Karma DeBella

'Time to recruit some churches': Experts blast new rules on pulpit politics The Internal Revenue Service promulgated a set of new rules on Monday that allow churches to endorse and donate to political candidates, The New York Times reported on Monday. The new rules were created at a time when religion had slowly become a staple in American politics. President Donald Trump h...

The Internal Revenue Service promulgated a set of new rules on Monday that allow churches to endorse and donate to political candidates, The New York Times reported on Monday.

Far-Right ‘Appeal to Heaven’ Flag Seen at Jan. 6 Riot Flown Above Government Agency in DC The "Appeal To Heaven" flag, a popular symbol for Christian nationalists that was waved by January 6 rioters, was raised over the Small Business Administration headquarters last week.

“That the ‘Appeal to Heaven’ flag is being flown on a government building alongside the American flag should be shocking to anyone who doesn't wish to live in a theocracy,” says Jon Lewis, a research fellow at the Program on Extremism at George Washington University.

A Philosopher Released an Acclaimed Book About Digital Manipulation. The Author Ended Up Being AI Italian essayist Andrea Colamedici tells WIRED "Hypnocracy: Trump, Musk, and the New Architecture of Reality" was a “philosophical experiment and a performance.” The book’s Chinese author does not…

“Some people have said, ‘I wish this author existed.’ Well, he doesn’t. We must understand that we build our own narratives. If we don’t, the far right will monopolize the narratives, create myths, and we will spend our lives fact-checking while they write history.”

Portland-based Mercy Corps forced to terminate more than ⅔ of federally-funded international programs Due to the abrupt halt in federal funding, Mercy Corps has cut more than 40 of its 60 programs funded by the U.S. federal government. The international nonprofit is also selling its Portland office at Southwest Naito Parkway and Southwest Ankeny Street.

Mercy Corps provides food, clean water, and other humanitarian services in war zones and places ravaged by natural disasters. The organization is currently working with the United Nations to help survivors of last month’s massive earthquake in Myanmar that killed more than 3,500 people.

Security firm pulled from Minneapolis library after altercation Members of the Indigenous community protested Black Knight Protection Agency being used for security at Franklin Library after a March 25 melee.

The security contractor whose guards were involved in an altercation at Franklin Library, which ended with a man handcuffed to a fence, are no longer working at the site.

Who will protect Canada’s sovereignty? | The Narwhal Mark Carney and Pierre Poilievre both promise swift, major expansions of mining and energy projects, but Indigenous Rights just can’t be set aside

The top candidates for the next prime minister of Canada promise to expand resource development and protect the country’s sovereignty. Will they also protect Indigenous Rights? thenarwhal.ca/newsletter-f...

Exclusive: White House wants to defund independent Social Security board, sources say The White House wants to defund a bipartisan board that advises the president and Congress on Social Security policy, two sources familiar with the matter told Reuters, as the Trump administration moves to cut costs and eliminate independent voices in government.

Exclusive: White House wants to defund independent Social Security board, sources say reut.rs/4jJmOjO

Trump authorizes U.S. military to begin occupation of federal land along southern border • Kansas Reflector President Donald Trump late Friday signed a memorandum directing several agencies to start militarizing a stretch of the southern border, an escalation of the administration’s use of the U.S. military...

Trump authorizes U.S. military to begin occupation of federal land along southern border | via @arianalfigueroa.bsky.social #ksleg

Just when I thought I couldn't be more embarrassed to be an American he did a car ad at the White House.

New Zealand Pitches Itself as Safe Haven in ‘Global Storm’ New Zealand’s prime minister pitched his country as a safe haven in an unstable world as he opened an investor summit aimed at attracting foreign capital.

New Zealand’s Prime Minister Christopher Luxon pitches his country as a safe haven in an unstable world.

Trump says he will label violence on Tesla dealerships as domestic terrorism

President Donald Trump stated on Tuesday that anyone found vandalizing Teslas or Tesla dealerships around the country would be labeled a domestic terrorists.

The parallels between Kash Patel and William J. Burns, a scandal-mongering 1920s FBI director — an FBI historian explains Some observers compare FBI Director Kash Patel to J. Edgar Hoover. A better historical match is the politically motivated William J. Burns.

Kash Patel's appointment as #FBI director draws parallels to William J. Burns, a 1920s FBI head known for targeting his political enemies. An FBI historian examines the similarities and potential implications for the bureau's independence. buff.ly/UPzfPoT
@dmcharles.bsky.social, Penn State #polisky

Don’t buy stuff on February 28. Money’s the only thing these dicks understand.
#resist

Trump abruptly fires chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff President Donald Trump abruptly fired Air Force Gen. CQ Brown as chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff on Friday, sidelining a history-making fighter pilot and respected officer as part of a campaign...

Trump abruptly fires chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff

The EPA Just Locked Its Own Employees Out of Doing Their Jobs Employees were also warned they could be fired at a moment’s notice.

