The president discusses the long-term deal with Iran that comes after two years of negotiations.
Tuesday, July 14, 2015
2016 Republican Candidates Slam Iran Nuke Deal
Republican presidential candidates swiftly
denounced the sweeping nuclear deal between Iran and other world powers
on Tuesday, calling the agreement backed by President Barack Obama a
dangerous threat to the security of the United States and Israel.
Republican Scott Walker, who officially entered
the GOP nominating contest just hours before the deal was announced,
said that it "will be remembered as one of America's worst diplomatic
failures."
""I call on all congressional leaders and
presidential candidates, including Secretary Clinton, to repudiate this
agreement," he said in a statement.
In an interview on MSNBC's Morning Joe, South
Carolina Sen. Lindsey Graham said that the deal would ensure a nuclear
arms race in the Mideast and create "a possible death sentence for
Israel."
Full article available here: Iran Nuke Deal Slammed by GOP Candies
Source: NBC News
Monday, July 13, 2015
President and Vice President Meet with Prime Minister of Ukraine
Leaders Agreed on the Importance of Ukraine
Passing Additional Reform Measures
Passing Additional Reform Measures
President Obama
dropped by a meeting today between Vice President Biden and Prime
Minister Arseniy Yatsenyuk of Ukraine. President Obama and Vice
President Biden both expressed unwavering
support for Ukraine's sovereignty and territorial integrity, and
underscored the U.S. commitment to maintaining sanctions on Russia until
it fully implements its obligations under the Minsk agreements. The
President and Vice President commended the Government
of Ukraine for the steps it has taken to implement its obligations
under the Minsk agreements, including the submission to Ukraine's
parliament of draft constitutional amendments on decentralization. The
President and Vice President also welcomed the Government
of Ukraine's ambitious economic reform agenda, which was discussed
extensively today at the U.S.-Ukraine Business Forum in Washington, as
well as the government's strong stand against populist measures that
could undermine Ukraine's financial stability. The
leaders agreed on the importance of Ukraine passing additional reform
measures, including in the energy sector, to fulfil its commitments to
the IMF and other international financial institutions.
Source: White House Press Office
Source: White House Press Office
New York City Reaches $5.9 Million Settlement With Family of Eric Garner
New York City reached a $5.9 million settlement Monday with the
family of Eric Garner, whose death after he was placed in a chokehold by
a police officer sparked a public outcry, officials said.
Garner's family filed notice of a $75 million lawsuit against New York City and the New York Police Department last October, according to New York City Comptroller Scott M. Stringer, who announced the settlement.
"Following a judicious review of the claim and
facts of this case, my office was able to reach a settlement with the
estate of Eric Garner that is in the best interests of all parties,"
Stringer said in a statement.
Garner, 46, died on Staten Island on July 17, 2014, during an arrest for allegedly selling untaxed, single cigarettes.
Full article and accompanying videos available here: Settlement Reached
Source: NBC News
Beware! Scam on Tix to See Pope Francis During New York Visit
Governor Andrew Cuomo today warned New
Yorkers of scams surrounding Pope Francis' scheduled September visit,
urging those interested to only get tickets from verified sources. The
Archdiocese of New York has confirmed that tickets will not be sold for
any of the Pope’s planned events and will only be made available through
Catholic parishes. Additionally, other dioceses in New York State
(Brooklyn, Rockville Centre, Albany, Syracuse, Ogdensburg, Rochester and
Buffalo) will receive tickets to distribute to their members.
“We are proud to welcome Pope Francis to New York and I urge those interested in attending his events to obtain tickets only through the verified Catholic parishes," Governor Cuomo said. "Anyone attempting to sell tickets is a scam artist and should be avoided at all costs. Making certain that you receive valid tickets will ensure that this event remains joyous and festive for all."
Pope Francis will visit New York City on September 24th and 25th as part of his visit to the United States—the first papal visit since 2008. Consumers are urged not to respond to any solicitation about purchasing tickets for the papal visit as tickets will not be sold and can only be obtained through the various Archdiocese in New York State and their parishes. There will be no tickets available through any other means.
