{"id":19803,"date":"2017-10-02T12:41:39","date_gmt":"2017-10-02T20:41:39","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.richgibson.com\/blog\/?p=19803"},"modified":"2017-10-11T13:23:54","modified_gmt":"2017-10-11T21:23:54","slug":"rouge-forum-dispatch-draft-27","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.richgibson.com\/blog\/rouge-forum-dispatch-draft-27\/","title":{"rendered":"Rouge Forum Dispatch: The Very Real History of Fake News, Anti-Union Unions, Counterfeit Conferences, and more!"},"content":{"rendered":"

We Say Fight Back!<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

100 Years ago–the Bolshevik Revolution:<\/strong><\/p>\n

Congratulations on the re-publication of:<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>Congratulations on the publication of<\/p>\n

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Fresno Unified teachers overwhelmingly authorize a strike against their district<\/h3>\n

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At least 2,000 teachers with the Fresno Unified School District voted overwhelmingly Tuesday evening to authorize their union to call a strike if protracted contract negotiations don\u2019t yield an agreement that meets their satisfaction.<\/p>\n

Fresno Teachers Association members packed the Peoples Church in northeast Fresno for the strike vote, filling the church auditorium\u2019s first level and balcony to overflowing. When FTA President Tish Rice ultimately called for the vote, the vast majority of the gathering stood and shouted their \u201cyes\u201d votes for the strike authorization, compared to a few dozen who stood to vote no.<\/p>\n

\u201cI don\u2019t want to strike, but I will if I need to,\u201d said Jon Bath, a history teacher at Sunnyside High School and head of FTA\u2019s negotiating team, moments before the vote. This is the first time that the district\u2019s teachers have voted to strike since 1978.\u00a0 www.fresnobee.com\/news\/local\/education\/article176894156.html<\/a><\/p>\n

The Little Red Schoolhouse<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>Rat Trap for missionaries for capitalism and empire–setting up the eager rubes for claptrap, hokum, fantasies about “learning,” and opportunistic bombast (well beneath the Second International)<\/strong><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>Let’s teach our way out of fascism…..when does the <\/strong><\/em>glosolalia<\/strong> begin? How about a rouser for INTERSECTIONALITY!?
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teachers4socialjustice.files.wordpress.com\/2017\/09\/t4sj-2017-conference-program-9-29-20171.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n

The Question So Rarely Asked: the initial question: Why have school?<\/strong><\/em><\/span><\/p>\n

Now, vacation is over. Let us get to the heart of the matter.<\/strong><\/p>\n

In the Trump era, when so many equate one man with a social system nearly a decade in place, fascism, it\u2019s reasonable to step back a moment in order to put school in its proper, social, perspective.<\/strong><\/p>\n

Schools are the centripetal organizing point of de-industrialized North American life, and much of life elsewhere.<\/strong><\/p>\n

Evidence: School workers, not industrialized workers, are by far the most unionized people in the USA, nearly four million union members…. more at\u00a0 <\/strong>www.richgibson.com\/blog\/school-is-back\/<\/a><\/p>\n

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This is Rutgers’ No. 1 problem says the new chancellor<\/h1>\n

Debasish Dutta thinks his answer might surprise you.<\/p>\n

When asked what the No. 1 problem facing Rutgers University is, Dutta the new chancellor at the New Brunswick campus, doesn’t hesitate to respond.<\/p>\n

“The No. 1 problem,” Dutta says from his office overlooking the Old Queens’ lawn, “is how does Rutgers reflect itself accurately in all the national rankings?”<\/p>\n

Dutta,\u00a0a veteran Big Ten college administrator<\/a>, began his Rutgers tenure on July 1. He’s making a $480,000 base salary to\u00a0oversee the university’s flagship campus with more than 50,000 students and 4,000 faculty, instantly becoming one of Rutgers most powerful administrators.\u00a0 www.nj.com\/education\/2017\/10\/what_the_ru_screw_and_college_rankings_mean_to_rut.html<\/a><\/p>\n

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Ivanka Trump lectures Detroiters, promotes STEM learning<\/h1>\n

\"\"<\/a>Detroit has a teacher shortage of 250. Ivanka went to Choate (which she called “a prison”).\u00a0 Choate Rosemary Hall is a private, college-preparatory, coeducational, boarding school …… The 2014-2015 tuition and fees are $54,840 for boarders and $42,840 for day students. <\/strong>www.detroitnews.com\/videos\/news\/education\/2017\/09\/26\/ivanka-trump-visits-detroit-promotes-stem-learning\/106024878\/<\/a><\/p>\n

The International Hot War of the Rich on the Poor<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

October 7, 2001<\/a> \u2013 The Global War on Terrorism<\/a> begins as a result of the September 11 attacks<\/a>. The U.S. invasion of Afghanistan<\/a> initiates with an air assault and covert operations on the ground.<\/strong><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>Above, the last British soldier, Afghan War, “Kabul retreat” of 1842. Who will be last to die?<\/p>\n