More than 1,100 Environmental Protection Agency employees could be at risk of spontaneously losing their jobs, according to a Trump administration memo.

They are attacking an organization thats only mission is helping people!

Second federal judge issues temporary order blocking Trump spending freeze • Ohio Capital Journal A federal judge issued a temporary restraining order Monday, blocking the Trump administration from implementing a spending freeze on grant and loan programs that was outlined in a memo released last…

A federal judge issued a temporary restraining order Monday, blocking the Trump administration from implementing a spending freeze on grant and loan programs that was outlined in a memo released last week, but has since been rescinded.

Trump postpones big tariffs against Canada and Mexico for one month • Arkansas Advocate President Donald Trump on Monday punted for one month his plans to impose sweeping tariffs against Mexico and Canada after both countries agreed to act on his demands to curb drug trafficking and…

President Donald Trump on Monday punted for one month his plans to impose sweeping tariffs against Mexico and Canada after both countries agreed to act on his demands to curb drug trafficking and illegal immigration into the United States.

May I recommend setting up a Proton mail and not using your government work email to file a complaint. And don't do it during your tour of duty hours. Document everything. This isn't legal advice. Just advice from a friend.

Ambrose Begay died at 28 after a fentanyl overdose on the Alamo Navajo reservation in New Mexico. He and other Native Americans are dying of overdoses in increasing numbers even as deaths decline nationwide reut.rs/40Me2e9

4th Circuit To Weigh Whether NC Supreme Court Election Challenge Should Proceed in State or Federal Court Read more here.

ATTN: This is most important court hearing to watch next week. The GOP does not want this case in federal court because they know a federal judge is not likely to toss out 60,000 lawful votes. Their plan is to have the partisan NC state Supreme Court decide. www.democracydocket.com/news-alerts/...

CIA believes COVID likely originated from a lab, but agency has low confidence in its own finding WASHINGTON (AP) — The CIA now believes the virus responsible for the COVID-19 pandemic likely originated from a laboratory, according to an assessment released Saturday that points the finger at China even while acknowledging that the spy agency has “low confidence” in its own conclusion.

WASHINGTON (AP) — The CIA now believes the virus responsible for the COVID-19 pandemic likely originated from a laboratory, according to an assessment released Saturday that points the finger at China even while acknowledging that the spy agency has “low confidence” in its own conclusion.

Joe Biden Frees Leonard Peltier The ailing Native American rights activist has been in prison for nearly 50 years after the U.S. government lied to put him there.

With literally minutes left in his presidency, Joe Biden has granted clemency to Leonard Peltier

White House Budget Office Nominee Tries to Whitewash Trump’s First Term During his Senate confirmation hearing, Russell Vought downplayed Trump’s moves to strip protections from civil service employees.

During his Senate confirmation hearing, Project 2025 co-author Russell Vought downplayed Trump’s moves to strip protections from civil service employees.

U.S. House speaker pitches conditions on disaster aid, upending long-standing practice • Source New Mexico WASHINGTON — U.S. House Speaker Mike Johnson said Tuesday that Congress will likely provide billions in disaster aid to help California recover from devastating wildfires, but indicated he might set…

With fires ranging in Los Angeles, U.S. House Speaker indicates his wish to put conditions on disaster aid (of which NM has received billions).

Justice Department accuses six major landlords, including Chicago-based firm, of scheming to keep rents high The U.S. Justice Department is suing several large landlords, including Chicago-based Cushman & Wakefield, for allegedly coordinating to keep Americans’ rents high by using an algorithm to help…

The U.S. Justice Department is suing several large landlords, including a Chicago-based firm, for allegedly coordinating to keep Americans’ rents high by using both an algorithm to help set rents and privately sharing sensitive information with their competitors to boost profits.

Biden Administration Pulls The Plug On Old-Growth Forest Protection Plan The president will exit office without securing lasting safeguards for the nation’s most ancient trees, which play a key role in mitigating climate change.

www.huffpost.com/entry/biden-...

10 corporations that kept their promises after January 6, 2021 After a violent mob stormed the Capitol building on January 6, 2021, hundreds of corporations took action to communicate to the public that democracy itself was more important than maximizing their po...

And yet, almost all corporations who pledged to stop supporting the politicians who voted to undermine democracy after January 6, 2021, have resumed their contributions.

But there are a few companies that have stood by their principles.

Will Justin Trudeau’s Resignation Lead to the MAGA-fication of Canada? Pierre Poilievre might now attain the country’s highest office. “I was sickened and appalled when I first came upon his rhetoric,” the staff writer Adam Gopnik says, of the Conservative Party leader.

On a new episode of the Political Scene, Adam Gopnik joins Tyler Foggatt to discuss Justin Trudeau's resignation and the ascent of the Canadian Conservative Party leader Pierre Poilievre. Listen here.