President Trump just signed a massive, $717 billion defense bill named for Senator John McCain. But for most of the media, the controversy here wasn’t the price tag or its effects — it was that Trump refused to personally thank McCain when he signed it.
This week in OtherWords, I argue that the real scandal is the media’s lack of interest in the bill itself. As a result, the bill sailed through Congress easily, even though it will sap resources from our communities and stoke conflict abroad.
Meanwhile, Jill Richardson reports on a court’s finding that Monsanto knew its signature Roundup pesticide could be dangerous, but sold it anyway. And Dan Ritzman explains what’s at stake in the GOP’s decision to let companies explore for oil in one of our last unspoiled wildernesses.
On a happier note, Celia Bottger encourages local communities here to take inspiration from Ireland’s decision to fully divest itself from fossil fuels. And Negin Owliaei reports on how former Toys R Us employees are taking the fight to the vulture capitalists that profited from the company’s demise.
Finally, Jim Hightower reports on the consolidation of media and banking power in our country, while Khalil Bendib mocks the Trump defense team’s “unimpeachable logic.”
New This Week…
- Trump Snubbed McCain. The Media Snubbed the Rest of Us. | Peter Certo
The media treated Trump’s petty snub of John McCain as a bigger controversy than the $717 billion Pentagon bill named for the Arizona senator. - If Ireland Can Get Out of Fossil Fuels, Your Town Can Too | Celia Bottger
Almost 900 cities, universities, and governments have divested over $6 trillion from the fossil fuel industry. Why not yours? - One of Our Last Links to the Wild World Is in Danger | Dan Ritzman
Alaska’s Arctic National Wildlife Refuge is one of the world’s last intact ecosystems, but dangerous oil exploration could soon spoil it. - Toys R Us May Be Gone, But Its Workers Fight Continues | Negin Owliaei
The toy store’s former employees are fighting for a fair severance — and shaming the private equity firms who made out like bandits. - Profiting Off Poison | Jill Richardson
A court found that Monsanto knew its signature Roundup chemical could cause cancer, but sold it anyway. - The United States of Monopoly Rule | Jim Hightower
Five banks control half of all U.S. financial assets, and six conglomerates control 90 percent of our media. - Unimpeachable Logic | Khalil Bendib
There was no collusion. If there was, it’s not a crime. If it’s a crime, we can pardon ourselves. Also, there was no collusion.
In Case You Missed It…
- Want to Create Jobs? Reduce Fossil Fuel Use | Basav Sen
Energy efficiency creates more jobs than fossil fuels — and at a faster rate and lower cost. - You’ve Heard of the Gender Pay Gap, But There’s More | Jessicah Pierre
It takes the typical black woman all the way till August to earn what a white male worker got paid last year. - I Grew Up in the Segregated South. For Me, Supreme Court Rulings Are Personal. | Yolanda Parker
I fear a return to a time when our rights were considered secondary, if at all. - How to Turn Back a Giant | Negin Owliaei
Lancaster, Pennsylvania residents kept a private prison giant out of their community. It’s an inspiring example for others.
