Monthly Archives: October 2018

Hillary Clinton recently indicated that she might not rule out running for president again. But that would be a massive disaster. Because if the Democratic Party fails to realize that ‘brand Clinton’ is toxic, it will only doom itself to repeat the humiliating defeat of 2016.

“I’d like to be president”

On 26 October, Kara Swisher of Recode magazine asked Clinton during an interview whether she wished to run for the presidency again. She hesitated before answering “no”. But after Swisher pressed her on the matter, and commented on the hesitation, Clinton appeared to concede that she was not ruling it out. And she said, “well, I’d like to be president.”

Continue reading

News of a series of mail bombs sent to critics of US President Donald Trump has been dominating the US’s headlines this week. Certainly, Trump can’t be held directly responsible for the actions of all of his supporters. But nonetheless, he laid the conditions in which violence against political opponents could arise.

10 bombs to eight different targets

Between 22 October and 26 October, a total of 13 mail bombs were sent to 11 of Trump’s most high-profile critics. Targets included former president Barack Obama, former secretary of state Hilary Clinton, billionaire philanthropist George Soros, and actor Robert De Niro.

Continue reading

A little-publicized anti-imperialism mobilization just took place near the US capital. Billed as a continuation of the Women’s March, which saw millions protest the election of Donald Trump to the presidency, this time the focus was on US wars and military bases around the world. But it seems like neither of the major US political parties is paying much attention.

Marching for Peace

On 21 October, protesters took part in the Women’s March on the Pentagon (WMOP). The Canary understands that hundreds of people were in attendance. The main event took place at the US Department of Defense headquarters – the Pentagon.

Continue reading

Former US president Barack Obama has again won himself plaudits for denouncing the words and actions of his successor. As always, he spoke as if his own presidency was some kind of success story. But in reality, the rise of Trumpism is in large part a result of Obama’s own failures in office.

Laudable sentiments, but…

On 22 October, Obama gave a speech in Las Vegas. There was a recurrent theme throughout – a warning of the dangers to democracy that the US currently faces. Though he didn’t mention President Donald Trump by name, it was obvious whom he was referring to. He said:

Continue reading

An obscure Republican Party candidate for the state legislature of Nevada died last week at the age of 72. The death would not normally have attracted much attention. But given the unusual features of his life, his support from the evangelical wing of a party known for its religiosity and social conservativism provides an illuminating case study into the deep cynicism, hypocrisy and venality of those who make up Trump’s base.

No ordinary politician…

Dennis Hof, who dubbed himself the “Trump from Pahrump” (after the small Nevada town he lived in), was no ordinary politician. Whereas the stereotype of the typical Republican Party candidate is that of a Christian pastor like Mike Huckabee or corporate bigwig like Mitt Romney, Hof made his living as an owner and operator of businesses catering to lust – one of the Seven Deadly Sins of Christianity. And he didn’t go about hiding this fact either. His strip club and five legal brothels featured in US TV documentary series Cathouse.

Continue reading

Donald Trump’s fascist tendencies have been obvious from the day he began his campaign for the White House. Of particular concern to commentators across the political spectrum has been his open and aggressive contempt for the press. And now, in a move reminiscent of 20th-century fascists, he has openly endorsed violence against a journalist.

“My kind of guy”

On 18 October, Trump heaped praise on a congressman from Montana who assaulted a journalist last year. Speaking at a rally in state’s capital, Missoula, Trump described Greg Gianforte, who represents the state in the US Congress, as a “great guy” and “tough cookie”. He said:

Continue reading

Donald Trump just released a ridiculous scaremongering video about Democrats’ plans to propose universal healthcare coverage in Congress. But there are many startling facts about the current US system that seem to have escaped him.

The worst thing ever?

On 16 October, the White House tweeted:

Continue reading

The US has long been the undisputed worst country in the world in terms of brazen partisanship to the Israeli hard-right. But now, having also been a long-time offender, Australia is looking to decisively cross the finish line in second place.

Another embassy in Jerusalem?

On 16 October, Australian prime minister Scott Morrison announced that he is considering moving the country’s embassy in Israel from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem. Morrison, who replacedMalcolm Turnbull in August, said that no decision has yet been made but that he will be consulting on the matter with his cabinet and other governments around the world.

Continue reading

The US stock market has had a bad week. And it might be the beginnings of something bigger. Because according to some experts, another financial crash may well be on its way soon.

Steepest drop in eight months

On 10 October, US stocks experienced “their steepest drop in eight months”. The Standard & Poor 500-stock index registered its longest string of consecutive losses since November 2016.

Continue reading

US Senator Bernie Sanders has been in the news lately for his role in getting a ‘pay increase‘ for Amazon workers. But his new proposal takes aim at Wall Street bootlicking in Washington, and it would have far-reaching effects on both the US and global economy.

Ending Wall Street’s “free insurance policy” to prevent “catastrophic risk to millions”

On 4 October, Sanders introduced legislation to the US Congress that would break up the country’s largest financial institutions. The proposed law would prohibit them from “holding assets, derivatives and other forms of borrowing worth more than 3 percent of the entire U.S. economy”. Today, that would mean a cap of around $584bn.

Continue reading