(2021-12-31). Biden, "Build Back Basic", and Our Ongoing Struggles. anchor.fm In this episode I discuss a few things that are happening contextually here in the contemporary US empire as well as some of the things happening worldwide and how we can begin to build a class struggle. I'm not married to any of these ideas, but this is what I think at this point in time in my life. Hope you enjoy it!
(2021-12-31). Stop the reopening of New York City schools! Mobilize the working class to save lives, not profits! wsws.org If the pandemic is ever to be brought under control, the policies taken must be motivated by an entirely different set of social interests than the profit motive, which has blocked all measures to contain the virus.
(2021-12-31). Workers respond to Socialist Equality Party open letter calling for movement to end the pandemic. wsws.org Educators, pharmacy techs, nursing home and manufacturing workers responded with interest and enthusiasm to Thursday's statement from the Socialist Equality Party, "An open letter to the working class: The pandemic must be ended and lives saved in 2022!"
(2021-12-31). Scientists denounce French government's inaction amid Omicron wave. wsws.org Only a mobilization of the working class can smash the resistance of the financial aristocracy to health measures scientists are demanding to prevent a surge in deaths.
(2021-12-31). UK Employment Tribunal rules against worker who refused to return to work over COVID safety concerns. wsws.org The corporate media are using the tribunal ruling, hinging on the question of what constitutes a philosophical belief, to assert that workers have no legal right against being forced to labour in unsafe conditions.
(2021-12-31). Favorite jazz and pop music of 2021. wsws.org The global COVID-19 pandemic continues to devastate every aspect of social and cultural life. Artists and technical workers in the music industry face conditions unlike anything seen in generations, if ever.
(2021-12-31). UK health workers denounce government refusal to combat Omicron threat to National Health Service. wsws.org The only move made in response has been to announce plans to set up coronavirus "surge hubs", mostly in hospital car parks, to meet up to the challenge of a fresh wave of Omicron admissions.
(2021-12-31). Deere CEO John May brought onto Ford board of directors. wsws.org The election of May to the Ford board of directors has drawn favorable notice from business analysts due to his confrontational stance against Deere workers.
(2021-12-31). Workers Struggles: Asia and Australia. wsws.org India: New Delhi police arrest protesting doctors; Punjab university teachers continue strike action; South Korean parcel delivery workers threaten strike…
(2021-12-31). Australian unions promote slashing of COVID-19 health measures. wsws.org The unions are stepping up their efforts to stifle resistance and opposition among workers as the pandemic spirals out of control.
(2021-12-31). United Auto Workers prepares another sellout contract at Columbia University. wsws.org The ongoing struggle at Columbia has thus far, under the criminal leadership of the UAW and with support from the Democratic Party and the pseudo-left, been implementing a strategy of defeat for workers.
(2021-12-31). Workers Struggles: Europe, Middle East & Africa. wsws.org French midwives and nursing assistants' seven-day strike over pay and staff shortages; protests by Iranian workers and pensioners over low pay and pensions with inflation at 40 percent; 4,000 dairy workers at Clover Foods in sixth week of indefinite strike over pay, conditions and job losses across South Africa…
(2021-12-31). An open letter to all workers: The pandemic must be ended and lives saved in 2022! wsws.org As we approach the end of the year, workers in the UK and throughout the world must decide to act collectively and finally put an end to the COVID-19 pandemic. 2022 must not be another nightmarish year of mass infections, illness and death!
(2021-12-31). December tornadoes cut swath of devastation through southeastern Missouri. wsws.org Ninety people have been confirmed killed by the storms across eight states, including eight workers at Mayfield Consumer Products in Mayfield, Kentucky and six Amazon workers at an Edwardsville, Illinois fulfillment center outside St. Louis.
(2021-12-31). CUPE's sabotage of the New Brunswick public sector strike—the political lessons. wsws.org The New Brunswick public sector workers' strike exemplifies the political issues and organizational challenges all workers face in opposing the capitalist ruling elite's demands for austerity and its homicidal drive to keep schools and non-essential business open amid the pandemic.
