National Security Advisor Michael Flynn resigns over the revelation that he discussed U.S. sanctions on Russia with a Russian ambassador before being confirmed to his Cabinet job. These discussions may have violated the Logan Act, which prevents private citizens from conducting foreign policy on behalf of our nation, and I guess we should be glad that Mr. Flynn's "apology" to the Trump Administration didn't end like this. But, gosh, it sure is a good thing we've got a law and order Administration now!
We learn from the Bill of Rights Defense Committee that FBI Joint Terrorism Task Force members have been trying to question Standing Rock protestors. They've been using the notorious "knock and talk" method, whereby agents try to strike up a "voluntary" conversation, without a warrant (warrants: they're so quaint!) and without your lawyer present. The good news? Local citizen groups have been able to pressure local police (including San Francisco's!) into withdrawing from participation in the JTTF. But you're about as likely to find a "terrorist" at Standing Rock as you are to find a short quarterback in the NFL.
Surprise, surprise, civil rights groups that get a lot of money from big telecoms are against internet freedom as the FCC protects it. Groups who rightfully oppose discrimination also opposing the FCC net neutrality order which prevents big telecoms from...discriminating? You have no need to think about it -- just follow the money -- and you have no need to parse through their absurd arguments, not least because we've already smacked them down a hundred times, but also because their folly demands nothing from us but shame and shunning. They should really know better.
Also from the "surprise, surprise" file: Donald Trump seemed warm to banning lobbyists from his Administration when he was running for President, but now he's hiring them, because of course he is. Sadly, I think the worse hypocrisies are coming: his draft budgets cut Social Security and Medicare though he promised not to do that as a candidate. And while Mr. Trump hasn't been a hypocrite on "free" trade, and I'm quite pleased with that, I feel compelled to add the qualifier: yet.
Finally, given the very strong possibility that anti-labor "right-to-work" laws will be the standard nationwide within a few years, Leah Freed at Labor Notes describes how unions can "survive and even thrive" under such adversity. The first lesson, of course, is to fight the boss and win for your workers -- meaning not just winning grievances but winning better wages and working conditions at contract time. The final lesson (not that the ones inbetween aren't vital, too!) is to "involve members in bigger movements." Sounds like good advice for weak Democrats, too -- but I bet we have more success getting unions to take that advice.
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