Articles by Andrew Dobbs
Senior Year Week 1-6
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The Cities Are In Trouble
By The Molesy Message on The Capital I am having trouble comprehending what is happening in this world. There are no political leaders to follow and The Overton window gets smaller every day. I re-posted this photo the other day which feels pretty accurate: source - joerogan I don’t know who made this but I laughed. JUNE 10, 2020 The two-party political system makes me sick and the people using all their energy to win the battle benefits nobody.
On Whose Authority? An Analysis of the Powers and Limits of the WI Governor and DHS Secretary
Rick Esenberg As we complete the fourth week of lockdown, many Wisconsinites are wondering how long this extraordinary state of affairs can continue and how it might end. And what happens if the Governor and Legislature cannot agree on what happens next? These questions were given fresh urgency today after DHS Secretary-designee Andrea Palm unilaterally determined that the “Safer at Home” order would continue through May 26, 2020, beyond the expiration of the Governor’s emergency declaration.
The Wickedness of Texas Politics
Idolatry and Human Sacrifice Under the Pink Dome By Andrew Dobbs (If you like this kind of writing, help me do more of it by supporting me on Patreon). The Eighty Sixth session of the Texas Legislature has come to an end, and with it too my career as a legislative lobbyist. I may still need to do some song and dance shows at City Halls or the occasional county commissioner’s court, but the sooner I can get away from all that too, the better.
Irresponsible Protections: Venezuela and Foreign Intervention
A stalemate of sorts has developed in Venezuela. The pretender, Juan Guaidó, as head of the opposition-controlled National Assembly, continues as faux interim president, noisier than ever, but no more effectual than the time he declared his intentions to overthrow the incumbent. President Nicolás Maduro, despite winning in 2018, is still cited as the illegitimate one, holding the reins of a ruined country.
Status on Trump’s Slow-Motion Coup in Venezuela
In late December 2016, the Washington Post published an explosive story: the wily Russians had successfully hacked into the US electric grid, threatening us all. “Breaking,” the Post wrote on Twitter: “Russian hackers penetrated US electricity grid through a utility in Vermont.” The reaction from politicians and so-called journalists was duly histrionic.
The US and European Campaign to Overthrow Nicolas Maduro Is A 'Coup by Media'
Travelling with Hugo Chavez, I soon understood the threat of Venezuela. At a farming co-operative in Lara state, people waited patiently and with good humour in the heat. Jugs of water and melon juice were passed around. A guitar was played; a woman, Katarina, stood and sang with a husky contralto. "What did her words say?" I asked. "That we are proud," was the reply. The applause for her merged with the arrival of Chavez. Under one arm he carried a satchel bursting with books.
If Guaido Can Elect Himself President, Why Can't Le Pen?
In a strike for "democracy," the United States and its assorted suck-ups around the world have officially recognized Juan Guaido, of whom no one had ever heard until he announced that he was selecting himself as the new president of Venezuela, as the new president of Venezuela. "Now," Mike Pompeo, exuding his enormous charisma, told the UN Security Council, "it is time for every other nation to pick a side. No more delays, no more games.
On Venezuela and NATO, the Democratic Party is the “Assistance” Not the “Resistance” to Empire
The Trump Administration has pursued an open-air coup against the socialist government of Venezuela, with Pence and company nominating the unelected oligarch Juan Guaido as “interim” president of the oil-rich nation. Guaido resides in a National Assembly stock full of white racist oligarchs seeking to overthrow the rule of Bolivarian socialism.
The United States Quitting Syria Could Mean a Little Less War in the World
It’s rare when you can get hawkish Republican senators, media liberals, Islamic extremists, neoconservative pseudointellectuals, internet anarchists and retired military talking heads all on...
Yemen Is Dying. We’re Killing It
The U.S. Senate’s Dec. 12, 2018 vote to compel the Pentagon to end its support for Saudi Arabia’s war in the Republic of Yemen was extraordinary. First, it is rare that the top political leadership of the world’s foremost war-maker — the United States — takes action against ongoing military conflict. Second, U.S. media reported the vote as an unprecedented rebuke of Saudi Arabia.
Donald Trump’s Border Deployment Doesn’t Make American Safer
Journalists and human-rights advocates have begun asking when the U.S military will end its deployment of nearly 6,000 troops to the United States-Mexico border. The deployment began just prior to the Nov. 6, 2018 mid-term elections allegedly in response to the “threat” that a caravan of Central American refugees seeking asylum in the United States posed to U.S. security. Initially the Pentagon claimed the deployment would end on Dec. 15, 2018, but now it seems to be walking back that deadline.
The Venezuelan Coup and Gilets Jaunes: Great-Power Politics in a Multipolar World Order
In France on November 17, 2018, hundreds of thousands of citizens, angered by the diminishing quality of their lives, the social iniquity in the country, and the widening gap between rich and poor, took to the streets in protest.