New Yorkers should be aware that ticketing scams are not rare, and include previously used tickets, resale of lost or stolen tickets, online auction fraud, counterfeiting, tickets for non-existent events, fictitious tickets, and fake web sites. Scammers tend to victimize those dedicated New Yorkers who will spend generously to attend certain events. With their enthusiasm to obtain admittance to the event of choice, consumers fail to take safety precautions, and fall victim to scams.
The New York Department of State’s Division of Consumer Protection is advising the public to follow these tips to avoid becoming a victim:
“We are proud to welcome Pope Francis to New York and I urge those interested in attending his events to obtain tickets only through the verified Catholic parishes," Governor Cuomo said. "Anyone attempting to sell tickets is a scam artist and should be avoided at all costs. Making certain that you receive valid tickets will ensure that this event remains joyous and festive for all."
Pope Francis will visit New York City on September 24th and 25th as part of his visit to the United States—the first papal visit since 2008. Consumers are urged not to respond to any solicitation about purchasing tickets for the papal visit as tickets will not be sold and can only be obtained through the various Archdiocese in New York State and their parishes. There will be no tickets available through any other means.
New Yorkers should be aware that ticketing scams are not rare, and include previously used tickets, resale of lost or stolen tickets, online auction fraud, counterfeiting, tickets for non-existent events, fictitious tickets, and fake web sites. Scammers tend to victimize those dedicated New Yorkers who will spend generously to attend certain events. With their enthusiasm to obtain admittance to the event of choice, consumers fail to take safety precautions, and fall victim to scams.
The New York Department of State’s Division of Consumer Protection is advising the public to follow these tips to avoid becoming a victim:
Check the validity of the Source: Always investigate the ticket source. If you obtain a ticket from an unverifiable source, you are taking a risk.
Avoid clicking on links from unsolicited offers or unknown sources:
These messages may direct you to mirror websites, sites that have a
similar look as the legitimate site and pretends to perform the actions
of the legitimate site. Mirror sites will try to obtain personal financial information that can further harm you and your credit.
Don’t wire transfer any money or payment: If someone asks you to send money via a wire service, that person is most likely a scammer.
Don’t fall for high-pressure tactics: The first line of defense against getting victimized is to remain calm and avoid pressure tactics. Scammers always try to hurry their victims into making a decision.
For more information on the Pope’s visit, go to www.popefrancisnyc.org.To report a scam or file a consumer complaint, contact the New York
State Department of State’s Division of Consumer Protection at 518-474-8583 or visit www.dos.ny.gov/
NY Unemployment Insurance Interest Assessment Surcharge to Employers to Decrease
Surcharge Scheduled to be Phased Out Next Year
The 2015 Unemployment Insurance Interest Assessment Surcharge will
decrease to the lowest level in five years and is scheduled to be phased
out by 2016.
“The sharp reduction and eventual elimination of this fee on businesses shows the strength of New York’s rebounding private sector and the effectiveness of this administration’s efforts to grow this state’s economy and reform the Unemployment Insurance Trust Fund,” Governor Cuomo said. “This is yet another example of how New York is on the move.”
This year, the average business will be assessed less than one dollar per employee ($0.93). In addition, more than 123,000 employers that have an amount due of less than $1.00 will not receive an Interest Assessment Surcharge (IAS) bill at all. Unemployment Insurance reforms, along with improved economic conditions, have led to the Unemployment Insurance Trust Fund achieving a positive balance for the first time since 2009 and an Interest Assessment Surcharge rate that has dropped from $21.25 per employee in 2011 to just $0.93 per employee for 2015.
For seven years, the State’s Unemployment Insurance Trust Fund did not have enough funds to pay for claims filed by unemployed workers. As a result, New York was forced to borrow funds from the federal government to cover the difference and, as required by law, employers were assessed a temporary IAS to pay the interest on the $3.5 billion debt.
