The Military-Industrial-Congressional Complex Study Guide, by Christian Sorensen

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by Christian Sorensen
Writer, Dandelion Salad
January 21, 2021

INTRODUCTION

Capitalism—the system by which a relatively tiny group owns the means of production and enriches themselves through hoarding the workers’ surplus value, transforming the natural world into goods and services—is inherently destructive, exploitative, and polluting. Capital is concentrated in very few hands. The richest one percent own half of the world’s wealth (Frank, CNBC, 14 Nov 2017), and the three wealthiest humans in the United States own more wealth than the bottom fifty percent of the population of the country (Kirsch, Forbes, 9 Nov 2017). This trend of the rich getting richer only accelerated during the COVID-19 pandemic. Billionaire wealth skyrocketed while the masses suffered.

The End of the American Brand, by Kenn Orphan

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by Kenn Orphan
Writer, Dandelion Salad
Halifax, Nova Scotia
January 20, 2021

After far right fascists and supremacists stormed the Capitol this month, it is little wonder that the American Empire would ramp up the security state. It is on steroids now, with more troops in DC than there are in Iraq. But whatever one might think of the necessity of increased security at the Inauguration tomorrow, it should seem pretty clear by now that, although democracy never really existed in any true form in the US republic, the very pretense of it is now officially dead.

Danny Haiphong, Margaret Kimberley and Ajamu Baraka: Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and the American Empire

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Dandelion Salad

with Danny Haiphong and Margaret Kimberley

Black Agenda Report Presents: The Left Lens on Jan 18, 2021

Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s birthday is often celebrated without any regard for his radical political legacy.

Martin Luther King, Jr.: The Three Evils of Society: Racism, Militarism and Capitalism

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Dandelion Salad
Previously published Jan. 17, 2016

“What they truly advocate is Socialism for the rich and Capitalism for the poor.” — Martin Luther King, Jr., Address Delivered at the National Conference on New Politics, August 31, 1967

The Radicalization of Martin Luther King, Jr. + Dr. Martin Luther King: Where Do We Go From Here?

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Dandelion Salad

Originally posted on Jan. 20, 2013

“One day we must ask the question, “Why are there forty million poor people in America?” And when you begin to ask that question, you’re raising a question about the economic system, about a broader distribution of wealth. When you ask that question, you begin to question the capitalistic economy.” — “Where Do We Go From Here?” Martin Luther King, Jr., Aug. 16, 1967

Chris Hedges: Biden Admin-Redux: Deep State, Empire and Censorship

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Dandelion Salad

with Chris Hedges

RT America on Jan 16, 2021

On this show this week, Chris Hedges talks to Pulitzer prize-winning journalist Glenn Greenwald about the incoming Biden administration and what it will mean for a country in crisis, ravaged by a pandemic it cannot control, hostage to corporate power and bifurcated into warring factions.

Global Vaccine Apartheid, by Yanis Iqbal

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by Yanis Iqbal
Writer, Dandelion Salad
Aligarh, India
January 13, 2021

Secretary-General of the United Nations (UN) António Guterres tweeted on January 3: “Vaccine nationalism is not only unfair, it is self-defeating. No country will be safe … until all countries are safe.”

Exploiting the Chaos to Impose More Surveillance and Censorship, by Rainer Shea

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by Rainer Shea
Writer, Dandelion Salad
Rainer Shea: Anti-Imperialist Journalist
January 12, 2021

Welcome to the latest stage in the process of reaction that’s occurring within the U.S. ruling class amid Washington’s imperial decline. This is the stage where after Trump’s personality cult has escalated a petty political dispute into violence, the liberal technocrats who will soon have control over the White House are escalating their war against dissent.

Things That Keep Me Up At Night, January 2021 Edition, by Kenn Orphan

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by Kenn Orphan
Writer, Dandelion Salad
Halifax, Nova Scotia
January 8, 2021

“There are two problems for our species’ survival—nuclear war and environmental catastrophe.” — Noam Chomsky

“We should indeed be worried,” — Kingston Reif, a nuclear expert with the Arms Control Association in Washington, D.C., regarding Donald Trump and the nuclear codes.

Kevin Gosztola: Judge Denies Bail for Julian Assange + Kristinn Hrafnsson: Sending Assange Back to Belmarsh is Inhumane

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Dandelion Salad

Updated: Jan. 7, 2021

British Judge Keeps Julian Assange In Prison, Despite Her Own Decision Against Extradition

Shadowproof on Jan 6, 2021

Shadowproof managing editor Kevin Gosztola reports on the British district judge’s decision to deny bail to WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange, even after ruling against the US government’s extradition request two days ago.

Chris Hedges: It’s Actually A Fairly Ominous Ruling + Kevin Gosztola and John Kiriakou: The Assange Extradition Decision

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Dandelion Salad

with Chris Hedges

RT America on Jan 4, 2021

A London court has ruled against those seeking Wikileaks founder Julian Assange’s extradition to the US. Assange is charged with 17 counts of espionage as well as hacking. “On Contact” host Chris Hedges, who witnessed part of Assange’s trial, joins Rick Sanchez to weigh in.

Kevin Gosztola: Julian Assange Defeated the US Government’s Extradition Request + Craig Murray: Hopeful Assange Can Be With Us Soon

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Dandelion Salad

Julian Assange Extradition Decision: Shadowproof’s Kevin Gosztola Reports

Shadowproof on Jan 4, 2021

Shadowproof managing editor Kevin Gosztola provides an initial reaction to British court denying the US government’s extradition request against WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange.

Covid-19 as a Weapon in Colonial Genocide, by Rainer Shea

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by Rainer Shea
Writer, Dandelion Salad
Rainer Shea: Anti-Imperialist Journalist, Jan. 2, 2021
January 3, 2021

This pandemic is being used as a tool in the U.S. settler-colonial empire’s battle against the colonized populations. This weaponization of the outbreak is coming at the same time when rapidly increasing global inequality is heightening capitalism’s contradictions, and when the oppressed nationalities that for so long have lived under the boot of U.S. capitalism are in turn intensifying their fights for liberation.

Top 10 Questions for Avril Haines, Neera Tanden and Antony Blinken, by David Swanson

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by David Swanson
Writer, Dandelion Salad
Let’s Try Democracy, Dec. 30, 2020
January 2, 2021

Before Avril Haines can become Director of National Intelligence, Senators must approve. And before that, they must ask questions. Here are some suggestions for what they should ask.

Dismantling the Settler Colonial State of Israel, by Yanis Iqbal

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by Yanis Iqbal
Writer, Dandelion Salad
Aligarh, India
January 1, 2021

On 25 December, 2020, Israel bombed Gaza for six continuous hours as much of the world celebrated Christmas. A children’s hospital, a rehabilitation center for people with disabilities, a mosque, as well as private residences, were damaged. A six-year-old girl and a young man were injured, and much of the targeted region lost water and electricity. A fire broke out at the location of the airstrike as the firefighters worked all night to douse the fire in the Israeli assault that took place an hour after midnight.