War on Drugs Has Failed
The Global Commission on Drug Policy has declared that the global war on drugs has failed, and powerful countries like the United States should end the “criminalization, marginalization and stigmatization of people who use drugs but who do no harm to others.” The commission, which features international leaders like former Unites States Secretary of State George Shultz and former Mexican President Ernesto Zedillo, issued a report today claiming that the global war on drugs has had a “devastating” effect on individuals and societies and around the world and recommends widespread drug policy reform and drug legalization, especially for marijuana. The report also recommends that governments focus less on the arrest and incarceration of farmers and low-level drug dealers as the imprisonment of tens of millions of people in recent decades has torn apart families and failed to reduce the availability of illegal drugs.
British Fracking Rigs May Have Caused Earthquakes
A British mining company voluntarily suspended a hydraulic fracturing, aka “fracking,” operation after scientists said the drilling operation might have triggered two earthquakes, according to CBS. Fracking involves the injection of millions of gallons of water and liquid chemicals to break up rock and free natural gas, and the practice is largely unregulated and highly controversial in the US.
Lamo Does Not Regret Snitching on Manning
Adrian Lamo, the ex-hacker who turned in alleged WikiLeaks leaker Bradley Manning, recently said that he does not regret snitching on Manning and aiding in the criminal prosecution of the former military intelligence officer, according to CNET. “Sometimes you need to consider the good of the many versus the good of the one,” Lamo said. Lamo himself pleaded guilty in 2004 to hacking into The New York Times' computers, and has since positioned himself as a patriotic hacker for hire. Lamo encouraged Manning to confide in him over a web chat as Manning allegedly stole thousands of US diplomatic cables and military intelligence files and turned them over to WikiLeaks. Manning is currently being held in a maximum-security facility and is facing a series of charges that could carry life imprisonment or the death penalty.
Dozens Dead in Yemen After Clashes
Dozens of Yemeni protesters were killed in street battles with the country's security forces yesterday, according to The Guardian UK. At least 41 people died in overnight clashes as Yemeni President Ali Abdullah Saleh reinforced his armed security forces after clashes with fighters loyal to a rebel tribal leader. Some British diplomats have described the situation as “worse than Libya.” The Guardian UK also reports that Human Rights Watch has accused Syria of killing and torturing political dissidents as pro-democracy demonstrations spread through Syria and the Arab world.
Help us Prepare for Trump’s Day One
Trump is busy getting ready for Day One of his presidency – but so is Truthout.
Trump has made it no secret that he is planning a demolition-style attack on both specific communities and democracy as a whole, beginning on his first day in office. With over 25 executive orders and directives queued up for January 20, he’s promised to “launch the largest deportation program in American history,” roll back anti-discrimination protections for transgender students, and implement a “drill, drill, drill” approach to ramp up oil and gas extraction.
Organizations like Truthout are also being threatened by legislation like HR 9495, the “nonprofit killer bill” that would allow the Treasury Secretary to declare any nonprofit a “terrorist-supporting organization” and strip its tax-exempt status without due process. Progressive media like Truthout that has courageously focused on reporting on Israel’s genocide in Gaza are in the bill’s crosshairs.
As journalists, we have a responsibility to look at hard realities and communicate them to you. We hope that you, like us, can use this information to prepare for what’s to come.
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In addition to covering the widespread onslaught of draconian policy, we’re shoring up our resources for what might come next for progressive media: bad-faith lawsuits from far-right ghouls, legislation that seeks to strip us of our ability to receive tax-deductible donations, and further throttling of our reach on social media platforms owned by Trump’s sycophants.
We’re preparing right now for Trump’s Day One: building a brave coalition of movement media; reaching out to the activists, academics, and thinkers we trust to shine a light on the inner workings of authoritarianism; and planning to use journalism as a tool to equip movements to protect the people, lands, and principles most vulnerable to Trump’s destruction.
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Today, we’re asking all of our readers to start a monthly donation or make a one-time donation – as a commitment to stand with us on day one of Trump’s presidency, and every day after that, as we produce journalism that combats authoritarianism, censorship, injustice, and misinformation. You’re an essential part of our future – please join the movement by making a tax-deductible donation today.
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