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WISCONSIN In the fourth hearing of the January 6th Select Committee, we learned more about the pressure campaign of Trump and his MAGA allies to overturn the results of the election. An all-Republican panel first detailed Trump and his officials harassment, and an election worker and her mother described their experiences after they were falsely accused by Trump of meddling in the election.

Trump pressured state officials to overthrow the will of the people in order to stay in power, and exposed election workers to threats and harassment by publicly and falsely accusing them of crimes, said Defend Democracy Project Communications Director Nicole Haley. There is no depth that Trump will not sink to, including attacking innocent people for just doing their jobs. The threat is ongoing, and those involved must be held accountable no matter if they are former presidents, members of Congress, or other officials.

1. Officials described Trump and his allies campaign to pressure officials to overturn the results of the election they lost.

2. Officials found no evidence of voter fraud in Arizona and Georgia.

3. At least one U.S. congressman and one senator participated in the conspiracy by pressuring state officials and trying to deliver fake elector certificates to Vice President Pence.

4. President Trumps blatantly illegal actions directly resulted in threats of violence against people doing their jobs and carrying out their oaths to the Constitution.

Excerpt from:
Defend Democracy Project: Jan 6th hearing takeaways - WisPolitics.com

Democracy cannot succeed unless those who express their choice are prepared to choose wisely. The real safeguard of democracy, therefore, is education. (President Franklin D. Roosevelt)

The recent controversies about the Amity Regional School District budget demonstrate the poignancy of these words. Indeed, in this era of unlimited sources of information and ideas, we and our children need to be educated on how to discern facts from misleading or false statements and how to identify reliable sources of information. This is crucial and increasingly difficult.

One budget-related topic where confusion about the facts was widespread concerned surplus in the Amity budget. Some were critical that there were yearly surpluses and others focused on the purported cost to taxpayers of the surpluses. Amity Board of Education members explained various reasons for surpluses, including the unpredictability of special education costs and variability in state grants.

As to the cost of carrying a surplus, the oft-repeated claim that Amity had a $3M surplus for each of the last 4 years and that the cost to taxpayers was $12M was blatantly wrong in two respects. Amity Board of Education members explained why. First, it confuses a surplus with an expense. It is the same $3M that gets carried over year to year. Likewise, the cost to taxpayers of carrying a surplus is at most the interest lost on the money. Generously estimating a 3% interest rate over those years, the cost would be $90,000 per year (for all 3 towns) approximately $6-$10 per year per household.

What we learned from this: there needs to be clearer, accessible information made widely available concerning how the Amity budget is developed, why some amount of surplus may be necessary and whether it has been the correct amount, and why funding the schools to assure a top-notch education is so important for our children and to our community.

Another controversy about the budget centered on hiring a part-time Diversity, Equity & Inclusion (DEI) instructional coach. Opponents claimed that this would foster an us versus them culture in the school, and worse. Here again, Amity Board of Education members explained their commitment to addressing inclusion and equity in a way that is positive for everyone[and] makes ALL children feel like they belong at school. Equity is about allowing EVERY child to reach their full potential.

What we learned from this: some in the community are not as committed as others to providing an inclusive and affirming environment for all members of our school community; others are confused about the goals and importance of DEI principles; and the majority of us are firmly committed to the goals of DEI. DEI reflects our increasingly diverse Town and nation and expresses the values that make our community robust, welcoming and healthy. We must continue to educate our neighbors about the need for and goals of DEI.

We in Woodbridge have long demonstrated the high value we place on education through our budget: approximately 2/3 of our spending goes to supporting our schools. Yet even this fundamental community commitment appeared to be under attack during the recent Amity Budget controversy.

What we learned from this: there is a large group of committed Woodbridge residents who are ready to step up and come together to ensure that our already fine schools are even stronger, more supportive, and more inclusive places of learning. These are the future leaders of Woodbridge, and with their engagement, our Town will continue to thrive as the vibrant, welcoming community we all call home.

If you are interested in learning more about the Woodbridge Democratic Town Committee, please get in touch with us by email: woodbridgeCTdems@gmail.com or visit our website: woodbridgeCTdems.org.

See more here:
Education: The Safeguard of Democracy Woodbridge Town News - Woodbridge Town News

Donald Trump

With the June Jan. 6 hearings wrapping up Thursday and Colorados primary election set for Tuesday, June 28, the debate over where candidates stand on the 2020 presidential contest whether they still believe in the big lie or the fact of a free and fair election is raging from Eagle County to Washington, D.C.

Its too late to mail in your Colorado primary ballot, butnot too late to voteon a slate of candidates who could have an enormous say at the state level in how future federal and local elections are conducted and whether everyone has the same access to voting.