(2021-12-31). 63rd Anniversary of the Cuban Revolution: Socialism is superior to capitalism! fightbacknews.org For over six decades the Cuban people created a system that provides free universal health care, free public education from kindergarten through university, and housing to people at around 10% of their income. That system is socialism. Despite six decades of U.S. invasion attempts, blockades, embargos, assassination attempts, sanctions and demonization, the achievement record of the socialist mode of production in Cuba speaks for itself. As Mao said, "The fundamental cause of the development of a thing is not external but internal." So, we must look at what has been happening inside Cuba to account of the success…
(2021-12-31). Looking forward to a new year of struggle in 2022: Join FRSO. fightbacknews.org As 2021 concludes and we look forward to a new year, it makes sense to survey the political landscape and discuss what's to be done. | Monopoly capitalism is a failed system. We need a revolutionary solution to our problems. And to achieve that goal, revolutionary organization is a requirement. Freedom Road Socialist Organization has the aim of overthrowing capitalism and replacing it with socialism. If that is what you want, it is time to join our ranks. | FRSO does not just talk about change. We are active in our unions, community organizations, anti-war, student, and many other groups. Our members are African…
(2021-12-31). In Remembrance of Chuck Kaufman, Anti-Imperialist, International Solidarity Organizer. orinocotribune.com Tucson, AZ — It is with heavy heart that the news of the passing of longtime anti-imperialist organizer Chuck Kaufman reached communities on December 28. Born in a small Indiana town, Chuck's life saw travels to numerous countries, most notably in the Latin American countries most firmly in the crosshairs of U.S. imperialism. | In 1987, as Reagan's illegal Contra War against Nicaragua ravaged the country in an attempt to kill the successful Sandinista Revolution, Chuck answered the call for solidarity. He gave up his advertising business and joined thousands of other U.S. solidarity activists to help in the…
(2021-12-31). Preface to Halil àáelik: A Fighter for Socialism. wsws.org This is the preface to a volume of writings of Halil Celik published by the Sosyalist E≈üitlik Grubu of Turkey, three years after Comrade Halil's untimely death of cancer.
(2021-12-31). The historic assault on university education and Australia's anti-democratic electoral laws. wsws.org The deep hostility among university staff and students is part of the rising political discontent that drove the Liberal-National and Labor parties to rush through new electoral laws in August.
(2021-12-31). New Zealand government removes more public health restrictions despite Omicron cases. wsws.org The Labour Party-led government has removed limits on gathering sizes in Auckland, creating the conditions for New Year's Eve to be a mass super-spreader event.
(2021-12-30). Occupy Biden Activists Will Rally On January 1. popularresistance.org This week, environmental advocates addressed intensifying fossil fuel pollution, climate injustices, and the Biden administration's failure to take the lead on climate crisis solutions during the Occupy Biden protests near Joe Biden's Wilmington, DE home. Their goal remains to increase the pressure on the President to declare a climate emergency and end new fossil fuel projects. The actions are being led by local community leaders and supported by dozens of environmental and social justice groups from around the country, and have resulted in hundreds of people taking action. The Occupy Biden actions began on Chri…
(2021-12-30). Noam Chomsky on Rising Fascism in U.S., Class Warfare & the Climate Emergency. democracynow.org 
Noam Chomsky warns the Republican Party is "marching" the world to destruction by ignoring the climate emergency while embracing proto-fascism at home. Chomsky talks about the January 6 insurrection, how neoliberalism is a form of class warfare and how President Biden's climate plans fall short of what is needed.
(2021-12-30). FBI is Recklessly Misusing Trump-Era Espionage Policy to Create "Climate of Fear" Among Scientists—Terrorizing Families and Ruthlessly Destroying Careers. libya360.wordpress.com Jeremy Kuzmarov [Source: justice.gov] The Justice Department's China Initiative Was Established by the Trump Administration to Crackdown on Chinese Economic and Scientific Espionage.However, its primary targets have been academics prosecuted for failing to properly disclose their connection to Chinese universities on grant forms and it has led to numerous miscarriages of justice On the Tuesday…
(2021-12-30). Afghan Victim of US Airstrikes Demands Justice For His Beloveds. telesurenglish.net "The bodies of men, women and children were lying in blood and the crying of the injured was heard from every corner of the house," said 73-year-old Afghan man Din Mohammad. | RELATED: | Mohammad is recalling the terrible night 10 years ago when the U.S. military launched airstrikes on his hometown of Lakani in Panjwayi district of south Afghanistan's Kandahar province, killing 63 villagers and injuring scores othe…
(2021-12-30). Drone Warfare: The World Needs To End US Impunity. popularresistance.org A report by The New York Times (NYT) earlier this month revealed that at least 1,400 innocent civilians were killed in numerous airstrikes, mostly drones strikes, carried out by the US forces since 2014 in Afghanistan and some countries in West Asia. The civilian toll of the US drone strikes has already been widely reported, with several other sources such as Airwars citing a larger number of civilian casualties. The NYT report also revealed the extent of the failure of the international community to ensure accountability and justice for the victims of these war crimes. | The impunity enjoyed by the US is a key f…
(2021-12-30). An open letter to the working class: The pandemic must be ended and lives saved in 2022! wsws.org As we approach the end of the year, workers in the United States and throughout the world must decide to act collectively and finally put an end to the COVID-19 pandemic.
