported by the United Food and Commercial Workers Union, the workers we meet in our daily lives at our supermarkets drug stores and even cannabis dispensaries. More information at UFCW.org.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
In a doubleheader episode, the two unions who would eventually merge into the United Food and Commercial Workers International Union (UFCW) both coincidentally went on strike in 1961.Support the showwww.laborjawn.com
THE FOUNDER and longtime leader of Hezbollah, Hassan Nasrallah, was eliminated Friday by an Israeli airstrike on a suburb of Beirut. This means that ten of the eleven top military commanders in Hezbollah have been eliminated by Israel, along with the leader of Hamas, within the last two months. Apparently, it does not pay to be on the wrong side of history in a conflict with Israel. A senior commander in the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps was also killed in that strike, and a report from Iran revealed that supreme leader Ayatollah Khomeini has moved to a secure facility, apparently worried that his life might soon be forfeit. We also discuss a new revelation in the ongoing scandal of human trafficking for big business: The United Food and Commercial Workers union charged that a JBS meatpacking plant in Greeley, Colorado has been exploiting workers from Haiti and Benin, alleging dangerous working conditions, substandard wages, unfair treatment, and housing them in deplorable conditions at a local motel. Also: Tensions between Japan and China ramp up as the neocons apparently want to expand Western influence to the Asian Pacific. NOTE: The audio for this week is different because we had to come up with a quick workaround for our usual setup. A word of advice: If you a Mac user working with Adobe products like Audition or Premiere, don't upgrade to Mac OS 15 (Sequoia) until Adobe gets its act together and makes its products compatible with the OS upgrade. Our new book The Gates of Hell is now available in paperback, Kindle, and as an audiobook at Audible! Follow us! X (formerly Twitter): @pidradio | @sharonkgilbert | @derekgilbert | @gilberthouse_tvTelegram: t.me/gilberthouse | t.me/sharonsroom | t.me/viewfromthebunkerYouTube: @GilbertHouse | @UnravelingRevelationFacebook.com/pidradio ——————Thank you for making our Build Barn Better project a reality! Our 1,200 square foot pole barn has a new HVAC system, epoxy floor, 100-amp electric service, new windows, insulation, lights, and ceiling fans! If you are so led, you can help out by clicking here: gilberthouse.org/donate. Get our free app! It connects you to this podcast, our weekly Bible studies, and our weekly video programs Unraveling Revelation and A View from the Bunker. The app is available for iOS, Android, Roku, and Apple TV. Links to the app stores are at pidradio.com/app. Video on demand of our best teachings! Stream presentations and teachings based on our research at our new video on demand site: gilberthouse.org/video! Check out our online store! GilbertHouse.org/store is a virtual book table with books and DVDs related to our weekly Bible study. Take advantage of our monthly specials! And check out our new line of T-shirts and mugs! Think better, feel better! Our partners at Simply Clean Foods offer freeze-dried, 100% GMO-free food and delicious, vacuum-packed fair trade coffee from Honduras. Find out more at GilbertHouse.org/store/.——————WE'RE GOING BACK TO ISRAEL! Our 2025 tour features special guests Dr. Judd Burton and Doug Van Dorn! We will tour the Holy Land March 25–April 3, 2025, with an optional three-day extension in Jordan. For more information, log on to GilbertHouse.org/travel. PLEASE NOTE: Due to security concerns, our Solidarity Mission planned for November 6–13, 2024 has been canceled.
Pennsylvania. Pennsylvania. Pennsylvania. Harris Still Not Well Known. Liz Cheney for Harris. Harris on Small Business. Trump on What?? Debate Will be Key, With Gabe Debenedetti, National Correspondent for New York Magazine, Jasmine Wright, reporting on the Presidential campaign for NOTUS and Geoff Earle, US Deputy Political Editor of MailOnline.com.Today's Bill Press Pod is supported by The United Food and Commercial Workers Union. More information at UFCW.orgSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Trump Embraces Personal Attacks, Can't Stay on Message. Vance, GOP Abortion Fail. Trump Trashes Congressional Medal of Honor Winners. New Level of Democratic Enthusiasm. RFK, Jr. Crashing. Evangelicals for Harris. What to Expect at The Democratic National Convention. With Ginger Gibson, Senior Washington Editor at NBC News, Sudeep Reddy, Senior Managing Editor at Politico and Emily Goodin, Senior White House Correspondent for DailyMail.comToday's Bill Press Pod is supported by The United Food and Commercials Workers Union. More information at UFCW.orgSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Starbucks is installing at least 100 more electric vehicle charging stations at its stores. Love's Travel Stops & Country Stores is making progress in its $1 billion store renovation plan. And the United Food and Commercial Workers International Union 770 named a new president.
