Mediaboss Marketing

Many Americans are rightfully outraged at the firing of FBI Director James Comey, just as they were shocked at Comeys ability to influence political events. But what can we do about it?

A political movement should do more than just react to the days events with outrage, although thats important. It should also offer the vision of a better world.

Donald Trump will nominate the next FBI director. Barring something unexpected, his nominee will almost certainly be approved. But that doesnt mean the rest of us are powerless. We have the power to imagine a nation run on principles of economic and social justice. We can create a vision so compelling that it brings new people into politics, encourages more activism, and compels our political leaders to fight for it.

That vision can, and should, include the FBI.

Special Agents Force

The idea of a progressive FBI may seem strange, even preposterous, given that agencys real-world history. But, as explained inpart 1of this two-part series, the Bureau was created along progressive principles in 1908 by President Theodore Roosevelt and Attorney General Charles Bonaparte.

Its initial work was progressive, too. The original agency, which was then called the Special Agents Force, concentrated on investigating banking crimes, violations of antitrust law, peonage, which included debt servitude and misuse of prison labor, and land fraud. It also investigated people seeking citizenship.

That changed first, with the passage of the racist-inspired Mann Act, then with the political abuses and misdeeds of long-term director J. Edgar Hoover, and lastly with the political shifts of recent years.

Mission Creep

Today, the Bureau sees its mission in very different terms. The FBIswebsitelists its priorities in the following order: protect the United States from terrorist attack, stop foreign intelligence operations and espionage, end cyber-based attacks and high-technology crimes, fight public corruption at all levels, protect civil rights, combat transnational and other criminal organizations, fight white-collar crime, and combat major violent crime.

While all these objectives are worthwhile, its a telling list. Protecting civil rights is more than halfway down the list. Fighting organized crime the mission that made the FBI famous is near the bottom. White-collar crime, a category that includesthe massive bank fraud that cost the economy trillions of dollars and once put41 million American mortgages underwater, is second to last.

Fighting Discrimination

Imagine an FBI whose priorities more closely reflected its progressive roots. An FBI that cared more about civil rights would make it a priority to end discriminatory law enforcement practices. According to a study by the Department of Justice, black motorists were three times likelier than whites to be searched during a traffic stop. During encounters with police, African Americans were twice as likely to be arrested and almost four times as likely to experience the use of force. Once in the court system, black defendants were six times as likely to be imprisoned.

Hanging over all these encounters is the risk of violent death.

In 1892, even before the Special Agents Force was created, police chiefs around the country created the Criminal Investigation Bureau as a central repository for information on criminals. It, too, was eventually folded into the FBI. Why isnt the FBI using its data management function to track the fatal police shootings of black men, women, and children around the country?

White Collars, White Terror

If our law enforcement system made it a priority to fight organized crime, it would pay more attention to the Wall Street bankers at institutions who laundered money for the Mexican drug cartels. They went free, while kids on the corner went to jail.

And, speaking of white-collar crime: why isnt the FBI doing more to support the work of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, which has uncovered many cases of banker fraud, referred cases for criminal investigation, and returned $12 billions to ripped-off bank customers?

With the FBIs emphasis on terrorism, why hasnt more been done to combat the white sovereign citizens groups, militia/patriot groups, racist skinheads and neo-Nazis law enforcement officersnamedas the greatest terror threats? Why hasnt it done more to protect the Muslims, Jews, Sikhs, and other minorities targeted by these terrorists?

Republicansapplied political pressureto protect these groups from investigation, to their great discredit, but the FBI needs a leader who will resist that kind of pressure.

Looking for Leadership

FBI agents have a tough job. They deserve respect and appreciation, as all hard-working people do. The problem isnt with the rank-and-file. Its a problem of leadership: political leadership the kind that is so conspicuously absent among the Republicans who protect violent white groups and leadership of the Bureau itself.

So, who should run the FBI? Few of us are likely to be happy with Trumps nominee. That would be ideal nominee look like? Given the number of violent crimes committed against women in this society, it would be especially helpful to have a woman lead the Bureau for the first time in history. And since people of color are disproportionately targeted by Wall Street criminals, violent criminals, and civil rights offenders, it would also be important to choose a person of color.

Many FBI agents are attorneys, as well as highly-trained law enforcement professionals. It would be helpful to have a leader who is familiar with bank fraud, discriminatory banking and real estate practices, and domestic violence.

Most of all, the ideal FBI director will understand that she serves all the people without fear or favor, unafraid of taking on special interests, and unwilling to repeat past abuses of power.