“The sharp reduction and eventual elimination of this fee on businesses shows the strength of New York’s rebounding private sector and the effectiveness of this administration’s efforts to grow this state’s economy and reform the Unemployment Insurance Trust Fund,” Governor Cuomo said. “This is yet another example of how New York is on the move.”
This year, the average business will be assessed less than one dollar per employee ($0.93). In addition, more than 123,000 employers that have an amount due of less than $1.00 will not receive an Interest Assessment Surcharge (IAS) bill at all. Unemployment Insurance reforms, along with improved economic conditions, have led to the Unemployment Insurance Trust Fund achieving a positive balance for the first time since 2009 and an Interest Assessment Surcharge rate that has dropped from $21.25 per employee in 2011 to just $0.93 per employee for 2015.
For seven years, the State’s Unemployment Insurance Trust Fund did not have enough funds to pay for claims filed by unemployed workers. As a result, New York was forced to borrow funds from the federal government to cover the difference and, as required by law, employers were assessed a temporary IAS to pay the interest on the $3.5 billion debt.
In March 2013, Governor Cuomo signed into
law a major reform to the State’s Unemployment Insurance System.
Included in the law was a mechanism to pay back the federal loan faster
as well as add fund stability and, therefore, predictability for
employers. Much like paying off the balance of a credit card early to
avoid escalating interest costs, the reform law was designed to repay
the Trust Fund loan sooner, saving New York businesses an estimated
$200+ million in interest.
Acting Labor Commissioner Mario J. Musolino said, “This rate reduction is welcome news for New York’s businesses, who can look forward to another year of continued assessment relief.”
For questions regarding the IAS, contact the Department of Labor at (888) 899-8810.
Acting Labor Commissioner Mario J. Musolino said, “This rate reduction is welcome news for New York’s businesses, who can look forward to another year of continued assessment relief.”
For questions regarding the IAS, contact the Department of Labor at (888) 899-8810.
One Year After Eric Garner’s Death, ‘Justice for Garner’ Rally to Take Place July 18
As the KKK Holds a Pro-Confederate Flag Rally, Rev. Al Sharpton to Call for the Renaming of Robert E. Lee Avenue in Brooklyn
NEW YORK - One year since the police chokehold death of Eric Garner, no federal charges have been filed against the officer who killed Mr. Garner in Staten Island and three years after the police shooting of teenager Ramarley Graham in the Bronx, both families have yet to see justice. President and founder of National Action Network (NAN), Reverend Al Sharpton and his coalition will rally and take a petition to the United States Justice Department to demand expedited federal investigations in Garner and Graham’s killings and call for justice system reform and police accountability.
The rally will also call for the immediate renaming of Robert E. Lee Avenue, a street named in honor of Confederate General Robert E. Lee on Fort Hamilton, which is New York’s only United States military base. It will be held in solidarity and remembrance of the lives lost in Charleston, South Carolina, and in protest of the Ku Klux Klan pro-Confederate flag rally at the South Carolina Statehouse taking place at the same time.
WHO:
The Family of police-chokehold victim Eric Garner, including Gwen Carr, his mother,
his children and wife Esaw Garner; the mothers of national
police-killing cases Sybrina Fulton (Trayvon Martin), Lesley McFadden
(Michael Brown), Valerie Bell (Sean Bell), Constance Malcolm (Ramarley
Graham) and more
The Justice for Eric Garner Rally Organizers: National Action Network (NAN), 1199 SEIU United Healthcare Workers East, NYC Communities for Change, Center for Constitutional Rights (CCR), Working Families (WF) & New York State Nurses Association
WHEN:
Saturday, July 18, 2015 - 12:30 p.m.
WHAT: Rally at the U.S. Federal Courthouse Eastern District Cadman Plaza
WHERE:
225 Cadman Plaza at Tillary Street
Brooklyn, NY
Other Eric Garner Week Events:
Friday, July 17, 2015
7:30 p.m.
House of the Lord Church
401 Atlantic Avenue
The Mothers and families of police killing victims Gwen Carr, Leslie McFadden, Sybrina Fulton and others
7:30 p.m.
