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‘We Want Everybody Walking Out’: UAW Chief Outlines Mass Strike Plan for 2028 (Maria)
The author writes, “Shawn Fain, the United Auto Workers president, criticized Donald Trump on Monday but declined to back Joe Biden as he reaffirmed plans to lead a general strike in the US in 2028. Speaking to union members at the UAW national political conference in Washington DC, Fain said it was time for union members to come together. … ‘Back in 1980 when Reagan at the time fired PATCO workers, everybody in this country should have stood up and walked the hell out,’ Fain said. ‘We missed the opportunity then, but we’re not going to miss it in 2028. That’s the plan. We want a general strike. We want everybody walking out.’”
VIDEO: Democracy by Margaret Atwood (Dana)
From the Financial Times: “In a year in which more than half the world goes to the polls, acclaimed novelist Margaret Atwood asks whether democracy is fragile and easily destroyed or flexible and resilient. This animated monologue is the first of four films examining the state of government, representation, rights and freedom.”
‘Our System Needs to Be Broken, and He Is the Man to Do It’ (Al)
The author writes, “Ted Johnson sincerely thought he wanted a uniter not a divider. It didn’t last long.”
Half of Recent US Inflation Due to High Corporate Profits, Report Finds (DonkeyHotey and Reader Pat)
The author writes, “A new report claims ‘resounding evidence’ shows that high corporate profits are a main driver of ongoing inflation, and companies continue to keep prices high even as their inflationary costs drop. The report, compiled by the progressive Groundwork Collaborative thinktank, found corporate profits accounted for about 53% of inflation during last year’s second and third quarters. Profits drove just 11% of price growth in the 40 years prior to the pandemic, according to the report.”
More Than 300 Journalists Around the World Imprisoned Because of Their Work, Report Says (Reader Steve)
The author writes, “An estimated 320 journalists around the world were imprisoned because of their work toward the end of 2023, according to a report issued Thursday by the Committee to Protect Journalists, which called it a disturbing attempt to smother independent voices. That’s the second-highest number of jailed journalists since the committee began its annual census in 1992. It’s down from 367 in 2022, due primarily to the release of many in Iran, either on bail or as they await sentencing, the committee said.”
Fujitsu Bugs That Sent Innocent People to Prison Were Known ‘From the Start’ (Reader Jim)
The author writes, “Fujitsu software bugs that helped send innocent postal employees to prison in the UK were known ‘right from the very start of deployment,’ a Fujitsu executive told a public inquiry [last week]. … That goes back to 1999, when the Horizon software system was installed in post offices by Fujitsu subsidiary International Computers Limited. From 1999 to 2015, Fujitsu’s faulty accounting software aided in the prosecution and conviction of more than 900 sub-postmasters and postmistresses who were accused of theft or fraud when the software wrongly made it appear that money was missing from their branches.”
Visualizing the Great Pacific Garbage Patch (Laura)
From the BBC: “Since its discovery, the Great Pacific Garbage Patch (GPGP) has often been depicted in the media as a floating mass of plastic, and referred to as a trash island. However, contrary to popular belief, there is no surface on which to stand and it can’t be seen from space.”