This is not a new vision for the FBI. It dates back to the goals laid out for it by Theodore Roosevelt in 1908, expanded to include society as we understand it today. This isnt utopian thinking. The institutions of government can help all of us pursuejustice. But first, we need to demand it.

Richard (RJ) Eskow is a blogger and writer, a former Wall Street executive, a consultant, and a former musician.

Read the rest here:
What Progressives Should Demand from the FBI | Alternet - AlterNet

As progressives in Illinois wage what amounts to a two-front war against President Trump and Governor Rauner, they're always on the watch for a two-birds-with-one-stone kind of weapon.

That is, one issue with which they can stymie Trump's assault on, well, everything, while damaging Rauner's chances of winning reelection in the 2018 campaign.

They have a potentially versatile weapon in Senate Bill 982. Having passed the Illinois senate last month, it now heads for the house. And if it passes there, its ultimate destination will be Rauner's desk, where it would at least make him squirm.

The bill would require presidential candidates to release their income tax returns for the previous five years before they could appear on the Illinois presidential ballot. Similar proposals are popping up in state legislatures around the country.

As we all know, Trump's the only major-party presidential candidate since the 1960s not to release any of his tax returns.

He's failed to do this either because he doesn't want people to see who he owes money to, or how rich he is (or isn't), or how little he pays in taxes, or that he doesn't have to. And apparently his loyal supporters don't care.

SB 982 is being pushed by Indivisible Chicago, the local affiliate of a national group created by four former Democratic congressional aides: Ezra Levin, Jeremy Haile, Leah Greenberg, and Angel Padilla.

In the days after last year's presidential election, the national group published the Indivisible Guide, which lays out a plan to retake Congress and bounce Trump from office by creating a left-of-center version of the Tea Party. On the grounds that if you can't beat 'em, you might as well emulate 'em.

"Like us, you probably deeply disagree with the principles and positions of the Tea Party," the guide reads. "But we can all learn from their success in influencing the national debate and the behavior of national policymakers."

(Actually, I'd take it back a step further: Republican intransigence didn't start with the Tea Party. Republicans have been unbending in their opposition to anything the Democrats propose since former congressman Newt Gingrich seized control of the party in the midterm elections of 1994.)

In any event, the Indivisible Guide basically urges progressives to act like Tea Party Republicans. Unite around a "set of shared beliefs," just "say NO to Members of Congress" who don't take progressive stances on crucial social issues, remain "united in opposition" to Trump, and treat weak Democrats "as traitors."

About freaking time, I'd say.

In January, Rachel Maddow featured Indivisible on her nightly TV show. They've been forming affiliates all over the country ever since.

"All of these Indivisible chapters are really a bunch of concerned citizens with day jobs," says Jeff Radue, one of the founders of Indivisible Chicago. "We're putting our energies into action."

In February, the local chapter found a rallying issue in SB 982, which was introduced by state senator Daniel Biss (now a gubernatorial candidate).

The issue worked on two fronts: It rallied Democrats and swing voters who believe that Trump should release his taxes. And it would put Rauner on the defensivebut I'll get to that in a minute.

On April 27, the bill came before the state senate for a vote. During the debate, state Republicans railed against it, arguing that the measure was unconstitutional, an invasion of Trump's (or any presidential candidate's) privacy, and mean, nasty politics.

In rebuttal, state Democrats replied that there are law professors who say such bills are constitutionalso see you in court.

And, they argued, it's hardly an invasion of privacy to require a presidential candidate to do what every mortgage applicant is required to doyou know, show someone your tax returns.

"The invasion of privacy argument is especially ridiculous," says Radue. "This is the president of the United Stateswhat privacy? We know almost everything about the two main candidates. But we don't know their potential conflicts of interest?"

As for being mean and nastyplease. Republicans have been playing mean and nasty since the days of Nixon, when they invented the southern strategy, pitting whites against blacks.

My guess is Trump's operatives probably wouldn't care all that much if he were kept off the ballot in Illinois, a state he'll probably never win. As we saw in the last election, where Hillary Clinton won the popular vote by about three million votes nationally, the popular vote doesn't currently matter in our democracy. Trump could still be reelected even if he's bounced from all the blue states.

However, there are similar income-tax-disclosure bills coming up in red states like Tennessee and Kansas, as well as swing states like Michigan and Ohio. So this could get interesting if Indivisible keeps pushing.

The Illinois state senate ultimately passed the bill on a partisan vote of 32 to 19. Republicans voted against it and the Democrats voted for itexcept for senator Steven Landek, from the south suburbs.

Now it goes to the house, where speaker Michael Madigan will undoubtedly relish another chance to embarrass the governor.