Disneyland cast members are chanting "Shut It Down!" and intend to strike if their demands aren't met. Could Disneyland get shut down again soon? From KTLA 5... The unions involved are the Bakery, Confectionery, Tobacco Workers and Grain Millers Local 83, the Service Employees International Union-United Service Workers West, the Teamsters Local 495 and the United Food and Commercial Workers Local 324. “Negotiations between Disneyland Resort and Master Services Council — which represents four major unions and nearly 14,000 cast members at Disneyland Resort including: Attractions, Candy Makers, Costuming, Custodial, Main Entrance, Parking, Resort Transportation, Store Operations, Team Centers, and Anaheim Distribution Center — began in late April 2024 with continued conversations taking place throughout the last few months. The official Disneyland Park Master Services Council contract expired on June 16, with Master Services Council declining to enter into a contract extension,” Disneyland Resort officials previously told KTLA in a statement. “We respect and value our cast members and recognize the important role they play in creating happiness for our guests. With the next meeting scheduled for July 22, we remain committed to continuing discussions and to reaching an agreement with the Master Services Council that focuses on what matters most to our current cast members, helps us attract new cast, and positions Disneyland Resort for growth and the creation of more jobs.” ➡️ Tip Jar and Fan Support: http://ClownfishSupport.com ➡️ Official Merch Store: http://ShopClownfish.com ➡️ Official Website: http://ClownfishTV.com ➡️ Audio Edition: https://open.spotify.com/show/6qJc5C6OkQkaZnGCeuVOD1 Disneyland employees are considering going on strike due to low wages and poor working conditions, potentially leading to the park shutting down and impacting visitors. 00:00 Disneyland employees may go on strike due to low wages and increasing living costs, potentially leading to the park shutting down. 02:19 Four Disneyland unions may strike, potentially shutting down the park and impacting visitors. 04:03 Disneyland employees are negotiating for fair wages and policies, with the potential for a strike if a contract is not reached. 05:11 Disneyland employees filed unfair labor practice charges against Disney for intimidation and surveillance of union members, demanding a living wage. 07:10 Disneyland employees are struggling with economic hardship, with a majority reporting not earning enough to cover basic expenses, experiencing food and housing insecurity, and missing work due to lack of sick leave. 08:09 Disneyland employees are standing up for fair wages and working conditions, considering going on strike due to harassment and fear of retaliation from the corporation with a market cap of over $174 billion. 10:22 Disneyland employees are demanding fair pay and livable wages to prevent a potential shutdown. 12:07 Disneyland employees may go on strike due to poor working conditions and low pay, potentially leading to park closure and negative impact on guest experience. Expand About Us: Clownfish TV is an independent, opinionated news and commentary channel that covers Entertainment and Tech from a consumer's point of view. We talk about Gaming, Comics, Anime, TV, Movies, Animation and more. Hosted by Kneon and Geeky Sparkles. Disclaimer: This series is produced by Clownfish Studios and WebReef Media, and is part of ClownfishTV.com. Opinions expressed by our contributors do not necessarily reflect the views of our guests, affiliates, sponsors, or advertisers. ClownfishTV.com is an unofficial news source and has no connection to any company that we may cover. This channel and website and the content made available through this site are for educational, entertainment and informational purposes only. These so-called “fair uses” are permitted even if the use of the work would otherwise be infringing. #Disney #Disneyland #Dis
The Krogers-Albertsons merger has been looming for the past two years. Its most recent development concerns the United Food and Commercial Workers Union. KCSB's Rosie Bultman has the story.
David Pepper, former chair of the Ohio Democratic Party, discusses the importance of focusing on races beyond the presidential election, such as State House and Senate seats and governorships as well as the U.S. House. He highlights the need for Democrats to compete in every district and emphasizes the threat of Project 2025, a plan by Trump supporters to dismantle the government if Trump is reelected. Pepper also discusses the use of school vouchers to undermine public education and calls for action to protect public schools. He is writing a novel that exposes the dangers of Project 2025 with the aim to make the threat more accessible to voters. You can follow David's very important work on these and other key issues at DavidPepper.substack.com. Also check out more great information about David's causes at SaveDemocracy.us. Today's episode is supported by The United Food and Commercial Workers Union, more information at UFCW.orgSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
SCOTUS on Abortion. Politics of Abortion Rights. Southern Baptists: No IVF. Trump Rallies GOP Congress. Trump Disses Milwaukee, Site of the RNC. D's Message Democracy to Their Base. Biden at G7 in Italy. No Pardon for Hunter. Biden vs Bad Economic Vibes. Biden vs Bad Crime Vibes. With Ginger Gibson, Senior Washington Editor for NBC News, Amanda Becker, Washington Correspondent for 19th News and author of the upcoming book, You Must Stand Up, the Fight for Abortion Rights in Post-Dobbs America, NBC News Senior Political Reporter Alex Sietz-Wald, and NBC News White House Reporter Katherine Doyle. Today's Bill Press Pod is supported by The United Food and Commercial Workers Union. More information at UFCW.orgSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Jonathan Alter, former columnist for Newsweek and publisher of the Old Goats newsletter, joins Bill to discuss the dramatic ending of Donald Trump's trial and its potential impact on the 2024 election. Alter, who spent every single day inside the courtroom, describes the moment when the foreperson of the jury announced the guilty verdict on all 34 counts, calling it a "nice moment of small D democratic accountability." He also discusses Trump's reaction in the courtroom and speculates on what may happen next, including the possibility of Trump being sentenced to jail. Alter emphasizes the importance of the trial and its implications for the rule of law in the United States. He also discusses the potential impact of the conviction on the 2024 election, noting that while some voters may overlook Trump's felon status, others may see it as a "final gut check" and choose not to vote for him. Alter expresses concern about the Republican Party's embrace of Trump despite his criminal conviction, calling it a "sad and scary moment in American history" and emphasizing the importance of upholding the rule of law.Today's Bill Press Pod is supported by The United Food and Commercial Workers Union. More information at UFCW.org.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