With the future of representative democracy at stake with this and every ensuing local, state and federal election, RealVail.com has been asking candidates their positions on the Jan. 6, 2021, attack on the U.S. Capitol and the role of state lawmakers and election officials (more from our local candidates below).

The bipartisanU.S. House Select Committeeto Investigate the January 6thAttack on the U.S. Capitol concluded its June hearings with a fifth edition on Thursday, with more hearings on tap for July. So far, the committee has done an excellent job detailing just how close the country came to a full-blown crisis.

In the first hearing, it was demonstrated how former President Donald Trumps closest campaign and legal advisorstold him he had had lost the electionto President Joe Biden but Trump spread the big lie anyway, seeking out allies everywhere.

In the second hearing, Trump was shown to haveknowingly fleeced his base of supportersby spreading the big lie for financial gain, raking in huge amounts of cash for a legal defense fund that did not exist. The lie led to deadly violence on Jan. 6.

The third hearing showed how Vice President Mike Pence looked for reasons to back Trumps corrupt electoral college scheme, devised by complicit attorney John Eastman while he worked for the University of Colorado, butbalked when he was advised such a plot was illegal.

The pressure campaign on Pence, includingwhile he was on a family vacation in Vailover the Christmas holiday in 2020, included veiled threats from Republican Congresswoman Lauren Boebert, whose district includes part of Eagle County.

Boebert, who on Jan. 6 proclaimedToday is 1776, took this shot at Pence on Jan. 2:VP Pence needs to be Thomas Jefferson in this moment, Boeberttweeted, referencinga precedent that did not exist. We have your back if youve got ours, @VP.Boebert faces a GOP primary challengeon Tuesday from moderate Republican state Sen. Don Coram.

In the Jan. 6 committees fourth hearing, the real-life impacts of Trumps big lie beyond the fatalities and injured police during the assault were demonstrated by state and local election officials who werethreatened and attacked across the country. The illegal scheme to send illegitimate alternate slates of electors to Washington was also revealed in greater detail.

Andin Thursdays fifth hearing, lawmakers showed proof of how Trump nearly pressured the U.S. Justice Department into falsely claiming the election was stolen a plot that was only derailed by the threat of mass resignations by Justice officials.

Perhaps most importantly, the committee has demonstrated that Trump and many members of the Republican Party are engaged in an ongoing plot to undermine more than two centurys of institutional norms that support the very foundations of American democracy, and that, given the chance, they will try again in 2024.

Besides big lie proponents such as Boebert on Tuesdays ballot,indicted and disgracedMesa County Clerk and Recorder Tina Peters is trying to become Colorado secretary of state, Jan. 6 participant Ron Hanks wants to be a U.S. senator, and CU RegentHeidi Ganahl, whorefuses to condemn Eastmanfor hisrole in the Jan. 6 attack, wants to be Colorado governor.

Those are just a few reasons to head to a vote center or find a drop box on Tuesday. Also on the ballot for Republicans or unaffiliated voters who choose to vote GOP (only submit one partys ballot or both will be thrown out), is the state House District 26 race, which includes most of Eagle County.

Republican Savannah Wolfson of Oak Creek takes on Glenn Lowe of Eagle, who has not answered any of RealVail.coms campaign questions. Democrat Meghan Lukens of Steamboat Springs does not have a primary opponent. Heres how Wolfson and Lukensanswered questionsabout the 2020 election.

RV:Is Joe Biden the freely and fairly elected president of the United States, or do you agree with former President Donald Trump that there was widespread voter fraud in 2020?

ML:Joe Biden is the freely and fairly elected President of the United States.

SW:Joe Biden was certified by the electoral college and is president of the United States, or we would not be dealing with the massive fallout of his failed presidency. We must look forward, take back the Legislative branch in 22, and stop his extreme agendas. In his short amount of time in office, he has shown the American people that you cannot give the government more power without taking power away from sovereign individuals. His foreign policy all over the world has been both dangerous and embarrassing, and the debacle in Afghanistan made me question, as a military spouse, that the life of my husband is valued by our government. On the subject of voter fraud, there are always things we can do to increase election security, and we should do them moving forward. I encourage everyone who reads this to become an election judge this year and stay until the process is done. We have had a shortage of Republican election judges in this district in the past, and its time to change that.

RV:Do you agree with an RNC resolution censuring Liz Cheney and Adam Kinzinger [for serving on the Jan. 6 committee] and declaring Jan. 6 legitimate political discourse?

ML:No.

SW:I am ready to look forward and deal with our local issues, and I think most Coloradans are too. The average moms and dads I talk to in our district are not very worried about Liz Cheney in their day to day lives. They are worried about filling their tanks with gas and focused on their childrens education. The ranchers are worried about wolf reintroduction and the constant attacks on agriculture from state leadership. The energy workers are worried about their jobs being shut down. These are the areas I am focused on improving.