And that brings us to Rauner. This is one of those bills that puts him in a bindsort of like HB 40, the reproductive rights bill he's vowed to veto to appease his antichoice allies.

In this case, Rauner's always tried to position himself as a good-government Republican who cares about transparency.

Well, what could be more transparent than making sure the leader of the free world has no conflicts of interest with the companies he regulates, or with the foreign powers with whom he must negotiate? We can only know these things if we see the tax returns.

At the very least, it would be fun to watch Rauner squirm as he tries to explain why he's vetoing a bill that fosters transparency in politics.

Entertaining us is the least Rauner can do for bringing so much financial chaos to our state.v

Read the original here:
Progressives pressure Rauner to force Trump to release his taxes - Chicago Reader

Its the era of fake fake news, where the mainstream media broadcasts well-entrenched mythology while pointing their collective finger at conservative media outlets for misinformation.

Sigh. Most of you understand just how much treason and scandal has been uncovered by conservative media like WND.com that would never have seen the light of day if left to CNN or the New York Times.

Are you frustrated with people who cling to nonsense? Wouldnt it be great if they would thoughtfully consider conservative viewpoints? Perhaps a list would help.

Although condensed, here are the major points I would make:

10. Conservatives are not racists or sexists, and we dont hate anyone. What we hate are inhumane, destructive policies wreaking heartbreaking consequences. No person is wedded to these, and many people have gotten a conscience and changed their politics. Ex-liberals like me know this all too well. So please be authentically tolerant and respectful. Read views from (for instance) black conservatives like Star Parker, and drop the pejorative racist label.

9. Immigration is not the problem. America is a nation of immigrants. Conservatives are not afraid of immigrants, and their opinion is not a racist reaction. We oppose lawlessness and illegal immigration. I lock my doors at night, and most of you do also, because not all people are trustworthy. For the security of our children and families, we deserve to know who comes to America, their names, backgrounds and values. And we deserve their pledge to honor our Constitution, learn English, follow our laws and respect our history. Every other country regulates immigration. Why not America? Its an issue of national security, and its the law.

8. Conservatives love clean water and air but hate the highly-questionable climate change agenda. Its shaky pseudo-science just happens to coincide with a trajectory toward global Marxism, also a cherished progressive goal, ideally monitored/managed by the U.N. Should first-world countries, already propping up many third-world economies, go along with what would be a devastating result millions of jobs lost based on computer models? Do we need fines, taxes and regulations to cripple the worlds producers? Why would we trust the foolishness of bribe-worthy U.N. bureaucrats? These are the same ditzy people who think Israel is the problem in the Middle East. No, check the facts and history. Its a huge scam that has little to do with protecting the environment.

7. The political tyranny that calls itself a religion Islam would completely transform America if possible, bringing the chaos we see in Europe. Conservatives are not fearful of people who are different from us. We are wary of people who have anti-freedom goals and barbaric, seventh-century customs. Homicide bombers? Female genital mutilation? Severe Christian and Jewish persecution? Women forced to wear hijabs and burkas? Male domination? Read our conservative lips: No American will thrive under values like these. These self-isolated people often endanger other Muslims, not just those they consider infidels. We must resist any policies incorporating Shariah law and try to educate Muslims who will listen.

6. There are no different human types called lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgendered or queer. There is no gay gene. There are no people born in the wrong sex body. These are learned preferences, and as such, they are up for debate. In a fair debate, they lose, because the outcomes are so personally destructive, socially negative and spiritually compromising. Same-sex desires are changeable, and the numerous former homosexual/ transgendered identifiers deserve to be heard. Children should not be taught these are valid behaviors. This conduct is not a civil right, and its child abuse to enable children to go down these roads.

5. America is fed up with racial identity politics, and conservatives are as well. Not because of racial prejudice, but because honorable law enforcement officers are being sacrificed literally as leftist revolutionary groups exploit a few local situations featuring sketchy characters who love media attention. So they scream over police shootings of black people, regardless of circumstances. Others shot by officers who dont fit the useful profile do not concern these social justice monitors. Its all about money, power and mostly unjustified resentment. Justice has little to do with it.

4. Free speech, freedom of religion and freedom of conscience mean exactly that. The University of Chicago model needs to be implemented on all campuses. The Clemson student government considering mandatory LGBTQ ally training needs to learn tolerance and respect for other viewpoints. And oppressive educators who try to silence students? They need to be dismissed right along with Dr. Zach Ruff who is no longer at STEM Academy in Downingtown, PA.