In this episode, Bill interviews David Ignatius, Foreign Policy Columnist for the Washington Post and author of the new novel, "Phantom Orbit." They discuss the current state of the world, focusing on the challenges facing the United States in foreign policy. Ignatius shares his recent experiences in Ukraine and Gaza. The conversation concludes with a discussion of Ignatius' his new novel, "Phantom Orbit” which is centered in the world of satellites and their role in modern warfare and the competition between the United States, China, and Russia for control of space. Ignatius explains the importance of space in military operations and the need for a dedicated Space Force. And says we are behind in today's space race. You can purchase your copy here . Today's Bill Press Pod is supported by The United Food and Commercial Workers Union. More information at UFCW.org. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Trump Trial. Trump Sleeping. Cohen in the Crosshairs. Trump's Time Cover. Politics of Campus Protests. RFK, Jr. For Real? Mike Johnson Resurgent. Ted Cruz Attacks MTG. Kristi Noem's Dog. With Ginger Gibson, Senior Washington Editor for NBC News, Shirish Date, Senior White House Correspondent at Huff Post, Nikki Schwab, Senior U.S. Political Reporter for The Daily Mail and Alex Roarty, Politics Reporter at NOTUS Reports.Today's Bill Press Pod is supported by the United Food and Commercial Workers Union. More information at UFCW.org.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
In this episode, Bill continues his four-part series on the American presidency with guest Doug Brinkley, a presidential historian who is a professor at Rice University and as the official presidential historian at CNN. He's the author of dozens of books and scholarly articles and is considered one of the top presidential scholars in the country. They discuss the importance of the people a president surrounds themselves with and how it impacts their administration. They mention examples of presidents who had strong teams, such as Abraham Lincoln and Franklin D. Roosevelt. They also discuss the role of the vice president and first lady in shaping a president's decisions. They then compare the teams of Donald Trump and Joe Biden, noting the high turnover and lack of cohesion in Trump's team, while praising the loyalty and unity of Biden's team. They also mention the very powerful influence of Jill Biden on the administration. Today's Bill Press Pod is supported by United Food and Commercial Workers Union.More information at UFCW.org. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Trump on Abortion. AZ Abortion Bombshell North Carolina Gov's Race. Mayorkis Impeachment. Immigration Salience. GOP House Chaos. With Jason Dick, Editor in chief at CQ-Roll Call, Katherine Tully-McManus, Congressional Reporter at Politico and author of its Huddle Newsletter, Jessica Taylor, Senate and Governors Editor at The Cook Political Report and Dan Merica, longtime political reporter writing these days in The Daily Beast. Today's Bill Press Pod is supported by The United Food and Commercial Workers Union. More information at UFCW.orgSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
2024 Money Battles. Trump: J6 “Hostages.” Christian Visibility Day. Trump's Trials. The Abortion Issue. The Border Issue. No Labels/No Way. RFK,Jr. Still a Factor. OH, MD, AZ Senate Races. Down Ballot Effect? Biden on GAZA. With Ginger Gibson, Senior Washington Editor for NBC News, Allan Smith, Politics Reporter, NBC News, Philip Bump, National Columnist for the Washington Post, author of the book, The Aftermath and writer of the How to Read This Chart Newsletter and Amanda Becker, Politics and Washington Reporter for 19th News, author of the forthcoming book, You Must Stand Up: The Fight For Abortion Rights In Post-Dobbs America.Today's Bill Press Pod is supported by the United Food and Commercial Workers Union. More information at UFCW.org.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Pete Ielmini, Executive Director of the International Association of Heat and Frost Insulators Mechanical Insulators Labor Management Cooperative Trust (LMCT), joined the America's Work Force Union Podcast to talk about the progress on the Mechanical Insulation Act. Iemini also discussed a new program to help leaders within the union recognize and assist members needing mental health care. As we continue to celebrate Women's History Month, Latoya Mathis, a union and servicing representative for the United Food and Commercial Workers Local 75 in Dayton, Ohio, joined the America's Work Force Union Podcast to talk about how the union supported her and allowed her to graduate college. She also talked about her work to help empower young women in the union and guide them toward success.
Congressman Maxwell Frost of Florida is the youngest member of Congress, elected when he was only 25 years old. He's the first Afro-Cuban member of Congress. Frost was a mover and shaker before he was elected to Congress, active in campaigns for Hillary Clinton, Bernie Sanders, and Barack Obama and National Organizing Director for the March for Our Lives for gun safety. And the Congressman is leading the Democratic Party's efforts to inspire and energize young voters. Frost and Bill discuss President Biden's State of the Union address, the border crisis, the situation in Gaza, TikTok, gun violence, climate change, and the political landscape in Florida. Frost praised Biden's speech and his handling of the issues, particularly highlighting his efforts to address the climate crisis and gun violence. He expressed frustration with Congress's lack of action on gun violence prevention and emphasized the need for transformative legislation to combat climate change. Frost also discussed the changing political landscape in Florida, noting that progressive and Democratic policies are gaining some traction in the state.Today's Bill Press Pod is supported by The United Food and Commercial Workers Union. More information at UFCW.org. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Ralph speaks to law professor, Barbara McQuade, who specializes in national security issues and has written a book that outlines the very real threat to American democracy, “Attack From Within: How Disinformation Is Sabotaging America.” Also, Colonel Lawrence Wilkerson sums up Israeli goals in its war on the Palestinians with three words “eradication, elimination, and expulsion.”Barbara McQuade is a professor from practice at Michigan Law School. Her interests include criminal law, criminal procedure, national security, data privacy, and civil rights. From 2010 to 2017, Professor McQuade served as the US attorney for the Eastern District of Michigan. As US attorney, she oversaw cases involving public corruption, terrorism, corporate fraud, theft of trade secrets, civil rights, and health care fraud, among others. She also serves as a legal analyst for NBC News and MSNBC. Barbara McQuade is the author of Attack from Within: How Disinformation is Sabotaging America.I think people are still bewildered about how to respond to Donald Trump. I think the media is bewildered because we've never seen anything like him—he's an absolute disruptor of how our system works. And so, he's a big bully who runs around and says all kinds of mean things and nobody knows how to deal with it. I think the media still struggles to decide how do you cover someone—when we've been trained to get both sides of an argument which presumes that both sides are engaging in good faith—when instead you have someone who is not engaging in good faith, engaging in lies, making inconsistent statements.Barbara McQuadeWe need to demand truth. We can't allow ourselves to engage in fiction, even if we believe it is to advance our ends. The ends can never justify the means. Our country is built on integrity in the rule of law and we need to demand truth if we are going to have a democracy and effective self-government.Barbara McQuadeYou don't want to go down in the mud with people. But when the national press begins and continues to be [Trump's] bullhorn, verbatim, repeating it, repeating it, giving no right of reply, there's no way you can simply say, “I don't want to go to his level,” because the press has raised it to a level that is devastating to our democracy.Ralph NaderLawrence Wilkerson is a retired U.S. Army colonel. Over his 31 years of service, Colonel Wilkerson served as Secretary of State Colin Powell's Chief of Staff from 2002 to 2005, and Special Assistant to General Powell when he was Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff from 1989 to 1993. Colonel Wilkerson also served as Deputy Director and Director of the U.S. Marine Corps War College at Quantico, Virginia, and for fifteen years he was the Distinguished Visiting Professor of Government and Public Policy at the College of William and Mary. He is currently a Senior Fellow at the Eisenhower Media Network, senior advisor to the Quincy Institute for Responsible Statecraft, and co-founder of the All-Volunteer Force Forum. The media is an Israeli agent when they do give some kind of deference to “the other side,” as it were, it's always in words and terminology and short sentences that make you know that “they are balanced.” “They are fair and balanced.” They're about as fair and balanced as my left foot. That's the way it is. The purpose here is eradication, elimination, or expulsion, period. Eradication, elimination, or expulsion.Colonel Lawrence WilkersonWe all need to wake up, and we need to start taking actions such as we can locally—whatever's within our purview and power to do. Because we're losing this country. We're losing it to the moneyed oligarchy. We're losing it to the unprecedented amount of money, because of Citizens United, that's pouring into the political coffers of people who have no interest in what you want…These people are basing their decisions on money. Money—not you. They're not the people's representatives… They're the representatives of the deep state, which is the oligarchy. Colonel Lawrence WilkersonIt's all these people with these unprecedented amounts of money who can influence anything, anytime they want to with a few telephone calls. That's what's running your country. And the predatory capitalism that they're advancing is running the world into the ground.Colonel Lawrence WilkersonIn Case You Haven't Heard with Francesco DeSantisNews 3/6/241. Just before the Michigan primary, President Biden implied that a ceasefire in Gaza was imminent. However, many believed at the time that Biden was simply trying to blunt the potency of the “Uncommitted” vote in that contest. The promised ceasefire never materialized, apparently confirming those suspicions. Yet, with “Uncommitted” winning over 100,000 votes in Michigan, the administration has begun using ceasefire language – a major rhetorical shift, but seemingly one without much corresponding action. Phyllis Bennis, writing in Al Jazeera, argues that “Whatever the language of Washington's proposed UN Security Council resolution and likely the possible temporary truce deal as well, the words of National Security Council spokesperson John Kirby continue to resonate as a better reflection of the Biden administration's policy: ‘We're going to continue to support Israel… and we're going to continue to make sure they have the tools and the capabilities to do that.'”2. Following the self immolation of Aaron Bushnell, activist Talia Jane has shared a letter from active duty U.S. Military personnel calling for a ceasefire in Gaza. In this letter, the anonymous signatories write “it is undeniably evident that the Israeli Defense Forces are repeatedly and systematically committing war crimes in Gaza. Support for the conduct of the IDF is unacceptable and inconsistent with our values in the US Armed forces.” Talia Jane reports that “over 100 active duty military across Air Force, Navy, Army, Marine Corps, Coast Guard, as well as reservists and National Guard, and their families, have endorsed this open letter.”3. J Street, the preeminent liberal Zionist group, has finally begun using the word ceasefire – while still only supporting a temporary truce. In a note to their members, J Street wrote "This move is not a change in policy. It is a decision to begin using a word that is fraught with meaning and implications in the context of the Gaza War," Daniel Marans of the Huffington Post reports. J Street has deep ties to the administration, so whether they are taking their cues from the administration in characterizing a temporary truce as a ceasefire – or vice versa – it is significant that this is the new line from mainstream liberal Zionists.4. Max Tani of Semafor reports that the NewsGuild of New York has sent a letter to the New York Times accusing the ‘Grey Lady' of racially profiling their staff as they seek to hunt down the source of a leak exposing their shoddy – possibly completely false – reporting on sexual violence committed by Hamas. Per the letter, “Management's investigators have questioned employees about their involvement in The Times' internal Middle Eastern and North African Times Employee Resource Group (known as the MENA Collective), ordered them to hand over the names of all of the MENA Collective's active members involved in group discussions, and demanded copies of personal communications between colleagues about their shared workplace concerns…The Guild intends to vigorously defend our members and their rights, and ensure that all our members are protected in a workplace free from harassment and racial profiling.”5. According to NBC News, “The biggest labor union in Washington state endorsed voting ‘uncommitted' in the state's Democratic presidential primary next month, citing concerns about President Joe Biden's political strength and his