Blaming Russia Is Irresistible to the Democrats

[Truthdig] [Daily Headlines] Friday, December 23, 2016 If you believe America should be a multiracial, multiethnic society, if you believe in welcoming immigrants, if you believe in peace, and if you believe that we as a people should be able to deliberately improve our economic situation—then you need to get involved in the project of presenting the American people with solutions to the problems that are tearing Americans’ lives to shreds. If you don’t, then the fascists are going to win. – Zack Exley Featured Story [Blaming Russia Is Irresistible to the Democrats] By Paul Street — The “Putin did it” narrative is not about keeping Donald Trump out of office (an impossibility). It’s about shaping the political and policy environment in coming months and years. [Share on Facebook] [Share on Twitter] [Never before has so much been on the line. And never before has independent and uncompromising journalism been more important. That's what we do at Truthdig. Support Us Today.] Ear to the Ground [Sanders Supporter Charges Senior Michigan Democrat With Assault After Committee Meeting Dispute] Reports that senior Michigan Democrats rigged the process for choosing electors of the new DNC chairman and threw Bernie Sanders supporters out of a party meeting suggest that Democratic elites will not allow Minnesota Rep. Keith Ellison (pictured) to become the party’s leader without a fight. [Share on Facebook] [Share on Twitter] [Obama’s Grants of Clemency Top 1,300 in Effort to Address Justice System Problems] By KiMi Robinson — On Tuesday, he granted 78 pardons and 153 commutations—the record for any president in a single day—to individuals with nonviolent offenses. [Share on Facebook] [Share on Twitter] [Investigation Points to Rampant Sexual Abuse of Underage Gymnasts Across the U.S.] A wide-ranging review of police and court records reveals an alarming number of cases involving the sexual exploitation of young athletes by gymnastics coaches and mentors at all levels of the sport. [Share on Facebook] [Share on Twitter] [Bedrock Support Gifting] Give the gift of becoming a [Bedrock Supporter]. The recipient of your choice will receive a year of exciting [Bedrock Supporter benefits], and you will be investing in the future of Truthdig. Reports [Fake News and the New McCarthyism] Charges of Russian interference in our election should be investigated but ought not to become an occasion to harass domestic critics of U.S. policy.  [Share on Facebook] [Share on Twitter] [Billionaire Carl Icahn Will Lead Trump’s ‘Deregulatory Charge,’ Consumer Advocate Says] Robert Weissman, president of the group Public Citizen, declares that Icahn “epitomizes predatory corporate capitalism.” [Share on Facebook] [Share on Twitter] [Correcting Schumer on What Medicare Privatization Would Mean] When confronted at a “Hands Off Our Medicare” event, the Senate’s incoming Democratic minority leader—who has blamed doctors for endangering Medicare—acknowledges the role of insurance companies as well. [Share on Facebook] [Share on Twitter] [Will Political Chaos in North Carolina Lead to a ‘Third Reconstruction’?] By Amy Goodman — The Rev. William Barber has hope: “[Republicans] are afraid. ... They know that if we have policy movement along with this kind of moral movement, it will not only energize North Carolina, but it could energize the rest of the South.” [Share on Facebook] [Share on Twitter] [The Italian Banking Crisis: No Free Lunch—or Is There?] The Italian banking crisis that could take down the eurozone has been called “a bigger risk than Brexit.” Handwringing officials say there is “no magic bullet,” but a British professor, Richard Werner, says remedies are just being ignored. [Share on Facebook] [Share on Twitter] Cartoon [Horsemen of the Trump Cabinet] [Share on Facebook] [Share on Twitter] [Drilling Beneath the Headlines][Truthdig] [Donate Today!] [Follow Truthdig on Twitter] [Follow Truthdig on Facebook] This email was sent to {EMAIL}, by [newsletter@truthdig.com] [Support Truthdig] | [Contact Us] | [Unsubscribe] | [Update Profile] | [Forward To A Friend]