Author: KJ McElrath

Man Born Into India’s Lowest Caste Now Leads The Country

Man Born Into India’s Lowest Caste Now Leads The Country

Posted by | Jul 24, 2017 | |

In all rigidly hierarchical societies, there are groups that have such low status that they are barely acknowledged as persons. This was the case in India for centuries under the Hindu caste system, in which those born into the lowest castes were considered “untouchable.” This past week, a member of an untouchable caste was elected President of India – something that would have been unthinkable even a few decades ago. The new president is Ram Nath Kovind, who was born in 1945 into the Dalit caste – which, at that time, was at the bottom rung of the social...

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GOP Resistance To Trump: The Checks and Balances are Weak, But Still Functioning

GOP Resistance To Trump: The Checks and Balances are Weak, But Still Functioning

Posted by | Jul 21, 2017 | |

In a time when it seems that Trump and the oligarchy are being given free rein to run roughshod over country, it is easy to despair. Between his crony appointments, a GOP-controlled Congress ready to rubber stamp his entire regressive agenda while turning a blind eye to his blatant corruption, and a Supreme Court now stacked with corporatist shills for the next generation, is there any hope? The answer is yes. The outlook for the county and the world may seem grim at the moment – but the good news is that the checks and balances designed by the...

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Trump Junior’s Legal Bills Are Being Paid Out of Campaign Funds

Trump Junior’s Legal Bills Are Being Paid Out of Campaign Funds

Posted by | Jul 20, 2017 | , |

One thing is certain these days – working as the Trump family legal counsel means virtually guaranteed employment security. According to a recent report filed with the Federal Election Commission, “Donald J. Trump For President, Inc.” spent almost $700,000 on legal fees during the second quarter of this year –  a 100% increase from the previous quarter. Nearly 15% of that was spent on representation for his son, Donald Trump Jr.. On June 27, Trump wrote a check for $50,000 to the law offices of Alan S. Futerfas, who represents Donald Jr. in the current investigations into his involvement with Russian...

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U.S. Air Force Pushes Back on Trump’s Executive Order Expanding Offshore Drilling

U.S. Air Force Pushes Back on Trump’s Executive Order Expanding Offshore Drilling

Posted by | Jul 19, 2017 | , , |

On April 28th, working at the behest of his handlers in the fossil fuel industry, Donald Trump signed yet another(!) of his infamous executive orders, potentially expanding offshore oil and gas drilling operations pretty much anywhere and everywhere. The order’s reach would include the Arctic, Atlantic, Pacific ocean, as well as the Gulf of Mexico. Fortunately for the planet, Trump’s attempts to dismantle Obama’s environmental legacy have been running into opposition from environmental groups, state and local governments, native tribes, lawmakers (on both sides of the aisle) and now, the United States Air Force. The question now is –...

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Texas Tries for Decades to Execute Mentally Incompetent Man

Texas Tries for Decades to Execute Mentally Incompetent Man

Posted by | Jul 18, 2017 | |

There is no question about Texas death row inmate Scott Panetti’s guilt. In 1992, Panetti murdered his in-laws, then held his wife and daughter hostage before surrendering to authorities several hours later. He was found guilty and sentenced to death three years later. What is in question is whether or not he is mentally competent enough to understand the consequences of his actions, and why he has been given the death penalty. Last week, a U.S. appeals court ruled that the federal government must provide Panetti with a mental health specialist and an investigator to assist him in appealing...

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