Campaign ‘donations’ are bribes and the ‘Free’ World ain’t so free: Fixing the Language of Journalism to Reflect Reality

By Dave Lindorff

We need to eliminate a bunch of euphemisms from our political vocabulary, if we’re going to have serious debates about the future of the country. 

A new president, an ousted fascist predecessor, and an obstructionist opposition party that wants nothing to change despite losing a national election is a great time to take on this task. 

So let’s go to it. 

1.  Change Department of Defense to Department of War

The US has not played “defense” read more

Only Rogue States Have Nuclear Weapons

By David Swanson, Executive Director of World BEYOND War, and Elizabeth Murray, of Ground Zero Center for Nonviolent Action, published by Kitsap Sun, January 24, 2021

From January 18 to February 14, four large billboards are going up around Seattle that proclaim “Nuclear Weapons Are Now Illegal. Get them out of Puget Sound!”

What can this possibly mean? Nuclear weapons may be unpleasant, but what is illegal about them, and how can they be in Puget Sound?

Since 1970, under the Nuclear read more

Pope’s Words in Open Letter to Joe Biden

By David Swanson, World BEYOND War, January 22, 2021

Dear President Joe Biden,

Congratulations and best wishes!

The Pope of your church in October 2020 wrote these words:

“We can no longer think of war as a solution, because its risks will probably always be greater than its supposed benefits. In view of this, it is very difficult nowadays to invoke the rational criteria elaborated in earlier centuries to speak of the possibility of a ‘just war’. Never again war!”242

At footnote 242, Pope Francis read more

Talk Nation Radio: Pat Rosenstiel on National Popular Vote

This week on Talk Nation Radio, the National Popular Vote and the Electoral College. Our guest is Pat Rosenstiel with NationalPopularVote.com, which advocates for “The National Popular Vote Interstate Compact.

Total run time: 29:00
Host: David Swanson.
Producer: David Swanson.
Music by Duke Ellington.

Download from LetsTryDemocracy.

Download from Internet Archive.

Pacifica stations can also download from Audioport.

Syndicated by Pacifica Network.

Please encourage your local read more

Don’t share secrets with Trump, share them with the people: Enough with the Goddamned Secrets! Open Up the Government Joe!

By Dave Lindorff

The incoming Biden administration is considering breaking with a long-standing tradition of new presidents sharing national secrets with prior presidents.  Instead, in the case of his future predecessor Trump, Biden says he wants to hear the advice of key national security figures in the new government regarding whether or not to brief the impeached ex-chief executive once he’s out the White House door.

That is not the question Biden should read more