Vigil for Eric Garner hosted by the family of Eric Garner
Canaan Baptist Church of Christ
116th and Lenox – Harlem, NY
Source: The Office of the National Action Network
More Than $350,000 Available to Help Poor Families and Veterans Obtain Healthy Foods
State Expands Successful FreshConnect Program with More Funding and Year-Round Operation at Participating Markets across the State
Governor Andrew Cuomo today
announced that more than $350,000 is available to help low-income families and
veterans participate in the FreshConnect Checks Program, which increases the
purchasing power of food stamps used at participating farmers markets. More
than 84,000 checks have already been issued to 152 sites across the state to
help eligible New Yorkers access healthy foods, including fruits and
vegetables. As the season progresses, additional checks will be issued reaching
even more consumers than last year and providing a boost to the agriculture
industry.
The program has also been
extended to operate year-round at participating farmers’ markets, providing the
opportunity to use checks 12 months a year. A full list and map of participating
venues can be found at http://freshconnect.ny.gov.
“The FreshConnect Program
allows New Yorkers in need to access locally grown fruits and vegetables, and
this year we’re going above and beyond to help people eat healthy,” Governor
Cuomo said. “By increasing the amount of funding available and adding
year-round partners to the program, we are promoting healthier habits and
making a difference in communities across the state.”
The FreshConnect Checks
program encourages recipients to use their Supplemental Nutrition Assistance
Program (SNAP) benefits at participating farmers’ markets. The checks provide
$2 incentive checks for every $5 in food stamps spent, increasing the
purchasing power of SNAP consumers by 40 percent. In 2014, more than $3.2
million in SNAP sales occurred at farmers' markets throughout the state.
Following the pilot program in
2014, $60,000 in FreshConnect Checks will again be available to Veterans,
Servicemembers, and their immediate family members at New York State Division
of Veterans' Affairs offices, on a first-come, first-served basis. Office
locations are located on the FreshConnect website.
The Division of Veterans'
Affairs will also be bringing checks to a variety of outreach events throughout
New York State. This is a new initiative this year to bring the checks directly
to eligible recipients. Communities interested in having a State Veterans
Counselor distribute FreshConnect checks at an outreach event are asked to call
518-474-6114.
In addition, $50,000 will
develop and implement the Market Manager Certification Program, a new
initiative of the FreshConnect Program that will launch this fall. The Farmers’
Market Federation of New York, SUNY Cobleskill and Cornell Cooperative
Extension will partner to present an intensive, three-day training session in
the coming months and develop online training modules for future market
managers.
State Agriculture Commissioner
Richard A. Ball said, “The FreshConnect program first launched five years ago
as part of the Governor’s efforts to invest in the state’s agriculture
industry. Every year, the program has grown as the local food movement
continues to grow. This year, we’re seeing an increased number of checks being
distributed and an extended season to use them, which is benefiting both
consumers looking for healthy alternatives and farmers expanding their reach
into new markets.”
New York State Division of
Veterans' Affairs Director, Eric Hesse said, "The Division of Veterans'
Affairs is proud to partner with the Department of Agriculture and Markets for
the second consecutive year on this important initiative. Providing this
benefit for Veterans and their families, and expanding the program this year to
include active duty Servicemembers and their families is a way that New York
State can thank these men and women for their service. We look forward to
giving these checks to them at our offices and at outreach events around the
state."
Office of Temporary and
Disability Assistance Commissioner Samuel D. Roberts said, “It's great news
that the FreshConnect Checks Program has been extended year-round at some
farmers markets. That means SNAP recipients can increase their benefits and
have access to fresh produce all year."
Empire State Development
President, CEO and Commissioner Howard Zemsky said, “FreshConnect's healthy
food options will enrich the lives of low-income families and veterans and the
Market Manager Certification Program will improve the ability of farmers’ markets
to promote participating vendors. Programs like FreshConnect and the Market
Manager Certification help local farmers continue to grow their businesses in
New York State.”
