For a just solution to the problems in the Middle East there needs to be a peaceful and just resolution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

Trump’s Peace Plan for the Middle East”

On its face Trump’s “Peace Plan” is nothing but the epitome of imperialist arrogance since it was being conceived in secrecy for over two years without so much as seeking the input, let alone approval, of the Palestinian people or even our own members Congress.

Jimmy Carter explained the problems in his response:

https://www.cartercenter.org/news/pr/2020/jimmy-carter-denounces-middle-east-proposal.html

Former U.S. President Jimmy Carter Denounces Middle East Proposal

January 30, 2020

For Immediate Release

(بالعربية)

Atlanta – President Trump’s plan for unilateral annexation to Israel of a large piece of the occupied Palestinian territories offers the Palestinians fragmented statehood, without control of their borders, in four years and subject to certain conditions, and leaves the status of large parts of the West Bank to be determined in the future. Prime Minister Netanyahu has called for the immediate annexation to Israel of all settlements in the West Bank.
The plan violates the two-state solution based on the 1967 borders, which is codified in a long line of United Nations Security Council resolutions from 242 (1967) to 2334 (2016). Further, the proposal breaches international law regarding self-determination, the acquisition of land by force, and annexation of occupied territories. By calling Israel “the nation state of the Jewish people,” the plan also encourages the denial of equal rights to the Palestinian citizens of Israel.
President Carter said, “The new U.S. plan undercuts prospects for a just peace between Israelis and Palestinians. If implemented, the plan will doom the only viable solution to this long-running conflict, the two-state solution.” President Carter urged member states of the United Nations “to adhere to UN Security Council resolutions and to reject any unilateral Israeli implementation of the proposal by grabbing more Palestinian land.”

                                                                          ***********

Because we lack a broad-based mass anti-imperialist movement, the American people have no say in any peace process; or for that matter, we lack a voice in all foreign policy matters.

Any citizen based initiative must include all U.S. support and funding of the Israeli killing machine must end, and support for the Palestinians having a seat at the table.

The United States, Great Britain, France and Germany must finance the burden of Palestinian development including building homes, schools. hospitals, farms and orchards and an infrastructure enabling the Palestinians to recover from the destruction they have been the victim of.

Many survivors of the Nazi concentration camps have pointed out that the Israeli government has done to the Palestinians what Hitler did to the Jews; these criminals must be fully prosecuted to the full extent of the law.

 All walls blocking free access to Israel by the Palestinian people must be removed.

Without imperialist meddling inciting racist animosities, Jews and Palestinians can, and will, find the ways to live in peace through citizen initiatives based on mutual understanding and respect for one another.

Meir Vilner, a staunch anti-imperialist and anti-fascist proponent of socialism--- prominent both as a founder of Israel and a most respected politician by both Jews and Palestinians, always pointed out that unless Israel enforced full equality and full civil rights for all of its citizens along with living in peace and harmony with all of its neighbors, Israel would fail as an independent country… and this remains true today.

The money- our tax dollars- being squandered on armaments for Israel would be better spent funding our own schools and health care

No more arms for Israel!

Justice for the Palestinian people!

What you can do:

* Circulate this statement.
* Organize forums and debates.

* Write letters to members of Congress and your local papers.

* Demonstrate.
* Citizen participation in formulating a just and peaceful foreign policy is required.

A concerned citizen/activist organizing package to help build the movement to free Rodney Reed

A concerned citizen/activist organizing package to help build the movement to free Rodney Reed

Everyone is asking me:

“What is with this Texas Governor Greg Abbott that he refuses to recognize the overwhelming evidence that Rodney Reed is innocent and is proceeding to allow his execution while the real murderer of Stacy Stites, Jimmy Fennell, is allowed to go free?”


Quite literally, everyone is asking this question.


Well, it’s the same thing that has driven this case, this frame-up, of Rodney Reed from the very beginning:


RACISM.


Racist hate drove Jimmy Fennell to carry out this premeditated heinous brutal murder of Stacey Stites.


Racist hate, combined with corruption and a long legacy of historical, institutional, cultural and political racism is what is blinding Texas Governor Greg Abbott to the real facts involved in this case to the point where he has no respect for Rodney Reed’s right-to-life.


This movement for justice for Rodney Reed now involves millions of people, all across the country and here in Texas as it spreads across the globe... everyone is looking on in horror and in disbelief that the Governor of the State of Texas is allowing the execution of Rodney Reed to move forward in spite of overwhelming testimony from witnesses together with real medical and scientific evidence that Rodney Reed is innocent and everyone, except Governor Greg Abbott, can see that Rodney Reed is innocent recognizing that Rodney Reed should be exonerated without further delay and this execution halted.