RV:Should Colorado pass laws and take actions aimed at election security up to and including sending alternate presidential electors in the 2024 presidential election?

ML:Colorado is a leader in voting rights and election security. Our voting system in the state of Colorado has proven to be effective, safe, and accessible. I do not see a need to send alternate presidential electors in the 2024 presidential election.

SW:Im always for improving security where there are gaps, and that should be bipartisan. I do not agree that our system legally allows alternate electors. However, if non-candidates want to take action, they can do so by becoming an election judge and staying until the process is over. We all want to bring balance back to the state legislature and that is what I will do as your legislator.

In the state Senate District 8 race, there are no primary challengers for RepublicanMatt Solomonof Eagle and DemocratDylan Robertsof Avon, but heres where they stand on the 2020 election ahead of the Nov. 8 general election:

RV:Is Joe Biden the freely and fairly elected president of the United States, or do you agree with former President Donald Trump that there was widespread voter fraud in 2020?

DR:Joe Biden is the freely and fairly elected President.

MS:Joe Biden was sworn into office as our President in January 2020. Until and unless the courts show otherwise, he is our president.

RV:Do you agree with the RNC resolution censuring Liz Cheney and Adam Kinzinger [for serving on the Jan. 6 committee] and declaring Jan. 6 legitimate political discourse?

DR:No.

MS:The political environment in our country has been so divisive and negative, it is no wonder the majority of people in our Senate District 8 are unaffiliated or claim independence. January 6 is one more example of this negative divisiveness that we must overcome.

RV:Should Colorado pass laws and take actions aimed at election security up to and including sending alternate presidential electors in the 2024 presidential election?

DR:Our Colorado Constitution and election laws set forth a clear and reliable way to elect the President and all other elected offices. Colorado also has a secure, reliable, and consistently-audited election system that works well. I am always open to changes to law that make our elections more reliable and secure but do not see a reason to consider alternate electors or any reforms along those lines.

MS:While none of us in Senate District 8 want to be micro managed by an overbearing government and we all want to have the utmost faith in the process, election security is a very important issue. It could include everything from alternate presidential electors, to mandatory identifications for voters, to special paper on which ballots would be printed. Before agreeing that Colorado should pass laws and take actions, though, we must first read and understand the language of said proposals so we can ensure the long-term goals of fair, free, and secure elections are actually met.

David O. Williams is the editor and co-founder of RealVail.com and has had his awarding-winning work (see About Us) published in more than 75 newspapers and magazines around the world, including 5280 Magazine, American Way Magazine (American Airlines), the Anchorage Daily News (Alaska), the Anchorage Daily Press (Alaska), Aspen Daily News, Aspen Journalism, the Aspen Times, Beaver Creek Magazine, the Boulder Daily Camera, the Casper Star Tribune (Wyoming), the Chicago Tribune, Colorado Central Magazine, the Colorado Independent (formerly Colorado Confidential), Colorado Politics (formerly the Colorado Statesman), Colorado Public News, the Colorado Springs Gazette, the Colorado Springs Independent, the Colorado Statesman (now Colorado Politics), the Colorado Times Recorder, the Cortez Journal, the Craig Daily Press, the Curry Coastal Pilot (Oregon), the Daily Trail (Vail), the Del Norte Triplicate (California), the Denver Daily News, the Denver Gazette, the Denver Post, the Durango Herald, the Eagle Valley Enterprise, the Eastside Journal (Bellevue, Washington), ESPN.com, Explore Big Sky (Mont.), the Fort Morgan Times (Colorado), the Glenwood Springs Post-Independent, the Grand Junction Daily Sentinel, the Greeley Tribune, the Huffington Post, the King County Journal (Seattle, Washington), the Kingman Daily Miner (Arizona), KUNC.org (northern Colorado), LA Weekly, the Las Vegas Sun, the Leadville Herald-Democrat, the London Daily Mirror, the Moab Times Independent (Utah), the Montgomery Journal (Maryland), the Montrose Daily Press, The New York Times, the Parents Handbook, Peaks Magazine (now Epic Life), People Magazine, Powder Magazine, the Pueblo Chieftain, PT Magazine, the Rio Blanco Herald Times (Colorado), Rocky Mountain Golf Magazine, the Rocky Mountain News, RouteFifty.com (formerly Government Executive State and Local), the Salt Lake Tribune, SKI Magazine, Ski Area Management, SKIING Magazine, the Sky-Hi News, the Steamboat Pilot & Today, the Sterling Journal Advocate (Colorado), the Summit Daily News, United Hemispheres (United Airlines), Vail/Beaver Creek Magazine, Vail en Espaol, Vail Health Magazine, Vail Valley Magazine, the Vail Daily, the Vail Trail, Westword (Denver), Writers on the Range and the Wyoming Tribune Eagle. Williams is also the founder, publisher and editor of RealVail.com and RockyMountainPost.com.

