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Sam Knight - page 65

Sam Knight has 859 articles published.

Satisfaction with Republicans, Dems Falls to Post-Cold War Low

The Republican and Democratic parties collectively reached a new low in recent weeks, as Gallup reported that a record number of Americans are dissatisfied with both factions. For the first time, neither the GOP nor the Dems cracked the 40 percent favorability rating in a poll that has been conducted since 1992, with Americans earlier this month largely expressing disgust with both major parties in record numbers. “Except for a brief spike to 51% for the Democrats after Obama was re-elected in 2012, both parties’ ratings… Keep Reading

Former White House Economists Urge Congress to Pass Key T.P.P. Bill, Fail to Disclose Corporate Ties

Former White House economists who last week wrote to Congress, urging it to pass “fast track” trade approval did not disclose their ties to companies that stand to benefit from increased global economic integration. Six former chairs of the President’s Council of Economic Advisers failed to note their personal interests–in multinational corporations, financial institutions, and consultancies–in their message to lawmakers, The Huffington Post reported on Friday afternoon. Two of them had previously been criticized for failing to disclose conflicts of interest in a high-profile documentary.… Keep Reading

With California Ebola Strike Out of Data, Discontent Index in December Continues It’s Downward Trend

The District Sentinel Discontent Index dropped on a monthly basis by almost four points in December, as the end of a major strike caused by the Ebola virus and workplace safety cleared up a spike in labor market grumbles. The index fell at the end of 2014 to 107.02, from a slightly revised 110.84 in November—a decrease of 3.82 points. The measure also fell on a yearly basis by 10.66 points, down from 117.68 in December 2014. All three components declined, but Labor Discontent fell most… Keep Reading

Chemical Regulation Bill With Broad Support in Senate “Represents A Giant Step Back,” Green Group Warns

A bill that looks likely to pass the Senate would drastically reduce the ability of states to regulate toxic chemicals, according to a leading environmental law firm. Legislation proposed Tuesday by Sens. Tom Udall (D-N.M.) and David Vitter (R-La.), with the backing of 16 bipartisan cosponsors, “represents a giant step back,” Earthjustice stated in a letter. Andrea Delgado, a legislative representative for the group, said Thursday that the measure has been put forward, in a roundabout way, due to the weakness of the Toxic Substances… Keep Reading

Atrocities Revealed By ABC News Just Latest Chapter in Decade Of U.S.-Backed Iraqi “War Crimes”

Reams of evidence of Iraqi security forces committing human rights abuses in the war against the Islamic State (ISIL) has led a key lawmaker to call on Washington to hold back some of its financial assistance to Baghdad. Sen. Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.) said on Wednesday that the documentation–photographs and pictures that almost certainly show massacres of civilians, and executions and torture of prisoners carried out by Iraqi troops—demonstrates Iraqi “war crimes.” “I would say that involves the Leahy Law,” he told ABC News, referring to… Keep Reading

Free Speech or Litigation Risk? Kochs Resist Senate Dems’ Climate Research Funding Probe

The company owned by billionaire conservative activist brothers Charles and David Koch has rejected Senate Democrats’ request for information about climate change research funding—an inquiry the legislators sent to fossil fuel industry players in the wake of a cash-for-analysis scandal. A response to the letter from a Koch Industries Inc. lawyer struck a defiant tone, describing the request as an infringement on free speech. “To the extent that your letter touches on matters that implicate the First Amendment, I am sure you recognize Koch’s right… Keep Reading

In Lengthy Speech Blasting New York Times for Criticism, Key Senator Outlines Vision of Criminal Justice Reform

The trajectory of any possible reform to the criminal justice system became more clear on Tuesday afternoon, after the chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee spoke about the issue on the floor of the Senate. The influential Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) railed against a prior proposal on mandatory minimums with bipartisan support and a Feb. 17 New York Times editorial that lambasted his opposition to the bill, before noting his support for asset forfeiture reform, initiatives to improve public defenders’ offices, and more accurate criminal background… Keep Reading

Corker Says Obama “Playing Footsie With Russia,” as Sens Call on President to Help Ukraine Up Russian Body Count

The number of Russian military casualties in Eastern Ukraine took center stage on Tuesday at a Congressional hearing, as a high-ranking State Department official revealed US intelligence on the matter and a bipartisan coalition of Senators called on the administration to help Kiev increase Moscow’s body count—a move that some Russian dissidents have said could backfire in the country’s court of public opinion. About four or five hundred Russian soldiers have been killed in action in Ukraine according to American intelligence, Assistant Secretary of State Victoria… Keep Reading

Dems’ Lack of Ethics Rule Fuels Speculation about Menendez Musical Chairs

Confusion reigns over whether Robert Menendez (D-N.J.) will step down from his role as top Democrat on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, should he be indicted on federal corruption charges. The move could, potentially, alleviate the White House of heartache as it reaches a critical juncture in negotiations with Iran. But chances are, it would merely lead to a game of musical chairs, with the winner essentially no different from Menendez. It is unclear what will happen in the event of a perp walk, with… Keep Reading

In Aftermath of Decision to Let Darren Wilson Walk, CBC Member Sees Silver Lining

Despite the Justice Department’s decision to not indict former police officer Darren Wilson on civil rights charges related to his August fatal shooting of an unarmed black teenager, one member of the Congressional Black Caucus said she sees cause for optimism. Rep. Barbara Lee (D-Calif.) remarked late last week that she is “extremely disappointed that Michael Brown’s killer will not face criminal charges,” but noted that an investigation into Wilson’s former employers “represents a clear path forward.” “The report shows that the Ferguson Police Department… Keep Reading

Corruption Probe Shows Snowden Critic Senator Takes Privacy Rights Seriously When They’re His Own

In addition to revealing on Friday impending federal criminal corruption charges against Sen. Robert Menendez (D-N.J.), a CNN report also revealed that the lawmaker applies a double standard to himself on privacy matters. While the leading Democrat on the Foreign Relations Committee dismissed concerns about civil liberties and due process after former NSA contractor Edward Snowden revealed that the agency conducts deep-penetrating warrantless surveillance programs at home and abroad, Menendez has, in his own case, attempted to avail himself of a privacy protection available only… Keep Reading

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