support for Israel's war in Gaza.” UFCW Local 3000 has over 50,000 members, making it the largest state chapter of the United Food and Commercial Workers union. NBC also reports that “The Stranger, a prominent alt-weekly publication based in Seattle, also endorsed the idea of voting ‘uncommitted,' expressing disappointment in the options of Trump and Biden, whom it referred to as the ‘two genocidal geriatrics leading the polls.'”6. Amid humiliatingly low poll numbers, Democratic-turned-Independent Senator Kyrsten Sinema has dropped out of the 2024 Arizona Senate race, the Arizona Republic reports. Senator Sinema, you will not be missed.7. In Manhattan, over two-thirds of houses sold last quarter were purchased in cash, rather than via mortgage, per the Financial Times. In other words, the preponderance of homes were purchased by the very rich. Pamela Liebman, the chief executive of real estate brokerage firm Corcoran, told the paper “High mortgage rates are creating a real void for people who don't have the strong finances that are required to buy in cash…It's driving people who would be home buyers in New York into renting.” This piece further notes that “rents rose to an all-time median high of $3,950 [per month].”8. West Virginia News reports “Kroger union members have voted in favor of authorizing a strike at 38 stores in West Virginia, Kentucky and Ohio.” As this piece notes, this vote gives the bargaining committee authorization to call a strike at any time, but the workers are not currently on strike. In a statement, UFCW Local 400 said “This vote has sent a powerful message to Kroger that they must do better if they expect us to ratify a contract…Now, we are ready to sit down with the company and negotiate an agreement that we can recommend for ratification. If not, we are ready to continue to do whatever it takes to get a fair contract. By sticking together, we will win.”9. Family Dollar has been hit with a $42 million fine in a food safety case after the company was found to have been “storing food, drugs, and cosmetics in a rodent-infested warehouse in Arkansas,” according to More Perfect Union. An FDA investigation revealed “live rodents, dead and decaying rodents, rodent feces, urine, and odors, and evidence of gnawing and nesting throughout the facility.” Family Dollar had been aware of the infestation since 2020, and continued shipping merchandise – often eaten into by the rodents – to 404 stores throughout the region. This is the largest ever criminal fine in a food safety case.10. Finally, on February 27th MyHighPlains.com reported that a nuclear weapons factory in Texas was forced to cease operations in light of the state's massive wildfires. According to Hans Kristensen, Director of the Nuclear Information Project of the Federation of American Scientists, “This is America's main nuclear weapons factory. Nearly 20,000 plutonium cores are stored there [and] full-scale production of B61-12 bomb & W88 Alt370 warheads are underway.” While this critical situation was resolved without injury, it highlights the interrelation between climate change and national security. We urge military and civilian leadership to view this near-miss as a chance to finally take the climate crisis seriously.This has been Francesco DeSantis, with In Case You Haven't Heard. Get full access to Ralph Nader Radio Hour at www.ralphnaderradiohour.com/subscribe
It's Hump Day! And Emma is BACK! Sam and Emma speak with Rena Wong, president of the United Food and Commercial Workers (UFCW) local 663, to discuss the recent strike efforts by grocery workers in Minnesota. Then, they speak with Abby Vesoulis, national politics reporter at Mother Jones, to discuss her recent piece entitled "A Nixon-Era Food Program for Babies and Pregnant People Is Running Out of Cash'. First, Sam runs through updates on US retaliations to the Jordanian drone strikes, House and Senate politics, Elon's $56 billion bummer, anti-trans legislation in Florida and Utah, DOJ proceedings against Cory Bush, Sinema's fundraising downfall, Trump's legal expenditures, and corporate awareness about climate change, before touching on Larry Kudlow and Marjorie Taylor Greene's pitch to the Fox audience on the impeachment of Secretary Mayorkas. Rena Wong then joins, diving right into the role of UFCW Local 663 in representing many of Minneapolis' essential workers, and the major issues facing their treatment at the hands of their employers. Wong begins by walking through the major transformations that 663 underwent over 2023, pushed by blatant disrespect from the corporations and their proposals that completely ignored the massive sacrifice their workers undertook during the pandemic, and the incredible profits that resulted from it., tackling the issues of payment, cost of living, and inflation, as well as severe and illegal anti-union campaigns from employers. After touching on the major strike actions that Local 663 undertook last year – including one in the lead-up to Christmas – Rena wraps up with the major factors behind the union's transformation and the central role of unions in providing employees with the tools and strategy to stand up for each other and themselves. Abby Vesoulis then walks through the major role the WIC program plays in providing millions of mothers, infants, and children in the US with proper nutrition, and the incredibly obvious benefit it provides to society, before stepping back to walk through the inner workings of the program, how it connects with mothers and children, and how it uses its funds. After touching on the GOP's pressures to cut funding for the program, and their successful attempt to delay its funding, Vesoulis wraps up by looking at the devastating impact cuts to the program could have on millions of Americans. And in the Fun Half: Sam and Emma discuss Israel's continued desecration of Palestinian civil society in Gaza and beyond, the US and IDF's poor attempts to defend these actions, and the Israeli government's complete lack of respect for the life of anyone – even their own hostages. They also touch on the insanity that is Donald Trump's foreign policy, talk with Joe from Florida about his issues with the program, discuss being pro-Palestine in Europe with a caller, and watch Benny Johnson talk pop-star psyops, plus, your calls and IMs! Find out more about the UFCW local 663 here: https://www.ufcw663.org/ Check out Abby's work here: https://www.motherjones.com/author/abby-vesoulis/ Become a member at JoinTheMajorityReport.com: https://fans.fm/majority/join Gift a Majority Report subscription here: https://fans.fm/majority/gift Subscribe to the ESVN YouTube channel here: https://www.youtube.com/esvnshow Subscribe to the AMQuickie newsletter here: https://am-quickie.ghost.io/ Join the Majority Report Discord! http://majoritydiscord.com/ Get all your MR merch at our store: https://shop.majorityreportradio.com/ Get the free Majority Report App!: http://majority.fm/app Check out today's sponsors: Nutrafol: Take the first step