Prof. Atilio Borón: “The US Intervention in Venezuela Has Been Persistent Since the Rise of Chavez in 1999”
Mohsen Abdelmoumen: How do you explain the retreat of the left and the rise of the far right in Latin America, as we saw in Brazil with the election of the fascist and torturer Jair Bolsonaro and that of Mauricio Macri in Argentina? Professor Atilio Borón: There are many reasons, which I could only summarize here. First, the intensity of the American counter offensive to defeat progressive governments has been impressive.
There’s One Reason America Refuses to Hold Saudi Arabia Responsible for Murder
The apparent extrajudicial execution of Saudi Arabian journalist Jamal Khashoggi in Turkey on Oct. 2, 2018 seemed like a watershed moment in the protracted push to hold the autocratic, theocratic Saudi regime accountable. The moment seems to have passed. The recent U.S. elections have overshadowed the story, and neither Khashoggi’s murder nor U.S. relations to the Saudi government were election issues.
No, Voting Democrat is Not “Harm Reduction” – Andrew Dobbs – Medium
So the elections have come and gone. We now have about half the country sure that a new day is dawning and hope is born anew, and half the country sure that we are doomed to a thousand years of darkness. I’m writing this before the results come out, so it could still go either way, though all the signs indicate the Democrats will perform very well this year.
America Is Winning in Afghanistan
October 2018 marked the 17th anniversary of the U.S. war in Afghanistan. Despite near unanimity when the war began, mainstream political opinion now seems to be that the United States has “lost” the war. “Seventeen years into the U.S. military mission in Afghanistan, Americans remain pessimistic about U.S. efforts in the country,” a new study from the Pew Research Center revealed in September 2018.
Building a Direct Action Strategy for Real Resistance
Our political system is designed to channel mass frustration into rituals designed by the very folks that pissed us off in the first place. These rituals allow us to play at threatening them — which feels rewarding — without putting them at any risk whatsoever. A growing number of people are realizing this.
To Understand Venezuela’s Crisis, Look to the Past … and the CIA
On Sept. 11, 1973, a military junta headed by Gen. Augusto Pinochet completed a coup against the left-wing government of Chilean president Salvador Allende. Allende had given hope to many leftists around the world that socialism could come to power peacefully and coexist with liberal political institutions. The chaos and tumult of his three year presidency and its violent end seemed to demonstrate the impossibility of such a strategy.
These Officials Let 9/11 Happen
Powerful people, whose job it was to protect the U.S. public, made choices that facilitated the 9/11 attacks, according to an explosive new book. The Watchdogs Didn’t Bark: The CIA, NSA and the Crimes of the War on Terror by John Duffy and Ray Nowosielski is a harrowing, compelling read. The book is Duffy and Nowosielski’s third work together and the culmination of their efforts, following 2006’s documentary film 9/11: Press for Truth and the 2011 investigative podcast Who is Rich Blee?
Almost Everything Americans Hear About Venezuela Is A Lie
Tune into virtually any mainstream news source in the US, Canada, or Europe and you will see a striking unanimity among the “free and independent” press when it comes to Venezuela. Corporate-aligned media all claim that Venezuela’s government is corrupt and autocratic, led by a “strongman” who could only win illegitimate elections and whose socialist policies have plunged the country into chaos, a mess which the United States now has some sort of obligation to clean up.
How Likely Are Trade Wars to Become Shooting Wars?
The United States has experienced a wider and faster shift on basic questions of trade policy in less than two years than in the previous seven decades. From a broad bipartisan consensus in favor of liberalized free trade guaranteed by multilateral agreements — a consensus long contested by politically marginal elements on both the left and right — Pres. Donald Trump has reinvigorated protectionism.
‘Sorry to Bother You’ Is Boldly Anti-Imperialistic
Sorry to Bother You, an explicitly left-wing surrealist satire written, directed and produced by Oakland-based rapper Boots Riley has become one of the surprise box-office hits of 2018. Kicking off the year as one of the darlings of the Sundance Film Festival, the indie flick had one of 2018’s five best per-screen openings in limited release, going on to expand to wide release and earn back its budget five times over in just its first month.
Austin: A City of Suckers? – Andrew Dobbs – Medium
The three biggest controversies facing the Austin City Council today are really just one problem our leaders have found three different ways to repeat. Code NEXT, the soccer stadium fiasco, and the ongoing fights over the police contract all represent instances where the City has something that another powerful, well-heeled party wants and in each case substantial factions on Council want to give their advantages away for free.
