Author Archives: Eoin Higgins

Stirring fears of pre-crime policing, DHS head Chad Wolf confirms federal agents in Portland making ‘proactive’ arrests

‘Welcome to 2020: Minority Report Edition.’

Critics unloaded on acting Secretary of Homeland Security Chad Wolf after the agency head revealed in an interview on Fox News Tuesday evening that federal law enforcement officers in Portland, Oregon are “proactively” arresting demonstrators in the city. Continue reading

‘Inappropriate, unjust, and unreasonable’: 300+ groups slam Duckworth water privatization bill

‘This bill is an egregious handout to giant water corporations which would embolden them to manipulate and fleece struggling communities—particularly communities of color.’

Over 300 groups on Monday urged Senate leadership to reject a bill currently under consideration that would incentivize communities to sell off their public water supplies to private companies for pennies on the dollar. Continue reading

Supreme Court election year vacancy ‘would be different’ this time from Merrick Garland in 2016, says Lindsey Graham

‘These people don't even have an ounce of shame.’

Chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee Sen. Lindsey Graham said in an interview airing Sunday that the public should not expect a vacancy on the Supreme Court to remain open this election year, despite what happened last time. Continue reading

‘Simply unacceptable’: Progressives condemn apparent mercenary coup attempt on Venezuela in midst of pandemic

‘The U.S. is looking for excuses to invade Venezuela, and that is why it uses mercenaries.’

Critics decried a failed attempt Sunday by a group of mercenaries, including two Americans, to invade Venezuela as an “unacceptable” act of aggression by the U.S. and Colombia in the midst of the coronavirus pandemic. Continue reading

‘Oh hell no’: DOJ using coronavirus crisis to push for expansive emergency powers

‘This is abhorrent (also: predictable).’

The Department of Justice is using the coronavirus outbreak to ask Congress for sweeping emergency powers including suspending habeas corpus during an emergency, a power grab that was denounced by civil liberties advocates. Continue reading

In wake of Trump-Netanyahu proposal, Palestinian Authority cuts ties with US

The move came days after the White House announced the deal, which allows Israel the right to continue settlements and annexation while leaving Palestinians with vague promises of statehood at an undetermined future date.

The Palestinian Authority, which governs the occupied West Bank, announced on Saturday that it would act immediately to cut ties with the U.S. after President Donald Trump unveiled a so-called peace plan that effectively allows Israel carte blanche to continue the occupation and theft of Palestinian land. Continue reading

Analysis of 30 years of single-payer research shows Medicare for All would absolutely save us money

‘Across the political spectrum, there is near consensus among these economists that a single-payer system would save money.’

A comprehensive new study that reviewed nearly three decades of existing analyses shows implementation of a single-payer healthcare system like Medicare for All could dramatically reduce costs in the United States, with savings likely experienced in the first year and definitely over the longer term. Continue reading

Feelings hurt by ‘two-faced’ Trudeau and laughing NATO leaders, Trump leaves summit early in a huff

‘There is nothing he hates more than important people laughing at him.’

Hours after video surfaced of world leaders appearing to mock him at a cocktail function the night before, President Donald Trump on Wednesday cut short his visit to the 2019 NATO Summit in London with a parting shot at Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, one of the people caught on tape ridiculing the U.S. leader. Continue reading

‘An unjust society is far costlier’: AOC says beware the deficit scolds who only complain about paying for stuff when it benefits people

‘I see decisions made every day that cost the American public billions of dollars a year for bogus reasons’

Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez on Wednesday asked voters to question why U.S. politicians and pundits only consider the cost of government programs when those programs help the public and least fortunate—and ignore price tags on policies that benefit the most wealthy and powerful. Continue reading

After Education Secretary Betsy DeVos flouts 2018 ruling, judge reminds her of consequences—including jail time

‘I'm not sending anyone to jail yet, but it's good to know I have that ability.’

Education Secretary Betsy DeVos on Monday was told in no uncertain terms that her refusal to abide by a 2018 order stopping her department from collecting on student loans made to predatory for-profit Corinthian College had the potential to land her in jail, though Magistrate Judge Sallie Kim made clear that was, for now, an unlikely outcome. Continue reading

‘Unacceptable’: Family farms, ag advocates hit back after Sec Perdue Says small dairy farms destined to die

‘Five years of plunging farm prices, increasing bankruptcies, and climbing suicide rates were not discussed by Perdue. His message to them was basically, stop whining, your demise is inevitable.’

Furious family farmers flamed Department of Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue Wednesday after comments he made on the future of the dairy business that cast doubt on the future of small farms during a stop in Wisconsin Tuesday. Continue reading

‘Unfortunate but not surprising’: Sanders responds to report Biden-linked firm poll testing attacks on Medicare for All

A senior advisor to the Sanders campaign said it was ‘disgusting’ that the former vice president's campaign would be "echoing bogus GOP talking points."

Sen. Bernie Sanders hit back Monday after news broke that the centrist group Third Way is focus-testing attacks on Medicare for All to see what will stick, using a firm with close ties to former Vice President Joe Biden’s 2020 Democratic presidential campaign. Continue reading

In ‘disgusting’ move, Jeff Bezos abruptly cuts health benefits for nearly 2,000 part-time Whole Foods workers

‘I am in shock. I've worked here 15 years. This is why I keep the job—because of my benefits.’

Amazon founder Jeff Bezos on Thursday cut benefits for part-time workers at his grocery chain Whole Foods, drawing criticism from the left for a move that could leave thousands of people without health insurance. Continue reading

‘Lawless’ and ‘despicable’: Harvard freshman deported after immigration agents search social media and find friends critical of US policy

‘This is a move so perverse, so grotesque as to defy explanation.’

A Palestinian student set to attend his freshman year at Harvard was reportedly denied entry to the U.S. based on his friends’ social media posts, setting off a firestorm of criticism from progressives, though not the so-called “free speech warriors” of the right. Continue reading

After life of incalculable harm, billionaire climate denialist and right-wing villain David Koch dead at 79

‘Death is an escape hatch for David Koch while the rest of us are left scrambling for the emergency brake before we go over the cliff.’

Billionaire industrialist David Koch, who spent vast sums of his billions in personal fortune promoting climate denialism and other right wing causes over the last four decades, died Friday at 79. Continue reading

Accusing Adam Schiff of ‘criminalizing routine reporting,’ groups call for stripping CIA-backed provision from intelligence legislation

‘Schiff is clearly the resistance to the resistance, and he should drop this provision from his bill.’

A CIA-backed provision for a bill that could have dire effects on the freedom of the press is quietly making its way through Congress, despite the protestations of civil rights groups to Rep. Adam Schiff, the powerful California Democrat who chairs the House Intelligence Committee, to strip the rule. Continue reading

‘This is big’: 76 retired US generals and diplomats warn Trump against war with Iran

‘We have witnessed first-hand how quickly disputes can spiral out of control.’

President Donald Trump often says he listens to military generals more than anyone else, and, as the White House prepares to send 1,500 soldiers to the Middle East, that claim is being tested by a Friday letter from the American College of National Security Leaders. Continue reading

Texas state bill would make protesting pipelines a felony on par with attempted murder

‘This needs to be a nationwide story.’

A bill making its way through the Texas legislature would make protesting pipelines a third-degree felony, the same as attempted murder. Continue reading