With time running out as the scheduled day of Rodney Reed’s execution approaches, Governor Greg Abbott’s refusal time act in accordance with what human decency and justice demands can only be considered to be mean and spiteful with his actions intended to feed his small and dwindling racist base of support.


No doubt, at one time, Texas Governor Greg Abbott was thinking that with so few people concerned about the plight of Rodney Reed, because no one knew what was being passed off in the name of justice here in Texas, he could get away with executing Rodney Reed and that would be the end of the matter.


But, now, with a growing population having been informed and educated as to all the facts in this case, Texas Governor Abbott is having a great deal of difficulty carrying out his original plans, not because he has a conscience, but because he has been caught as a participant in this hideous racist frame-up of Rodney Reed.


The final decision of whether or not to execute Rodney Reed is not going to be a decision Texas Governor Greg Abbott makes on his own... the determination will be made in the ultimate court... the court of public opinion.


Can we build and organize the kind of massive and overwhelming movement in the short time left to force Texas Governor Greg Abbott to do what is right and just: stop this execution and exonerate Rodney Reed.


Texas Governor Greg Abbott comes looking for votes but he doesn’t want to hear from the people when it comes to what is right and what is wrong and what basic human decency requires.


Texas Governor Greg Abbott turns his back in indifference to millions of people now on record calling on him to do what is ethically and morally right in this case... only more people raising their voices is going to convince Texas Governor Greg Abbott to turn around and face the people and do what is right.


This is no time to give up... we must intensify and bring many more people into this struggle for justice for Rodney Reed.


We can not allow the execution of this innocent man to take place in our name.


Talk to everyone you know; get on the phone and talk to everyone- friends, neighbors, politicians, journalists, clergy, community leaders and grassroots activists.


We must ask, where are the voices from the labor unions? Rank-and-file workers are speaking out but we have yet to hear from union leaders. We are talking about the life of an innocent black worker, the victim of a racist frame-up. Organized labor must add its voice to this struggle for justice.


Take this plea for justice into every union hall for action.


Time is running out.


Look around you; do you know someone who hasn’t spoken up but who will speak up if they are educated to the facts in this case... talk to these people... don’t procrastinate.


Sign the petition and pass it along to others:

Stop the Execution of Rodney Reed!
https://www.change.org/p/stop-the-execution-of-rodney-reed

Here is some good basic information on the case for you to use to educate people...


Dr. Phil:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VEphVV4LbrY

https://www.dailymotion.com/video/x7mk087


Democracy Now... this is excellent:
https://www.democracynow.org/2019/11/6/rodney_reed_calls_to_stop_execution?fbclid=IwAR3iPOYXr4X2i8qr1lodITdx1L5xwrAdr_xUwJmvVragzBkGs0mtEKnodBU


The Intercept:
https://theintercept.com/2019/11/08/rodney-reed-death-row-texas/?fbclid=IwAR1qq2aevrdhoNtTM_KEDHm-bSV3fZ7rIJDfpDvfgejh_6_TFFiAdQu-470


Washington Post:
https://www.washingtonpost.com/crime-law/2019/11/06/texas-plans-execute-man-this-month-murder-his-lawyers-say-someone-else-confessed-crime/?fbclid=IwAR3GfwL1Vf0Z4xCTXgZGlbg6GzQjW8T5EaH7hIb9huCYYKJMcbUImBMK2A4

Bishop Joe Vasquez speaks out (includes video)
https://austindiocese.org/bishop-pleads-for-rodney-reeds-life?fbclid=IwAR0tT4L2jccidJg1TpwdeoHa_oq0_h8aY1QHBP3xp6CA_bwctk0NCwFUE48

Bastrop County Democratic Party resolution:
https://bastropdemocrats.org/resolved-to-achieve-exoneration-of-rodney-reed/?fbclid=IwAR0b0xeXdi1sO1l3UuOo3Ycg8iOBqn8H6gz_jq5id-hy2o40pIoCWYWSF8I

Polk County Republicans:
https://www.facebook.com/maki.alan/posts/2737127873034463

Austin-American Statesman
https://www.statesman.com/opinion/20191106/editorial-donrsquot-execute-rodney-reed-while-doubts-remain

Oprah Winfrey:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eCfDLaEN0rk&feature=youtu.be&fbclid=IwAR3TEKJ2iEb0OZ2Pmxz53GIEPTBYO5U2s71ccgUGkStITp_BP888g53y0P8

New York Times:
https://www.nytimes.com/2019/11/06/us/rodney-reed-death-row-texas.html