4 Things Johann Hari Gets Wrong About Addiction—Updated With a Response From Hari | The Fix
Johann Hari, a journalist and presenter of the June 2015 TED Talk, “Everything You Know About Addiction is Wrong,” has popped up on many a recovering addict’s social media feeds in recent weeks. Hari challenges the carceral model of dealing with addiction, making him another welcome opponent of the War on Drugs.
China’s Belt and Road Will Change the World
As Australian prime minister Malcolm Turnbull prepares to visit the United States in mid-February 2018, media down under report that near the top of... As Australian prime minister Malcolm Turnbull prepares to visit the United States in mid-February 2018, media down under report that near the top of his agenda with U.S. president Donald Trump are plans for the two countries to counter a project most Americans have heard very little about. China’s Belt and Road Initiative.
The Trump Administration Wants a War America Cannot Win
Who knew that U.S. vice president Mike Pence would take a page out of activist athlete Colin Kaepernick’s playbook and refuse to stand for the host team’s entry at the Winter Olympics Opening Ceremony on Feb. 8, 2018? The games were being held in PyeongChang, Korea — and the team was composed of athletes representing what most people on the peninsula imagine to be their country, if only in their hopes and dreams — one nation, united North and South.
Urbanism Is Not Socialist or Progressive – Andrew Dobbs – Medium
Which way to housing justice for Austin? Over the last two years the Austin, Texas chapter of Democratic Socialists of America (DSA) has become one of the organization’s more influential chapters and one of Austin’s largest political organizations — a big deal in one of the South’s most progressive metropolises. All of a sudden, what Austin socialists think matters. One topic they’ve waded into of late: the city’s comprehensive rewrite of its land development code.
Democrats, Consultants, and Wasted Money
Far from a “resistance” movement the Democratic Party’s response to President Donald Trump has so far been one of half measures and missed opportunities. Among their most significant failures: the party’s flat-footed investment in special Congressional elections called to replace Trump appointees.
North Korea’s Government Is Terrible - And That’s Beside the Point
When I wrote a piece about how the U.S. government misrepresents North Korea’s alleged threat to the world, I didn’t focus on North Korea’s problems?—?writing things that everyone already knows is boring. This failure to mention the regime’s repression, however, led to a great deal of consternation from readers across the political spectrum. Military buffs on one Facebook forum called me a liberal and told me to leave the country. Actual liberals were aghast?—?and certain I was confused.
A Lot of What You Know About North Korea Is Racist Nonsense
A Lot of What You Know About North Korea Is Racist Nonsense Less than three months into Pres. Donald Trump’s reign we can already say that there is a non-trivial chance that the United States will soon be engaged in a nuclear war. The threat is still remote, but all the pieces are in place.
What to Look For if the CIA Is Plotting Against Trump
Is the CIA plotting against U.S. president Donald Trump? A handful of observers think so?—?and some of them are even cheering it on.
You Must Understand Vladimir Lenin Like Steve Bannon Does – Defiant
Steve Bannon’s background reads like someone historians will ponder deep into the future?—?if there are historians or such a thing as history to be had after he’s done with us. A working-class kid turned Wall Street banker who made millions off the T.V. show Seinfeld, a filmmaker in his own right and propagandist who served as a midwife to the radicalization of the U.S. right, he is both wretched and fascinating.
Donald Trump Is Emptying Out the Government – Defiant
“Much about the role of the beachhead teams at various federal agencies is unclear,” Pro Publica reported . “But close observers of the early weeks of the Trump administration believe they have taken on considerable influence in the absence of high-level political appointees.” Others are industry lobbyists, usually from the very industries that they are now supposed to be regulating, and others are Trump campaign and right-wing political veterans.
Muslims and Queer Folks, Together in Texas – Defiant
Every odd-numbered year the Texas legislature convenes and Muslims from across the state come together early in the session for an advocacy day at the state capitol. For years the event was no more controversial than lobby days for optometrists or Jaycees. But in 2015 a far-right state representative and disruptive protesters decided to intimidate citizens petitioning their elected officials.
The CIA Just Scored a Major Victory in Its War Against Trump – Defiant
On December 21 of last year I published a piece on Defiant called “The CIA-FBI Election Feud Looks a Lot Like Prelude to a Coup.” The article argued that U.S. security agencies were taking sides in domestic politics, that there was significant daylight between Trump and Vice President Mike Pence on these issues and that in other countries or circumstances we’d be anticipating a coup d’etat. In the two months since then events have only reinforced my analysis.
Pay Attention! We’re About to Decide Whether the Democratic Party Lives or Dies – Defiant
Pay Attention! We’re About to Decide Whether the Democratic Party Lives or Dies The Democratic National Committee is electing a new chair?—?and the consequences couldn’t be more dire From Feb. 23 to 26, 2017, the Democratic National Committee will elect a new chair, one of the most consequential votes in the party’s history.