to visibly thicker, healthier hair. For a limited time, Nutrafol is offering our listeners ten dollars off your first month's subscription and free shipping when you go to https://Nutrafol.com/men and enter the promo code TMR. Find out why over 4,000 healthcare professionals recommend Nutrafol for healthier hair. https://Nutrafol.com/men and enter promo code TMR. Shopify: Sign up for a one-dollar-per-month trial period at https://shopify.com/majority. Go to https://shopify.com/majority now to grow your business–no matter what stage you're in. Follow the Majority Report crew on Twitter: @SamSeder @EmmaVigeland @MattLech @BradKAlsop Check out Matt's show, Left Reckoning, on Youtube, and subscribe on Patreon! https://www.patreon.com/leftreckoning Check out Matt Binder's YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/mattbinder Subscribe to Brandon's show The Discourse on Patreon! https://www.patreon.com/ExpandTheDiscourse Check out Ava Raiza's music here! https://avaraiza.bandcamp.com/ The Majority Report with Sam Seder - https://majorityreportradio.com/
Ralph welcomes leaders from two grassroots groups advocating against the war on Gaza. First, from Tel Aviv, we are joined by Ido Setter of “Standing Together” a movement aimed at mobilizing Jewish and Palestinian citizens of Israel in pursuit of peace, equality, and social and climate justice. Then, here in America, Stefanie Fox, executive director of Jewish Voice For Peace, reports on their work taking action in Congress, on the streets, and in the press to stop the ongoing genocide in Gaza.Ido Setter works on Standing Together's digital mobilization team. Standing Together is a grassroots movement mobilizing Jewish and Palestinian citizens of Israel in pursuit of peace, equality, and social and climate justice.For the last two decades, the Israeli government and Israel as a state didn't offer any kind of hope for the Palestinian. There wasn't another serious peace process, no serious talks, and basically the Israeli government said to Palestinians, “Listen, this is how things are going to be. Deal with it.” And when you don't offer any hope, people will go to extreme places. So what happened on October 7th was, of course, a strategic collapse. But it was also an accumulation of the past two decades, where Israel didn't think that moving forward with a peace treaty or some kind of a peace agreement with the Palestinian people was an imperative.Ido SetterNothing stays on one side of the border. Everything that happens on the Palestinian side of the border eventually comes back to the Israeli side of the border… We need to stop right now what's happening at the current moment in Gaza, have compassion, and move in the opposite direction that Benjamin Netanyahu and his hawkish government is trying to lead us.Ido SetterStefanie Fox is Executive Director of Jewish Voice for Peace, which is one of the largest Jewish anti-Zionist organizations in the world.There is a large and growing community of faith leaders, of rabbis, of synagogues, of many, many Jews who are working to build a Judaism liberated from Zionism. And so there's probably 10 synagogues across the country that are anti- or non-Zionist. There are dozens of independent spiritual communities we call Chavurot that are connected (or not) to Jewish Voice for Peace. There's a burgeoning and growing movement to fight for the soul of Judaism, to fight for the future of our communities. And we have millennia of Jewish tradition—that predate the founding of the state of Israel and the movement of political Zionism—to lean on and to extend into a future where we are not bound up and made complicit in support for a genocidal ethno-state.Stefanie FoxThe term ‘semite' comes out of 19th century scientific racism. It's not really something in any moment in history that anybody has actually used to describe themselves. It's only a racist term. And so, the term ‘antisemitism' does refer to the bigotry and discrimination that emerged out of that racist classification system. And at its root it comes from the same white supremacy in which anti Palestinian racism and erasure and Zionism itself were born… And of course, antisemitism is real. There's real hatred and bigotry and discrimination against Jews. The point is that antisemitism and white supremacy and Zionism emerge from the same root of exclusionary ethno-nationalist racialized state building.Stefanie FoxIn order for [President Biden and the US Congress] not to ask for a ceasefire, they are engaged in hostilities now—the U.S. that is—against the Houthis in Yemen. They are bombing in Iraq and Syria. It's quite a price the U.S. is paying…because if there were a ceasefire, there'd be no Houthi assailing of shipping in the Red Sea. There would be no missiles with Hezbollah in Lebanon.Ralph NaderIn Case You Haven't Heard with Francesco DeSantisNews 1/24/241. Just Foreign Policy reports that there is dissent brewing among Obama foreign policy alumni regarding President Biden's air war on the Yemeni Houthis. Former Deputy National Security Advisor Ben Rhodes, considered Obama's foreign policy guru, called the campaign “a dangerous escalation,” and further stated "We have no legal basis to be doing that.” Rhodes, joined by former National Security Council Spokesman Tommy Vietor, are thus aligned with the dozens of groups – including the Friends Committee on National Legislation, the Quincy Institute for Responsible Statecraft, and World BEYOND War, among many others – which signed a letter calling for an end to the campaign. Representative Ro Khanna, writing in the Nation, argues that “President Biden has both the constitutional obligation and a political imperative to seek congressional authorization for proposed hostilities,” but is quick to note that “ it is…not too late to pursue a more effective approach…which happens to be wildly popular with voters—regional diplomacy and statesmanship.” Asked "Are the airstrikes in Yemen working?" President Biden himself replied “are they stopping the Houthis? No. Are they gonna continue? Yes," per Just Foreign Policy.2. Following Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu's statement ruling out a two-state solution, more Senate Democrats are warming up to the idea of imposing conditions on military aid to Israel. Yahoo! News reports that 18 Senate Democrats now support “an amendment that would require that any country receiving funding in the supplemental [aid package] use the money in accordance with U.S. law, international humanitarian law and the law of armed conflict,” with five Senators – Tina Smith, Tammy Baldwin, Laphonza Butler, Jon Ossoff, and Raphael Warnock – adding their names after Netanyahu's comments, per Jewish Insider. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer has been non-committal, with the Times of Israel reporting that he said “the Democratic caucus is still discussing the best way forward, regarding conditioning aid to Israel.”3. The Huffington Post reports controversial Biden Middle East advisor Brett McGurk may have earned a target on his back from Congressional Progressives. A draft letter from Congressional Democrats to Biden demanding McGurk's resignation is already circulating, with sources saying frustration with McGurk “has reached a boiling point.” McGurk's signature Middle East policy has been his attempted marriage of Israel and Saudi Arabia, even going so far as to push “U.S. officials to tie the future of the Palestinian enclave of Gaza to the prospective Saudi-Israel deal.” Other officials, speaking anonymously, called the plan “delusionally optimistic.” However, while Progressives may well claim McGurk's political scalp, some worry that he could become a scapegoat for administration-wide policy on Palestine.4. Harvard, caving to attacks from the likes of Larry Summers and billionaire Bill Ackman, has established an “Antisemitism taskforce.” However, this has not stopped the bad-faith attacks on the university, with that same coterie now alleging that the co-chair of the task force – Professor of Jewish History Derek J. Penslar – is insufficiently Zionist, per the Crimson. Penslar has previously signed a letter stating “‘Israel's long-standing occupation' of Gaza [has] resulted in a ‘regime of apartheid,'” and rejects the IHRA definition of antisemitism, which includes anti-Zionism. Summers wrote that Penslar is “unsuited” to lead the task force; meanwhile the American Academy for Jewish Research writes “Professor Penslar is a prolific scholar with a stellar international reputation, whose numerous books address the historical development of many of the topics raising rancor at our universities today: antisemitism, Zionism, Jews and the military, and the history of Israel.” Responding to Summers, Professor Steven Levitsky, who is Jewish, said “Larry Summers…is not representative of a majority of Jews at Harvard,” adding “That guy is batshit crazy — and you can quote me on that.”5. U.S. District Judge William Young has blocked the planned merger of Spirit Airlines and Jetblue Airways, arguing the acquisition would “‘substantially lessen competition' in violation of the Clayton Act, which ‘was designed to prevent anticompetitive harms for consumers,'” per the Hill. President Biden praised the decision in a statement, saying “Today's ruling is a victory for consumers everywhere who want lower prices and more choices. My Administration will continue to fight to protect consumers and enforce our antitrust laws.” The Department of Justice has been fighting this merger since March 2023.6. The New Republic reports “Earlier this month, Democrats on the House Oversight Committee released an explosive report documenting that Donald Trump's businesses pocketed at least $7.8 million in payments from foreign governments during his presidency.” Yet, House Democrats are powerless to subpoena witnesses to further investigate this report because Republicans hold the majority. Ranking Democrat on the House Oversight Committee, Jamie Raskin, has been pushing Senate Democrats – who hold the gavels in that chamber – to issue subpoenas. Yet these Senate Democrats have hesitated to do so. We urge these powerful Democratic committee chairs to use their subpoena power. The American people deserve to know if their president profited from foreign dealings at their expense.7. Public Citizen reports “the [Consumer Financial Protection Bureau] plans to crack down on banks charging ridiculous overdraft fees. Their proposal would cap overdraft fees at $3 and close the loophole that allows banks to take advantage of Americans who are already struggling.” CFPB Director Rohit Chopra is quoted saying “Decades ago, overdraft loans got special treatment to make it easier for banks to cover paper checks that were often sent through the mail…Today, we are proposing rules to close a longstanding loophole that allowed many large banks to transform overdraft into a massive junk fee harvesting machine." According to the CFPB's statement, “The proposed rule would apply to insured financial institutions with more than $10 billion in assets… The CFPB estimates that this rule may save consumers $3.5 billion or more in fees per year.”8. California Senate candidate Barbara Lee has picked up the endorsement of the statewide McClatchy editorial board, including major Golden State papers like the Sacramento Bee. In their announcement of the endorsement, the Bee wrote “Barbara Lee stood out from the rest. Her independence, her perseverance in fighting for the underdog and her life experiences set her apart.” Confirming this assessment, just this week Congresswoman Lee was kicked out of a House Foreign Affairs Subcommittee hearing on Cuba for arguing in favor of normalizing diplomatic relations.9. The National Labor Relations Board has filed a complaint against Trader Joe's for the company's attempted union busting. Based on a 2022 unfair labor practice charge, the complaint alleges the company shuttered their New York City wine store in order to avoid impending unionization, in addition to “subject[ing] employees to interrogation, threaten[ing] to cut their benefits and [telling] them deciding to join a union would be ‘futile,'” Grocery Dive reports. The United Food and Commercial Workers union praised the decision, writing “Trader Joe's shamelessly and illegally engaged in union busting to scare Trader Joe's workers across the region and stop these workers from having a voice on the job. We applaud the NLRB's decision …and look forward to holding Trader Joe's accountable for their egregious anti-worker behavior.” Possible remedies the board could utilize include compelling the company to reopen the store.10. Finally, he Intercept reports Republicans Glen Grothman and Marco Rubio have put forward a bill to provide pensions to citizens who worked for Air America. But just what was Air America? The generically named airline was in fact a CIA cutout which “has been accused of running weapons and even…drugs in Southeast Asia.” The faux airline also played a key role in the CIA's operations in Laos and Cambodia, among the darkest chapters in American covert ops history. Tim Weiner, author of Legacy of Ashes told the Intercept “The whole point of Air America was to kill Communists.” Ironically, as the piece points out, these are the same Republicans who decry the so-called “deep state.”This has been Francesco DeSantis, with In Case You Haven't Heard. Get full access to Ralph Nader Radio Hour at www.ralphnaderradiohour.com/subscribe