(2021-12-30). Daily COVID-19 infections near 1 million as Omicron wave engulfs Europe. wsws.org Without a mass mobilization of the working class to impose a scientific health policy, Europe faces a collapse of hospitals and horrific levels of death.
(2021-12-30). Biden's new COVID rules protect profits, endanger workers. liberationnews.org 
'Nurses hare not going to stand by while the government and our employers weaken protections. We are not going backward now."
(2021-12-30). Microworkers "Disempowered to a Degree Previously Unseen in Capitalist History" zcomm.org "Microworkers" are the anonymous digital contract workers whose labor powers the tech giants' artificial intelligence systems…
(2021-12-30). Best of 2021: The sobering truth about quitting my job: I was addicted to high-stress nonprofit work. salon.com When I resigned without a backup plan, I didn't realize 4 million workers had just done the same. I can see why now…
(2021-12-30). Michigan governor signs bill to keep K-12 classes open by using non-teaching staff as substitutes. wsws.org The proposal to use school bus drivers, secretaries and cafeteria workers as substitute teachers explodes Governor Whitmer's pretenses over being concerned about the academic needs of children.
(2021-12-30). Sanders Pushes Workers to Organize as Advocates Celebrate "Year of the Worker" truthout.org 
As labor advocates hail 2021 as the " On Wednesday, Sanders issued a warning to corporations and executives on Twitter. "For the ruling class, greed is a religion. They will cut back on workers' wages, on workers' benefits, on workers' safety on the job — all for t…
(2021-12-30). It's Awfully Convenient for Shippers that Longshore Workers Get Blamed for Delays. zcomm.org "The waterfront attracts people from every walk of the life you could imagine." And the union brings them together, people you'd never see call each other 'sister' and 'brother' anywhere else."
(2021-12-30). Morenoite Izquierda Diario criticizes lockdowns as COVID-19 surges in Spain. wsws.org The petty-bourgeois Morenoite organisation, affiliated to Argentina's Socialist Workers Party (PTS), is politically implicated in policies that have led to mass death.
(2021-12-30). Warren Slams Grocers for Raising Prices While Raking In Profits. zcomm.org As the company hailed its grocery workers as "heroes," it cut hazard pay early in the pandemic while pursuing over $1 billion in stock buybacks in 2020…
(2021-12-30). Biden administration withdraws federal COVID-19 safety standards for health care workers. wsws.org The Occupational Safety and Health Administration announced the expiration of its Emergency Temporary Standards, even as frontline health care workers risk their lives in overwhelmed hospitals and long-term care facilities.
(2021-12-30). Outrage grows as Australia's "National Cabinet" scraps basic protections against mass COVID infections. wsws.org Far from taking steps to avert the disaster, the government leaders moved to further slash testing, tracing and isolation measures, in particular to ensure that workers are kept on the job, even if infected.