The Philippines’ Firebrand President Is Caught Between Maoists and His Own Military
The longest ceasefire to date in one of the world’s longest-running civil conflicts was set to come to an end on Feb. 10, 2017, in the Philippines. Both sides of the struggle?—?the Philippine military and the rebel Communist Party of the Philippines and its armed wing, the New People’s Army?—?agreed to the pause in August 2016 after the election of populist Rodrigo Duterte as president.
‘Peaceful’ Anti-War Movements Are Bullshit – Defiant
In the hours following U.S. president Donald Trump’s bellicose and hateful inaugural address, praise came from expected quarters. “We did it!” Ku Klux Klan leader David Duke said. He “couldn’t have asked for more” from the speech, Duke added. The neo-Nazi Daily Stormer website called the inauguration “victory day.” “It’s actually happening,” the site breathed.
Donald Trump Is Becoming an American Dictator – Defiant
Donald Trump Is Becoming an American Dictator U.S. president Donald Trump intends to be a dictator. By this I mean that he wishes to individually dictate law and individually control the levers of the state through a mixture of legal and extralegal mechanisms with no effective external restraint. The actions he is taking are all in pursuit of this goal, and he is already well on his way.
We Organized a Trump Resistance Movement — Here’s How We Did It – Defiant
We decided to start working on concrete plans starting in two weeks. The next week was Thanksgiving?—?and a reminder that we would have to do all of this work with the holidays consuming a huge chunk of our already limited organizing time.
Your Plan to Resist Trump Is Dumb and You’re a Wimp – Defiant
Your Plan to Resist Trump Is Dumb and You’re a Wimp Here’s a quick test for determining whether a proposed response to Trump is pointless or not: would the folks proposing it be doing more or less the same thing if Florida senator Marco Rubio had won the presidential election?
First, Destroy the Federal Workforce — Then Rule Like an Autocrat – Defiant
First, Destroy the Federal Workforce?—?Then Rule Like an Autocrat The bureaucracy is one of the last things standing in Donald Trump’s way President-elect Donald Trump’s greatest advantage is the fact that he is facing a public and a media that have no framework for understanding him. American politics and journalism long ago suppressed and expelled the people who were equipped to understand exactly what the fuck is going on right now.
Santa Cop Stops Are Unconstitutional Abuses of Power — And Total Bullshit – Defiant
In mid-December 2012, some harmless peace activists in Austin, Texas did the sort of harmless thing peace activists like to do?—?they wrote some peaceful, benign messages on the sidewalk in front of the state capitol building downtown. And these weren’t just any peace activists. They were led by a figure who’d probably be known as the Prince of Peace if the nickname hadn’t already been taken?—?Santa Claus.
Fighting for a $15 Minimum Wage Sometimes Means Spending the Night in Jail – Defiant
These actions did not delay travel?—?this time. The campaign focused on baggage handlers, concession workers and other service-industry elements at the airports. Fast-food workers are still at the heart of the Fight for 15 effort?—?if this lowest strata of the above-ground American workforce can get big raises and new workplace rights, it becomes harder for employers in more respected sectors of the economy to deny them to their workers. Airports were a focal point.
Local Pols We Love — Greg Casar – Defiant
Asked if he would shake Trump’s hand if he came to town as president, Casar deepened his defiance. “Hell no. Frankly, I would not be allowed into the room with Donald Trump, because I would be out in the streets protesting with you.” The day after the election, Casar made his stance unambiguous in a statement that spread far and wide in Austin’s progressive social media. “Lots of people, including Donald Trump, are calling for healing and unity today,” he wrote. “I won’t call for healing.
We Threw Military Electronics in the Trash-China Sold Them Back to Us
While many hawkish lawmakers may not want to hear it, the military brass is getting serious about environmental threats to national security. Climate change is a clear threat to global security, but so are less obvious threats from a source where you might not expect it. Recycling electronic waste—or “e-waste,” the discarded gizmos, gadgets and machinery we use in our contemporary lives — is an issue near and dear to the hearts of environmentalists and eggheads alike.
Conspiracy Theorists Terrorized Our Town
InfoWars’ worst humans invaded Texas to stage a mass shooting. We counter-protested, outnumbering them 20-to-1. Now, it turns out they didn’t believe the Sandy Hook Elementary shooting ever happened. The mock mass shooters who tried to terrorize the University of Texas at Austin were no ordinary Second Amendment advocates, it turns out.
We Threw Military Electronics in the Trash-China Sold Them Back to Us
While many hawkish lawmakers may not want to hear it, the military brass is getting serious about environmental threats to national security. Climate change is a clear threat to global security, but so are less obvious threats from a source where you might not expect it. Recycling electronic waste—or “e-waste,” the discarded gizmos, gadgets and machinery we use in our contemporary lives — is an issue near and dear to the hearts of environmentalists and eggheads alike.
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