History of racism and the criminal justice system from the New York Times "1619 Project:"
https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2019/08/14/magazine/prison-industrial-complex-slavery-racism.html?fbclid=IwAR2veEKhDnDEZUWsHjFZyNFE4h6DfsEq67agLjbg5mKCima2FvpdzwO6e9E&mtrref=www.facebook.com&gwh=515BF6EC60792FA4D0F6E71A217C2AE7&gwt=pay&assetType=REGIWALL


Letter from Texas State Senator Kirk Watson to Governor Abbott:
http://www.kirkwatson.com/featured-posts/request-for-reprieve-for-rodney-reed/


Letter from Texas State Representative Vikki Goodwin to Governor Abbott:
https://twitter.com/VikkiGoodwinTX/status/1190003004906364928



Letter from bi-partisan group of Texas State Legislators to Governor Abbott:
https://files.constantcontact.com/ad1cddb9001/edecbf75-f862-4b6a-a4da-a6d3e434bd61.pdf


If you need more info and people to contact let me know.


Here is the contact information for Texas Governor Greg Abbott... write, call, visit his office:
(512) 463-2000 - Office of the Governor Main Switchboard
(office hours are 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. CST)
Call 711 for Relay Texas - Citizen's Assistance Telecommunications Device, if you are using a telecommunication device for the deaf (TDD)


Mailing Address
Office of the Governor
P.O. Box 12428
Austin, Texas 78711-2428


Just a note as to how this struggle for justice to save Rodney Reed is shaping up:


Texas Governor Greg Abbott and his cabal of racist bigots are gearing up for a battle over Rodney Reed as they turn to some of the most vicious and vile racism not seen so openly in Texas in many years:


**********************
CNN reports today:

In a now deleted tweet highlighting the growing divide in the case, the Texas District & County Attorneys Association posted: "Not sure how Reed's supporters have turned him into the most popular serial rapist since Michael Jackson."
***********************


This is just the beginning.


These arrogant racist bigots who hold all levers of state power in Texas are intent on executing Rodney Reed as a way to opportunistically and sadistically mobilize their racist base.


Greg Abbott and his cabal of racist bigots can’t figure out how to get themselves out of this racist mess they created for themselves and they are now turning to this vile racism as their last bastion of defense.


This is sick!

A comment:

Alone our individual voices are like one little raindrop, we don't amount to much; but, let it pour... working together we become a powerful flood like a dry stream-bed overflowing its banks.You can find a lot of other information by doing a Google search: "Rodney Reed"
Please share the link to this blog post.
Yours in the struggle to save Rodney Reed,
Alan Maki
512-517-2708

Stealing from the Social Security Trust Fund to pay for wars.

Why do politicians now talk about Social Security as being part of the federal budget? Because it is; it shouldn’t be; it was never intended to be...


But it is:


Social Security has become part of the federal budget because Congress has been “borrowing” (stealing trillions of dollars) from the Social Security Trust Fund and now they don’t want to pay this money back so they are developing all kinds of devious schemes to undermine Social Security... raise the age of retirement instead of lowering it, increasing the price of Medicare Part B, failing to raise the employers’ contribution, refusing to make Social Security the living income it was intended to be, etc.

Instead of using the Social Security Trust Fund for the purposes intended- to finance Social Security programs- Congress has mainly used these funds to finance militarism and wars since it has mixed these funds into the general fund with the biggest share of the general fund going to the defense budget.



This “borrowing” (theft) from the Social Security Trust Fund must be stopped as a prelude to any real Social Security reform.

The case for socialized health care.

The private, for-profit health industry can’t meet the needs when it comes to emerging diseases... one more reason for socialized health care.


And poor diplomatic relations between countries can’t stop the spread of communicable diseases.
Scientists need to be able to work together in cooperation across borders.

Trump with his creating animosities with the entire world is an obstacle to maintaining the health and well-being of people all over the globe.

A thought about reforms.

I constantly get apologists for the Democrats lecturing me about how we can’t enact broad sweeping universal reforms, or even very modestly reform existing legislation like Social Security.


They tell me we should be satisfied with “baby steps” and “incremental reforms.”


Here is my answer to this self-serving crap:

If these Democrats really believed in “incremental reforms” and “baby steps” they would have been making sure the Minimum Wage and Social Security was kept in line with the actual cost-of-living ever since these pieces of legislation were enacted.


Instead, these Democrats dumped Claude Pepper the most forceful advocate for maintaining the Minimum Wage and Social Security as real living incomes and they helped destroy the plans for Lyndon Johnson’s “Great Society” by supporting the war in Vietnam... then they stabbed George McGovern in the back and supported Nixon.


And now these Democrats counsel us to be “patient” that if we elect them they will take “baby steps” and implement “incremental reforms.”