Timeline: US intervention in Afghanistan 2001 to 2017<\/h1>\n
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Key developments of a 16-year conflict, from the 2001 US invasion after 9\/11 to Trump’s latest strategy reveal.<\/h2>\n<\/div>\n

2001: ‘War on terror’<\/h2>\n

On October 7, 2001, less than a month after the September 11 attacks, US President George W Bush launches operation “Enduring Freedom” in Afghanistan, after the Taliban<\/a> refuses to hand over al-Qaeda<\/a> leader Osama bin Laden.<\/p>\n

In a matter of weeks, the US-led forces overthrow the Taliban, in power since 1996.<\/p>\n

Apart from air raids, the US backs the Afghan Northern Alliance, which is fighting the Taliban, contributing paramilitary teams from the CIA<\/a> and special forces.<\/p>\n

Some 1,000 American soldiers are deployed on the ground in November, rising to 10,000 the year after….<\/p>\n

2009: Number of soldiers peaks under Obama<\/h2>\n

In 2009, in the first months of the presidency of Barack Obama<\/a> – elected on campaign promises to end the two wars in Iraq and Afghanistan – there is a surge in the number of American soldiers in Afghanistan to around 68,000.<\/p>\n

In December, Obama raises the strength of US forces in Afghanistan to around 100,000. The objective, the US says, is to put brakes on the Taliban and to strengthen Afghan institutions.<\/p>\n

2011: Bin Laden killed in Pakistan<\/h2>\n

Al-Qaeda leader Bin Laden<\/a>, alleged mastermind of the 9\/11 attacks that started the war, is killed on May 2, 2011 during an operation by US special forces in Pakistan<\/a>, where he is in hiding….<\/p>\n

See this for the other bin Laden story<\/p>\n

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Feb – August, 2017: New strategy<\/h2>\n

On February 1, 2017, a US government report says that losses of Afghan security forces have climbed by 35 percent in 2016 compared with the previous year.<\/p>\n

On February 9, the US general in command of the NATO force, General John Nicholson, warns that he needs thousands more troops, telling Congress: “I believe we’re in a stalemate.”<\/p>\n

On August 21<\/a>, Trump cleared the way for the deployment of thousands more US troops to Afghanistan in his first formal address to the nation as commander-in-chief.<\/p>\n

Following the president’s speech, US Defense Secretary James Mattis announced that America and several allies have committed to boosting their troop numbers in Afghanistan.<\/p>\n

Senior White House officials say Trump has already authorised Mattis to deploy up to 3,900 more troops to Afghanistan.\u00a0 www.aljazeera.com\/news\/2017\/08\/2001-2017-intervention-afghanistan-170822035036797.html<\/a><\/p>\n

US Army Europe commander says Russia war games broke observer rules<\/h1>\n
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www.youtube.com\/watch?v=oChDzyoVeHk<\/a><\/p>\n

The U.S. Army\u2019s commander in Europe says Russia broke up its Zapad war games with Belarus into parts to avoid having international monitors watch the weeklong exercises last month.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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Lt. Gen. Ben Hodges said Monday that the two countries deployed \u201cway over 12,700\u201d personnel, the limit beyond which Europe\u2019s OSCE security organization should be allowed to send observers.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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Hodges said: \u201cMy guess is that there probably were over 40,000 service members.\u201d\u00a0 www.armytimes.com\/news\/your-army\/2017\/10\/02\/us-army-europe-commander-says-russia-war-games-broke-observer-rules\/<\/a><\/p>\n

Large Taliban convoy moves through Afghanistan unopposed<\/h1>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
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The Taliban recently uploaded a new propaganda video which features a long Taliban convoy moving freely during the daytime unopposed.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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The video titled \u201cJihadic Process in Nimrooz and Rehabilitation\u201d was published online at the end of September.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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The video features a large gathering of Taliban militants and vehicles brandishing large white Taliban flags in the open at daytime. As the vehicles drive away in a column, multiple U.S. up-armored Humvees can be seen.\u00a0 Video inside\u00a0 www.militarytimes.com\/flashpoints\/2017\/10\/05\/large-taliban-convoy-moves-through-afghanistan-unopposed\/<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

The International Economic War of the Rich on the Poor<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

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City-sanctioned homeless camp to open Monday<\/h1>\n

San Diego has has had a large unsheltered homeless population for years, with this year\u2019s count finding 3,231 people on the street or other places. Of those, 1,276 were downtown.<\/p>\n

Countywide, there were 9,116 homeless, both sheltered and unsheltered.<\/p>\n

Besides the high numbers, the homeless situation also has been considered a crisis in recent months as a deadly hepatitis A outbreak spread, county Supervisor Ron Roberts noted.<\/p>\n