Farmers’ Market Federation of
New York Executive Director Diane Eggert said, “The FreshConnect Program,
dedicated to the growth and support of farmers markets, is helping to establish
professional management for farmers markets. The program will teach best
practices for farmers’ market management, and tactics and techniques for expanding
farmers markets. Certified managers will be in a position to leverage
additional support for the market and ensure its overall success.”
FreshConnect-funded projects
aim to ensure that all New Yorkers, regardless of income, have access to fresh
fruits and vegetables and are encouraged to accept other nutrition incentives,
such as Women, Infants and Children (WIC) Fruit & Vegetable Checks,
Farmers' Market Nutrition Program checks, and Senior Farmers' Market Nutrition
checks.
Military Families Pay Financial Price for Service
Survey: Military Families Carry More Debt, Have Fewer Assets Than Civilians
Many members of the U.S. armed forces pay a
financial price for their service to the country, often carrying higher
credit card debt and owning fewer assets than civilians, a new survey
shows.
The survey done for the National Foundation for
Credit Counseling (NFCC) found that veterans and active duty personnel
and their families often face unique circumstances, such as frequent
relocation and deployment, which can put a significant strain on their
finances.
"This is a serious problem," said Susan Keating,
NFCC president and CEO. "The issue of financial stability for those who
serve our country is a real concern."
The NFCC survey looked at people who took part in the foundation's Sharpen Your Financial Focus
program to deal with debt. They found that when compared to all the
participants in the program, the average military family had:
- 7 percent higher unsecured debt balances, or $400-$500 more than the average.
- 16 percent fewer tangible asset ($11,000 less).
- 15 percent higher monthly debt-related expenses ($200 more).
"I think this higher-than-average burden of debt
leads to some significant financial constraints on these military
households," said Stephen Roll, an Ohio State University researcher who
analyzed the data for the NFCC.
And with the continued reduction in forces, the situation may get worse, as more service members try to find civilian jobs.
Full article available here: Military Families in Debt
Source: NBC News
Trailblazers in Black History: George W. Johnson
Here is a Marconi Velvet Tone Record from 1906 featuring George W. Johnson's famous Laughing Song. Johnson was the first African-American to sing on a record, as early as 1891. His prominent songs during the era of the 1890's were his "Laughing Song" heard here, and also "The Whistling Coon", and "the Laughing Coon". Johnson is one of the Featured Artists on the Grammy Award winning CD "Lost Sounds" (Blacks and the Birth of the Recording Industry 1891-1922" produced by Archeophone Records.)
Washington Journal: Ken Blackwell on Same-Sex Marriage and Religious Freedom
The Family Research Council’s Ken Blackwell joins to discuss the
recent Supreme Court decision on same-sex marriage and his group’s
response.
Source: C-Span
Washington Journal: Katrina vanden Heuvel on Progressive Politics
Katrina vanden Heuvel, editor and publisher of The Nation, joins to discuss progressive politics and the 2016 presidential campaign.
Video link: Progressive Politics
Source: C-Span
New York Blackout of 1977 (A Short Film)
Warning: Some may find the language in this video offensive. Viewer discretion is advised.
Misty Copeland's Hard-Fought Journey to Ballet Stardom
Copeland made history as the first African-American woman named principal dancer at the American Ballet Theater.
Dick Clarke: Cyber Security Efforts Show 'Almost Criminal Negligence'
ABC News' Pierre Thomas reports on fallout from a cyber attack on the U.S. government that has impacted 22 million people.
Cokie Roberts: Clinton 'Not on Her Game' in First 2016 National Interview
Van Jones, Greta Van Susteren, Kristen Soltis Anderson and Cokie Roberts join the "This Week" roundtable.
Doctors Hope Thawing Relations Bring Cuban Diabetes Drug 'Herberprot' to U.S.
A number of American doctors would like to see Herberprot, now being
used to treat diabetes in 26 countries, tested in the U.S. after a
decades-long embargo.
