President Trump took a rocky trip to Europe this week — first calling longtime European allies “foes” and then openly contradicting U.S. intelligence on Russia while seated next to Vladimir Putin (something Khalil Bendib illustrates rather colorfully in his cartoon this week).
What could explain this behavior? Some say Putin must have some dirt on Trump. Maybe, writes John Feffer this week. But more likely — and more troublingly — Trump simply thinks a lot like Putin when it comes to democracy and international cooperation.
Meanwhile, thousands of immigrant families remain separated by one mechanism or another. This week in OtherWords, Jim Hightower reports on the travesty of toddlers appearing alone in immigration court. And Chia-Chia Wang explains why local police departments shouldn’t cooperate with ICE while all this is going on.
Also this week, Jill Richardson explains that food stamps may soon stop working at farmers markets. That’s bad, she says. But even worse are the bigger issues around the intersection of poverty and our food system.
Finally, Basav Sen explains the hypocrisy behind U.S. Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh’s lousy environmental record. Justin Anderson details billionaire media darling Elon Musk’s growing feud with the media. And Josh Hoxie tries to explain the unfathomable amount of money missing from our public coffers thanks to tax cuts for rich people going back three administrations.
New This Week…
- What’s Behind Trump’s Attacks on Europe? | John Feffer
Maybe Putin has some dirt on Trump. But the real problem is Trump thinks like Putin. - Local Police Shouldn’t Cooperate With ICE | Chia-Chia Wang
Until the federal government stops its relentless persecution of immigrants, it’s up to us to provide refuge in whatever ways we can. - Soon You Can’t Use Food Stamps at Farmers Markets — But That’s Not Half of It | Jill Richardson
The diets of food stamp recipients lie at the intersection of two issues: our food system and economic inequality. - Brett Kavanaugh Would Be a Disaster for the Climate | Basav Sen
When a literal reading of the law makes it harder to regulate corporations, judges like Kavanaugh stick to a literal reading. When it doesn’t, they get creative. - Toddlers on Trial | Jim Hightower
Kids as young as 1 year old are being forced to stand trial alone in Trump’s immigration courts, often without even attorneys. - Our Missing $10 Trillion | Josh Hoxie
Tax cuts from the Bush, Obama, and Trump years have left a massive gap in the public coffers. This hurts everyone. - Elon Musk vs. the Media | Justin Anderson
After an investigation into labor conditions at Tesla, the eccentric billionaire announced a new website to smear reporters. - He Came Bearing Gifts | Khalil Bendib
Fresh off a tense NATO summit, Trump sure knows the way to Putin’s heart.
In Case You Missed It…
- What’s at Stake if Brett Kavanaugh Joins the Supreme Court | Olivia Alperstein
If Americans lose the right to privacy enshrined in Roe, they’ll lose a lot more than abortion access. - How to Level the Playing Field for Workers — Even With Unions Hurting | Bob Lord
A federal jobs and income guarantee could protect workers the way unions once did. - Why They Still Come | Mitchell Zimmerman
The U.S. created conditions in Central America that families are desperate to flee — even if they risk being separated. - I Got Arrested This Summer (And You Should, Too) | Saurav Sarkar
With 43 percent of Americans in or near poverty, most of us know there’s something deeply wrong with our democracy. Will we stand up for it?