Now that they want our votes, just like Obama did, they claim they are for everything that will solve our problems. Are we supposed to believe them this time around? Why?


Somebody tell me why we are supposed to believe any of these Democrats who are trying to convince us that they are going to work for us.

What is "philanthropy?"

From Diane Gee; how true:


Philanthropy (n): The act of throwing crumbs at the poor to hide the fact that you are the cause of their poverty and avoid paying taxes for their safety nets.

A profound thought from a Canadian worker about democracy...

Thoughts, very thoughtful and concise, on capitalist democracy from Glen Wreggitt...


'Democracy' is the shell hiding the game; the sheepskin clothing the wolf. If we look carefully, we can glimpse the teeth flashing beneath the costume. The teeth are stained with blood. Some pretend not to notice, perhaps believing that we must accept the wolf along with the sheep. However, the wolf, being a wolf, is insatiable and will wear the sheepskin only until he believes that it continues to benefit him. Some of us know about the wolf, some suspect, and others do not believe he exists.

Everything Trump...

1

The politics and economics of livelihood.

Trump’s “State of the Union” speech was nothing but a litany of lies with the Democrats rising with the Republicans to cheer his imperialist agenda and they even rise to applaud their fascist Guaido, their designated president of Venezuela- the whole thing was shameful and disgusting.


Instead of adequately responding point by point to Trump’s speech, Nancy Pelosi- after rising to applaud Trump’s warmongering, she merely ripped up the speech.


Democrats offer no alternative to Trump’s Wall Street agenda.

Working people need our own party.


Working people need our own politics and ideology- the politics, ideology and economics of livelihood: Marxism.

Nancy Pelosi was right to tear up Trump's State of the Union Speech... it was a litany of lies and racism.

Nancy Pelosi tore up Trump’s speech and this has irked some people; however, Trump has shredded the Constitution and Bill of Rights and these people say nothing about this.

Defend public education.

Trump has a complete disdain for public education.


In his State of the Union speech he said:


“For too long, countless American children have been trapped in failing government schools.”


Public education is by far the most important universal social program ever enacted and it is just as universally supported by people all over the world.


No social programs works so well.


To the extent public education anyplace is failing it is because it is being sabotaged and underfunded and funded through regressive taxes like the property tax with teachers being pressured by the right wing business community not to teach science and the truth about history.


To the extent public education is failing is the result of politicians like Trump appointing right wing nut jobs like Betsy DeVos to oversee public education finding underhanded ways of spending tax-dollars supporting private religious schools.


These right wing politicians like Trump berate public education on the one hand as they push prayers and Bible studies in place of reading, writing, math, science, history and the arts.


For over two-hundred years society has known how to educate people to be competent in reading, writing, arithmetic while nurturing an understanding of history and creating the kind of thinking skills required to advance science and technology.


For over one-hundred fifty years public education in this country has made education available to everyone- not just the wealthy few... and the obscenely wealthy few like Trump and Betsy DeVos have been opposed to the children of the working class receiving any education beyond what is required to do the jobs required in the process of exploiting us from which they have derived such tremendous wealth.


Who is responsible for failing public schools? Ironically, it is Trump and these right wing bigots and all the millionaires and billionaires who are so adamant that they not be taxed to pay for the public education of working class children so these bigots sabotage the public schools in any way they can.
It is public education that we should be able to point to as a world class system of education because it is properly funded, properly administered and properly delivered.


The viability of any universal social program depends on three key components:

How well it is funded.


How well it is administered.


Adequate delivery carried out by properly trained and dedicated staff to accomplish its goals and objectives.

Public education in this country is not adequately funded- when it is, the wealthy few opposed to public education rush in to profit from the public trough they claim to despise.


Reactionary politicians appoint over-paid administrators who have no commitment to public education in the first place other than their own selfish interests to receive high salaries for undermining the very system they are hired to oversee.


And dedicated teachers are forced to buckle under to the most reactionary and bigoted local school boards made up of people who often don’t even send their own children to public schools... the John Bircher Betsy DeVos appointed by Trump to oversee the Department of Education is the classic example of this.


How can a person who is opposed to public education be appointed to oversee public education?


Trump publicly stated his disdain for public education when he appointed Betsy De Vos to oversee its destruction and then again he stated his disdain for public education in this comment that was
disgracefully applauded with Betsy DeVos leading the cheers:


“For too long, countless American children have been trapped in failing government schools.”


Disgusting. Shameful. But very typical coming from a president who chooses to cut funding for public education as he transfers these funds for militarism and wars.


This one sentence from Trump tells us just what kind of arrogant rich fascist bastard he really is.


Anyone with such a thoroughly reactionary outlook shouldn’t be holding any elected or appointed government position, let alone being the president of the United States.