Bill discusses the global challenges facing the United States with the Bill Press Pod Foreign Affairs expert Joe Cirincione. He is the former head of the Ploughshares Fund, and advisor to the U.S. State Department and a member of The Council on Foreign Relations. They discuss the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas, with Cirincione highlighting the political motivations of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and the need for a ceasefire. They also touch on the situation in Ukraine, where Cirincione emphasizes the importance of continued US assistance to prevent a victory for Russian President Vladimir Putin. Additionally, they discuss the tensions between North and South Korea, the new government in Taiwan, and the potential impact of the 2024 US presidential election on global peace and security. Cirincione warns that a second term for former President Donald Trump would be disastrous for international relations. Amen to that. Today's Bill Press Pod is supported by The United Food and Commercial Workers Union. More information at UFCW.orgSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
After watching the memorial service for First Lady Rosalyn Carter last month, we decided it's time to take another look at our 39th President, Jimmy Carter. And the very best person to do that is journalist and historian Jonathan Alter. His 2021 book, His Very Best: Jimmy Carter, A Life, is out in paperback and you can get it here. Alter is also the author of a very good Sub-stack newsletter, Old Goats. You can see that here. Bill and Jonathan discuss the legacy of the 39th President, Jimmy Carter, and his wife, Rosalyn Carter. They argue that while Carter's presidency is often viewed as ineffective, he actually accomplished a great deal and set a new standard for post-presidencies with his extensive public service. They also highlight Rosalyn Carter's significant contributions as First Lady, including her instrumental role in passing the Mental Health Act of 1980. The discussion also touches on Carter's deep faith and his commitment to environmental issues.Today's Bill Press Pod is supported by The United Food and Commercial Workers Union. More information at UFCW.orgSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Everyday, Boston College historian Heather Cox Richardson writes the newsletter, Letters from an American, A newsletter about the history behind today's politics. You can get it here. It is one of the most popular newsletters in America with over 1.3 million daily subscribers. That's a lot. She is a Professor of History at Boston College, where she teaches courses on the American Civil War, the Reconstruction Era, the American West, and the Plains Indians. Her latest book is Democracy Awakening: Notes on the State of America. This is the book we saw President Biden buy on his Thanksgiving vacation. You can get it here. On the podcast Bill and Professor Richardson discuss the importance of the upcoming presidential election and the threat to democracy in the United States. They also touch on topics such as the role of race and religion in American politics, the Ukraine conflict, and the potential for a two-state solution in the Middle East. Richardson expresses optimism about the future, citing historical examples of Americans standing up for democracy in challenging times.Today's Bill Press Pod is supported by The United Food and Commercial Workers Union. They are the union members we most often see at our grocery stores, pharmacies, and retail department stores. They also work in food processing plants and in the cannabis industry. More information at UFCW.org. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Workers are strategically taking direct action to disrupt fake corporate holidays like “Black Friday” and Starbucks' “Red Cup Day.” Last week, on the Friday after Thanksgiving, hundreds of Macy's workers in Washington state walked out in protest of the company's refusal to bargain a fair contract with the union (UFCW 3000). One week prior to that, on Nov. 16, Starbucks workers at over 200 locations around the US walked off the job on “Red Cup Day” to protest the company's relentless union busting and refusal to bargain a contract with any of the stores that have unionized with Starbucks Workers United. In this worker solidarity livestream from Nov. 29, TRNN Editor-in-Chief Maximillian Alvarez speaks directly with workers and organizers on the frontlines of these struggles, including: Moe Mills, a worker-organizer at Starbucks and member of Starbucks Workers United; Liisa Luick, a longtime sales associate at Macy's; and Sean Embly from the United Food and Commercial Workers (UFCW) Local 3000. GoFundMe: Help suspended union workers make ends meet.Click here for the show transcript: https://therealnews.com/macys-starbucks-workers-use-fake-corporate-holidays-to-strikeStudio Production: Adam Coley, David Hebden, Cameron GranadinoHelp us continue producing radically independent news and in-depth analysis by following us and becoming a monthly sustainer: Donate: https://therealnews.com/donate-podSign up for our newsletter: https://therealnews.com/newsletter-podLike us on Facebook: https://facebook.com/therealnewsFollow us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/therealnews
GOP Reps Fight Club. Santos Doomed. Israel Divides Democrats. GOP Abortion Woes. Trump's Vermin Libel. Biden's 2024 Themes. Biden-Xi Summit. Pandas! With Ginger Gibson, Senior DC Editor for NBC News, Alex Seitz-Wald, Senior Digital Reporter for NBC News, Amanda Becker, covering DC and politics for 19th News and Igor Bobic, Senior Political Reporter for Huff Post. Today's Bill Press Pod is supported by The United Food and Commercial Workers Union. More information at UFCW.orgSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
New and Unknown Speaker. Who is Mike Johnson? Can He Lead the House GOP? Three Trump Lawyers Plead Guilty. Meadows Cooperates. The Politics of Israel. Maine Massacre. With Linda Feldmann, Washington bureau chief, White House/politics correspondent at Christian Science Monitor. Host of the Monitor Breakfast, Jeff Dufour, Editor-in-chief of The National Journal and author of the Sunday Nightcap Newsletter and Zach Cohen, Congressional Reporter for Bloomberg Government.Today's Bill Press Pod is supported by The United Food and Commercial Workers Union. More information at UFCW.org.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Kevin Vacated. Trump Endorses Jordan. Speaker Vote Chaos. Gaetz Hated. Trump in NY Court. How to Cover Trump. New CA Senator. Menedez Holding On. With Melanie Mason, Senior Political Writer at Politico, Arthur Delaney, Political Reporter at Huff Post and Kirk Bado, Editor of The National Journal Hotline. Today's Bill Press Pod is supported by The United Food and Commercial Workers Union. More information at UFCW.orgSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
McConnell Health. Gov't Shutdown Over MAGA Issues. Navarro Guilty. Long Prison Terms for Proudboys. Trump Still Dominates GOP. Noem for VP? Biden's Bad Polls. GOP vs Hunter Biden. With Jeff Dufour, Editor-in-chief of the National Journal and author of the Sunday Nightcap Newsletter, Igor Bobic, Senior Politics Reporter for HuffPost and Leah Askarinam, Contributing Analyst to The Cook Political Report with Amy Walter. Today's Bill Press Pod is supported by The United Food and Commercial Workers Union. More information at UFCW.org.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.