Sunday, July 12, 2015
Bernie and the Green Party
Bernie Sanders, 2016 presidential candidate
Future Hope column, July 9, 2015
Bernie and the Green Party
By Ted Glick
A few weeks after Bernie Sanders announced for President, I was pleased to see an email from someone who has been a leader in the US Green Party for about as long as it has existed, going back to the 80’s. In that email he referred positively to the development of the Bernie for President campaign. What he wrote was that by Sanders speaking out strongly on the issues and stirring things up, that would open people up to Green Party candidates and organizers saying similar things.
Since then, however, I’ve seen statements from a few other Greens critical of Bernie for his decision to run
within the Democratic primaries, or for positions he has taken on some issues.
What should the Green Party be saying about the very hopeful and amazingly fast-rising Sanders for President campaign?
One option, the one I hope it doesn’t take, is to stand on the sidelines of the campaign, being either silent or critical, saying, in effect, that Bernie shouldn’t be supported because, for the first time in his life, he is running for office as a Democrat, or because on a relative handful of issues, he doesn’t have a strong enough progressive position.
There are definitely Green Party members who believe that it is a contradiction to be a serious progressive and run for office as a Democrat, or to support someone doing so. In my view, they make the mistake of making the question of what party line you run on into a principle, which it is not—it is a tactical decision. This may not be true elsewhere in the world but it sure is in the United States where we have one of the most undemocratic and hostile-to-third-parties electoral systems in the world. An approach that narrows down who is progressive and trustworthy to whether or not they run as a Green or an independent is going to lead to a very narrowly-based party or movement. Maybe that will change somewhere down the road, years into the future, but it sure isn’t the case now.
The option on the other side of the possible options is for the national Green Party to decide to come out in support of Bernie. That would be a big deal.
If the Green Party did this, would it mean that it wouldn’t run its own Presidential candidate? Not necessarily. It could decide to give critical support to the Sanders campaign for as long as he is in the race while proceeding ahead with its internal processes to decide on a GP Presidential candidate and to petition to get ballot lines in states where it doesn’t have one. If Sanders doesn’t win the nomination, it can then move forward with its Presidential campaign.
What if Sanders does win the nomination, however? It’s a long shot for sure but not so long as things were looking just one month ago. If this happens, it would be an incredibly historic development. A proud “democratic socialist” capturing the nomination of the Democratic Party? It seems as impossible to believe as it was in 2007/2008 that a black man whose name was Barack Hussein Obama could win the Presidency.
In such a case, I would say, the Green Party and everyone else on the Left should throw themselves into trying to elect Bernie Sanders President, no doubt about it.
I have been a member of organizations working to build a political alternative to the Democrats and Republicans since 1975, 40 years ago. For just about all of that time I have believed that one key aspect of a strategy for a truly mass third party, a mass political alternative, a mass people’s alliance, is the necessity of a significant chunk of the left wing of the Democratic Party breaking from the corporatist/ corporate-influenced wing. My 40 years of experience has taught me how essential that is. And now the Sanders campaign is playing that role, sharpening the differences within the DP and functioning as a pole of attraction to bring together the mass popular alliance that is, indeed, a key aspect of a winning strategy for taking power away from the corporate rulers and building a government of the people, by the people and for the people.
Some in the Green Party don’t agree with that approach. Their approach, their strategy, seems to be to “build the Green Party.” I don’t see it happening, and I know it’s not going to happen in the next year or so if it sets itself apart from or in opposition to the Sanders for President mass movement. Indeed, as someone who has been an active member of the Green Party since 2000, who ran as the Green Party of NJ’s candidate for US Senate in 2002, who has been the co-chair of a local branch of the Green Party in northern NJ for over five years, and who has been supportive of a number of Green Party candidates, from local office up to the President, for all of that time, I think what the national party decides about the Sanders campaign is a very big deal.
Let the debate be joined.
Ted Glick has been a progressive activist and organizer since 1968 and a climate activist and organizer since 2004. Past writings and other information can be found at http://tedglick.com, and he can be followed on Twitter at http://twitter.com/jtglick.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)