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Democracy itself is on the ballot in Tuesday's Colorado primary election - RealVail

Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell testified before the Senate Banking Committee Wednesday. Last week the Fed ordered the largest interest rate increase since 1994. Powell acknowledged the rate hike could lead to a recession and would not lead to lower gas and food prices. Powell was questioned by Democratic Senator Elizabeth Warren.

Sen. Elizabeth Warren: Chair Powell, will gas prices go down as a result of your interest rate increase?

Jerome Powell: I would not think so, no.

Sen. Elizabeth Warren: OK. And that matters because gas prices are one of the single biggest drivers of inflation. Chair Powell, will the Feds interest rate increases bring food prices down for families?

Jerome Powell: I wouldnt say so, no.

Sen. Elizabeth Warren: The reason I raise this and the reason Im so concerned about this is rate increases make it more likely that companies will fire people and slash hours to shrink wage costs. Rate increases also make it more expensive for families to do things like borrow money for a house. And so far, the cost this year of a mortgage has already doubled.

See the rest here:
Elizabeth Warren Blasts Fed Chair Jerome Powell on Hiking Interest Rates - Democracy Now!

For Isatou Ceesay and Tombong Njie, the term witch hunt is not metaphorical. Under the regime of former dictator Yahya Jammeh, they were both literally condemned as witches.

He held people in custody, tortured them, and that was the end of them, says Ms. Ceesay. We were so embarrassed to go out. We are not witches, adds Ms. Njie.

During his 22 years in power, former President Jammeh severely weakened the countrys institutions and security apparatus. The regime was characterized by harassment; torture; the murder of political figures, journalists, activists, and students; and significant sexual and gender-based violence against women and children.

Ms. Ceesay, Ms. Njie, and many other Gambians still carry the scars of the abuses of the witch hunt campaign, which began in 2009 and lasted several years. Victims struggled to escape the stigma associated with witches.

UNDP Gambia

Isatou Ceesay, a victim of the Gambian 'witch hunt' campaign.

In 2016, the Gambians voted out President Jammeh, and the new President, Adama Barrow, was sworn into office in February 2017. However, the nation of two million people faced a severe political and social crisis with the absence of independent or effective justice institutions and rampant human rights abuses.

The political transition required urgent reforms to overhaul the country's institutions, promote democratic governance, address past human rights abuses and establish respect for the rule of law.

One of the ways that the UN has helped to support this transition is through the UN Secretary-Generals Peacebuilding Fund, which provided funds aimed at critical areas, such as security sector and justice reform.

The UNs close collaboration with the authorities, under President Barrow, laid the foundations for two major institutions in December 2017: The National Human Rights Commission and the Truth, Reconciliation and Reparations Commission (TRRC), which is made up of eleven people, and designed to reflect the diverse ethnic, religious, and gender make-up of the country.

UNDP Gambia

Tombong Njie suffered as a result of the 'witch hunts' instigated by former President of The Gambia, Yahya Jammeh.

In January 2019, public truth and reconciliation hearings began, with victims and perpetrators giving their personal testimonies. The hearings and outreach activities generated great public interest and broad popular participation, including youth and civil society.

"The TRRC is very important. I have seen how it has helped people empathize with us, knowing that we were deliberately and wrongfully accused," said Pa Demba Bojang, a victim of the witch hunt campaign.

"People now aspire to live in peace in this country. Victims' lives have become better thanks to the help they got from the project. The project has brought back hope in The Gambia," said another victim.

The hearings were broadcast live to on television, radio, and online platforms such as YouTube and Facebook. They would not have made for easy viewing, covering incidents of human rights violations, including torture, enforced disappearance, arbitrary arrests, unlawful detention/killings, and sexual and gender-based violence.

UNDP The Gambia

Ya Jai Bahoum, a victim of the repressive regime of Gambian dictator Yahya Jammeh

The UN Peacebuilding Fund played a key role in enabling the hearings to take place. It enabled the Commissions office to open, provided key equipment, technical support to the Commissioners and the staff, and helped ensure victims access to the TRRC proceedings, which involved reaching out to those in the most remote areas of the country.

Some 2,000 people benefitted from the Victim Participation Support Fund, which provided psychosocial support and essential medical interventions. In addition, 30 persons were provided with comprehensive witness protection.

Beyond the hearings, over 34,000 Gambians have involved in outreach missions on the transitional justice process, and taken part in workshops, held in close partnership with civil society organizations, religious and traditional leaders.

Since it began holding hearings, the Commission participatory and accessible process has helped to foster national reconciliation. "We were wrongfully accused. Some pointed fingers at us, but TRRC helped us overcome this shame," said another victim of the witch hunt campaign.

Read this article:
Building peace: Plotting a route towards democracy in The Gambia - UN News