(2021-12-30). The Red Flag will Rise Again: 30 Years Since the Dissolution of the Soviet Union. orinocotribune.com 
By Nikos Mottas — Dec 26, 2021 | It was thirty years ago, on December 26, 1991, when the red flag with the sickle and hammer was lowered from the Kremlin. | It was then, during the cold days of December, when the first socialist state of the world, the homeland of the world's proletariat, bent under the weight of the counterrevolution. Four days before, on December 22nd, the leaderships of three of the largest Soviet republics had decided the dissolution of the
(2021-12-30). *BONUS* Comments and questions about waging a revolutionary struggle here in the US Empire. anchor.fm In this episode I read one of my recent blogs and discuss some of my further ideas about the struggle towards building a revolution here within the belly of the beast. Can it be done? I think yes, but we have to figure out how. The best way to figure out is by waging that struggle today. Go organize! (Blog found at forliberation.wixsite.com/website )…
(2021-12-30). In Remembrance Of Chuck Kaufman. popularresistance.org Tucson, AZ – It is with heavy heart that the news of the passing of longtime anti-imperialist organizer Chuck Kaufman reached communities on December 28. Born in a small Indiana town, Chuck's life saw travels to numerous countries, most notably in the Latin American countries most firmly in the crosshairs of U.S. imperialism. | In 1987, as Reagan's illegal Contra War against Nicaragua ravaged the country in an attempt to kill the successful Sandinista Revolution, Chuck answered the call for solidarity. He gave up his advertising business and joined thousands of other U.S. solidarity activists to help in the coffe…
(2021-12-30). Sudanese women are back on the frontlines of resistance. zcomm.org As October's military coup in Sudan threatens to roll back the gains made in the 2019 revolution, women are fighting once again the authoritarian regime, remaining one of the core revolutionary forces on the ground…
(2021-12-30). Cuba Remembers Revolutionary Heroine Haydee Santamaria. telesurenglish.net On Dec. 30, Cubans celebrate the birthday of Haydee Santamaria, a woman whose life was marked by episodes of intense revolutionary struggle. Among them is her participation in the assault on the Moncada Barracks, a milestone in the revolutionary war. | RELATED: | Santamaria was born in 1922 in Las Villas province, where she got involved with social causes from her early youth. Besides being editor of the undergrou…
(2021-12-30). Bacon, coffee and pasta pie: A look back at your favorite Quick & Dirty recipes of 2021. salon.com The most popular recipes reflected our collective love of chocolate and potatoes…
(2021-12-30). Historic unity and resistance in Palestine amid increased attacks and oppression. peoplesdispatch.org Resistance in Palestine acquired new dimensions this year amid the pandemic and unprecedented Israeli offensives in Gaza, forced displacements and increased numbers of settler attacks. The escape of six prisoners, defiance at Sheikh Jarrah and East Jerusalem, a successful national strike across historic Palestine were moments of hope.
(2021-12-30). Venezuela Mourns Death of US Activist Chuck Kaufman. orinocotribune.com This Wednesday, December 29, the Minister for Foreign Affairs of Venezuela, Félix Plasencia, mourned the death of US activist and organizer Chuck Kaufman, who consistently supported social movements in Latin American countries. Kaufman's involvement in solidarity actions spanned several decades, first focused on Central America and Nicaragua, and later expanded to include activism for Cuba, Haiti, Colombia, Venezuela, Honduras, and many other Latin American countries. | "We express our deepest sadness at the tragic passing of Chuck Kaufman," wrote Plasencia through his Twitter account, "a US activist, defender of…
(2021-12-30). Iran Is Spearheading A Geopolitical Sea Change In West Asia. popularresistance.org Benjamin Franklin once famously wrote to his fellow colonials: "Either we hang together or we hang separately." | Those words are just as true today as they were 270 years ago, for empires have always controlled by dividing their victims into regional tribal interests in order to be better conquered. | While techniques have adapted to modern times, the essential ingredients for the science of discord remain relatively unchanged: keep resources scarce, fear and ignorance high, and let a targeted population clash over diminishing returns of scarcity. | Amid this division, myopic ethnic, religious, and linguistic pr…
(2021-12-30). Colonialism: a cancer on the planet. mronline.org This highly unusual book highlights a forgotten journalist and thinker, but just as much, the assiduous research and interpretations by Tony Pecinovsky, a St. Louis activist and non-academic scholar, on the history of the U.S. Left. W.A. Hunton, to quote W.E.B. Du Bois, was "the kind of absolutely honest and unselfish scholar who is apt …
(2021-12-30). A red under every bed? Canada, racial profiling, and the Five Eyes. mronline.org 
Amid the wreckage of wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, the United States and its allies have turned their sights on China. University of Victoria professor emeritus and historian John Price examines the rise of the coalition of Anglo settler colonial states of Canada, the United Kingdom, the U.S., Australia, and New Zealand, and how they are today fomenting conflict in the Asia Pacific.
(2021-12-30). CO2 Emissions Per Capita in Europe. strategic-culture.org 
This infographic shows per capita CO2 emissions in Europe. Trends in emissions per capita depend on a number of factors, including the introduction of cleaner technologies, the level of industrial development and, of course, the demography. | (Click on the image to enlarge)…