\u201cAs of yesterday, we identified another 20 cases, which brings us to 481 total cases in San Diego,\u201d he said, adding that there have 337 hospitalizations, up 22 from last week, and 17 deaths….The Alpha Project has bought 200 four-person tents<\/strong> <\/em>for about $50 each, and stripes will be painted on the parking lot to identify 13-foot by 13-foot spaces that will each have a tent and trash receptacle.\u00a0 www.sandiegouniontribune.com\/news\/hepatitis-crisis\/sd-me-homeless-camp-20171002-story.html<\/a><\/p>\n

White families have nearly 10 times the net worth of black families. And the gap is growing.<\/h1>\n

Despite gains in income and wealth, the economic chasm between black and Hispanic families and their white counterparts widened between 2013 and 2016 \u2014 even when it comes to Americans with comparable levels of education,\u00a0according to data<\/a> released Wednesday by the Federal Reserve.<\/p>\n

The median net worth of whites remains nearly 10 times the size of blacks’.\u00a0Nearly\u00a01 in 5 black families have zero or negative net worth \u2014 twice the rate of white families.\u00a0 www.washingtonpost.com\/news\/wonk\/wp\/2017\/09\/28\/black-and-hispanic-families-are-making-more-money-but-they-still-lag-far-behind-whites\/?utm_term=.ee4ebeee9e5f<\/a><\/p>\n

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A study by the Economic Policy Institute predicts Black household wealth will plunge to zero by the year 2053.<\/strong><\/em> \u201cWhat this study really points to is the fact that U.S. capitalism is on a path to destruction, and cannot stop,\u201d said Black Agenda Report contributor Danny Haiphong<\/strong>, author of a recent article titled \u201cBlack America: The Wealth-less Community.\u201d \u201cA lot of the conversation about racism has very little to do with the material circumstances of Black people,\u201d said Haiphong.\u00a0 blackagendareport.com\/black-america-track-zero-wealth-2053<\/a><\/p>\n

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Nestl\u00e9 Pays $200 a Year to Bottle Water Near Flint\u2014Where Water Is Undrinkable<\/h1>\n<\/div>\n
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While Flint battles a water crisis, just two hours away the beverage giant pumps almost 100,000 times what an average Michigan resident uses into plastic bottles.<\/em><\/div>\n
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Despite having endured lead-laden tap water for years, Flint pays some of the highest water rates in the US. Several residents cited bills upwards of $200 per month for tap water they refuse to touch.<\/p>\n

But just two hours away, in the tiny town of Evart, creeks lined by wildflowers run with clear water. The town is so small, the fairground, McDonald\u2019s, high school and church are all within a block. But in a town of only 1,503 people, there are a dozen wells pumping water from the underground aquifer. This is where the beverage giant Nestl\u00e9 pumps almost 100,000 times what an\u00a0average Michigan resident<\/a>\u00a0uses into plastic bottles that are sold all over the midwest for around $1.<\/p>\n

To use this natural resource,\u00a0Nestl\u00e9<\/a>\u00a0pays $200 per year.\u00a0 www.alternet.org\/water\/nestle-pays-200-year-bottle-water-near-flint-where-water-undrinkable<\/a><\/p>\n

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1.5 Million workers vanish into despair….<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

In August, 78.4 percent of Americans in their prime working years \u2014 typically defined as ages 25 to 54 \u2014 had jobs, down 1.3 percentage points from when the recession began. That small-sounding change masks a vast human toll: the disappearance of more than 1.5 million workers from the economy. Research has found that many fell into drug addiction<\/a> and poverty.<\/p>\n

Recent evidence suggests that the recession\u2019s impact is still echoing through the work force. In a newly published working paper<\/a>, Danny Yagan, an economist at the University of California, Berkeley, used anonymous tax records to trace more than a million individual workers through the recession and its aftermath. He found that in the places that had been hit the hardest, the effects have lingered \u2014 thousands of workers who lost their jobs struggled to find work and ultimately stopped looking. Many, according to Mr. Yagan\u2019s data, still haven\u2019t found it.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe signals say the recession is over, but employment\u2019s not back to normal,\u201d Mr. Yagan said. \u201cRecession effects aren\u2019t supposed to last this long.\u201d (NY Times 10\/5\/17)<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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Obama cashes in<\/h1>\n
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Mr. Obama has given at least 10 paid speeches since leaving office,<\/a> charging as much as $400,000<\/strong> per appearance.<\/strong> He has addressed audiences in Montreal, Italy and Indonesia in recent months. A spokesman declined to say how much he was paid for this speech.<\/p>\n

His 23-minute keynote address in S\u00e3o Paulo, Brazil\u2019s financial capital, was titled \u201cChange the World? Yes, You Can,\u201d echoing his 2008 campaign slogan, \u201cYes, we can.\u201d\u00a0 www.nytimes.com\/2017\/10\/05\/world\/americas\/obama-speech-brazil.html<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

The Emergence of Fascism as a Popular Mass Movement<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

The latest episodes on the too real reality serial that is Trump-world<\/strong><\/p>\n

www.youtube.com\/watch?v=DIU5j7DWoLY<\/a><\/p>\n

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