3. Why is abortion so fundamental to progressives? We conservatives respect scientific advancement, not fables and wishful thinking. Research clearly shows life begins at conception. Your inconvenient pregnancy is a human being who will be your daughter or son. Why is your heart so hard? Why not simply plan ahead carefully and avoid that brief sexual encounter? Hold back out of respect for life and human rights. Your mom did not abort you. Cant you pay the favor forward?

2. Conservative news media are a mixed bag, yet there are many fine reporters and much critical information to be learned not shared by the mainstream. I encourage any progressive to spend a month listening to Rush Limbaugh, reading WND.com and other online news sources, and see if you dont come away with a new perspective, one that is not racist, sexist, or anti-Semitic.

1. Christians are being smeared and mischaracterized for the most part in our nations popular conversation. It is true none of us is perfect. Only our Savior is. And we hold Him up to all of you. He can change your desires, carry your burdens, heal your relationships. He is not our divine therapist, however, but our Father, Creator and Redeemer. Jesus stands at the door of your heart and knocks. Couldnt you open the door just a small crack?

Media wishing to interview Linda Harvey, please contact media@wnd.com.

Read the original here:
Top 10 biases progressives should overcome - WND.com

May 16, 2017, 7:33 a.m.

Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti warned a ballroom full of progressive leaders Tuesday not to get bogged down in making sure that you win the argument instead of moving progress forward.

Garcetti told his listeners he knew they were upset by "the political moment that we are in. Butevery day we spend playing defense is a day were not making progress. If we define ourselves solely by our opposition to this administration, we will sell ourselves short and more important, we will sell the American people short."

Garcetti spoke Tuesday at the Center for American Progress' Ideas Conference in Washington at a time whenmany Democrats are trying to determine what's next for their party after unexpected electoral losses in November. The conference is seen by many as an early cattle call of potential 2020 presidential candidates. Garcetti, who was just reelected to a second term, and others who've been floated as possible candidates are participating in the daylong event including Sens. Kamala Harris (D-Calif.), Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.), Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) and Cory Booker (D-N.J.).

Several other Californians are speaking at the conference, including House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi (D-San Francisco);Rep. Adam Schiff (D-Burbank), who isthe ranking Democrat on the House Select Intelligence Committee;and climate change activist and billionaire Tom Steyer.

Los Angeles has pushed back against multipleTrump administrationpolicies in part by setting aside funding for legal services for immigrants in the country illegally and pledging to adopt the Paris climateaccord if the administration decides to pull the United States out of the agreement, both of which could help Garcetti gain statewide or national attention. Throughout his speech, Garcetti, the only mayor invited to speak at the conference, argued that cities will continue to move forward on ideas such as free community college and expanding infrastructure even if Washington remains stuck.

The future is here, and the American people are waiting for somebody to step up, to lead us with the confidence and courage we need. Sodont cede the power you have before you exercise it. Dont ...fall into the trap of being paralyzed with fear and with anger. Dont fight pessimism with more pessimism, Garcetti said.

Read more here:
LA Mayor Eric Garcetti to progressives: Don't make winning the argument more important than progress - Los Angeles Times

Dear Editor: Instead of resisting a convention of states to propose a balanced budget amendment to the U.S. Constitution, progressives should welcome this historic and nationally televised debate to talk about the $11.5 trillion of federal spending since 1998 that can't be accounted for.

The purpose of the Chief Financial Officers Act of 1990, the Government Management Reform Act of 1994, the Federal Financial Management Improvement Act of 1996, and the Accountability of Tax Dollars Act of 2002 was to ensure transparency and prevent a "black budget" from funding a shadow government. Most federal agencies comply with the law except for the Department of Defense, which can't properly account for over $5 trillion.

This is "fun money" that can be used for any purpose that unelected, unaccountable and unidentified agents want. Did any of this missing money pay for covert wars or other secret operations? It would be interesting to finally find out.

Congresswoman Marcy Kaptur, D-Ohio, has a very simple proposition: "Run the money according to the law." As a provision of the Balanced Budget Amendment, let's insist that if a federal agency can't comply with transparency laws, it simply doesn't get funding.

$11.5 trillion amounts to over half of the current federal debt. Looking for money to forgive student debt or fund health care for all? This might make a dent. As an added bonus we could discover that we really don't need to spend as much on war creation as we've been led to believe.

Michael Spevacek

Madison

Send your letter to the editor to tctvoice@madison.com. Include your full name, hometown and phone number. Your name and town will be published. The phone number is for verification purposes only. Please keep your letter to 250 words or less.

Go here to read the rest:
Michael Spevacek: Progressives should welcome Constitutional Convention - Madison.com