Three prominent CNN journalists resigned on June 26 after CNN was forced to retract and apologize for a story linking a Trump ally to a Russian investment fund under congressional investigation. The CNN story had been based on a single anonymous source. An internal investigation by CNN management found that some standard editorial processes were not followed when the article was published. [1] Buzzfeed reported that CNN has now imposed strict new publishing restrictions for online articles involving Russia. [2] But as Glenn Greenwald noted at The Intercept, the problem is not limited to CNN: "CNN is hardly alone when it comes to embarrassing retractions regarding Russia. Over and over, major U.S. media outlets have published claims about the Russia Threat that turned out to be completely false - always in the direction of exaggerating the threat and/or inventing incriminating links between Moscow and the Trump circle. In virtually all cases, those stories involved evidence-free assertions from anonymous sources that these media outlets uncritically treated as fact, only for it to be revealed that they were entirely false. Several of the most humiliating of these episodes have come from the Washington Post... In sum, anything is fair game when it comes to circulating accusations about official U.S. adversaries, no matter how baseless, and Russia currently occupies that role. (More generally: The less standing and power one has in official Washington, the more acceptable it is in U.S. media circles to publish false claims about them, as this [3] recent, shockingly falsehood-ridden New York Times article about RT host Lee Camp illustrates; it, too, now contains multiple corrections.)" [4] Urge the Washington Post and the New York Times to review the standards of their Russia coverage by signing our petition. References: 1. http://money.cnn.com/2017/06/26/media/cnn-announcement-retracted-article/index.html 2. https://www.buzzfeed.com/passantino/cnn-russia-coverage-publishing-restrictions 3. http://www.nakedcapitalism.com/2017/06/lee-camp-write-propaganda-ny-times-demonstrated-article.html 4. https://theintercept.com/2017/06/27/cnn-journalists-resign-latest-example-of-media-recklessness-on-the-russia-threat/

The Trump Administration has escalated U.S. military attacks against forces associated with the Syrian government - without Congressional authorization. Under the Constitution, such military actions should not happen if they have not been authorized by Congress. The U.S. military engaged in strikes against pro-government forces on May 18, June 6, and June 8, and shot down armed Iranian-made drones in Southern Syria on June 8 and June 20. On June 18 a U.S. fighter aircraft shot down a Syrian SU-22 bomber, marking the first time the U.S. has downed a manned Syrian aircraft in the course of the Syrian conflict. On June 26, the White House released a statement threatening further military action against the Syrian government. [1] The key to preventing U.S. military escalation in Syria is getting Members of Congress to speak up in writing against it. In 2013, U.S. military escalation in Syria was prevented because Members of Congress signed letters insisting that President Obama come to Congress for authorization before taking military action. [2] Congressional Progressive Caucus Vice Chair Rep. David Cicilline [D-RI] is circulating a letter to President Trump insisting that he stop escalating in Syria without Congressional authorization. Urge your Representative to join the Cicilline letter by signing our petition. References: 1. https://petitions.moveon.org/sign/assert-war-powers-to?r_by=1135580 2. https://www.dailykos.com/story/2013/8/29/1234850/-162-Reps-Including-64-Democrats-Call-for-Debate-Vote-Before-War-With-Syria

Late on Monday, June 26, the White House threatened military escalation against the Syrian government. US defense officials reached by BuzzFeed News said they were unaware the White House was planning to release its statement. [1] Military officials were caught off guard by the White House statement, the New York Times reported. [2] As Katrina vanden Heuvel wrote at the Washington Post, "While Washington is fixated on President Trump’s tweets, antics, lies and Russiagate, the administration is ramping up a stealth escalation of our military involvement across the Middle East." [3] Congress has never authorized the use of military force against the Syrian government, just as it has never authorized U.S. participation in Saudi Arabia's war in Yemen. [4] Under the Constitution and the War Powers Resolution, Congress, not the President, decides if the U.S. should use military force against the Syrian government, so long as the Syrian government has not attacked the United States. Attacking Syria without Congressional authorization is an impeachable offense. [5] Some Members of Congress are speaking up. Congressional Progressive Caucus co-chair Mark Pocan said, "Trump must get Congress's approval before plunging us into unauthorized war with Syria. The Constitution demands it." [6] Rep. Barbara Lee said, "Congress hasn’t authorized Pres Trump to take action in Syria. A statement released by the WH in the dead of night doesn’t change that fact." [7] Rep. Ted Lieu said, "Assad is horrific. But Congress has never authorized @realDonaldTrump to use force against him or Syria, a country that has not attacked US." [8] Rep. Michael Capuano said, "the President must observe the Constitution and seek Congressional approval before he takes any further military action in Syria." [9] Rep. Pramila Jayapal said, "If Trump truly believes there is an urgent case for waging war in Syria, he must seek authorization from Congress." [10] Urge your representatives in Congress to join these Members in asserting Congress' Constitutional war powers to challenge Trump's unconstitutional military escalations by signing our petition. References: 1. https://www.buzzfeed.com/claudiakoerner/white-house-says-syria-may-be-preparing-another-chemical 2. https://www.nytimes.com/2017/06/26/us/politics/syria-will-pay-a-heavy-price-for-another-chemical-attack-trump-says.html 3. https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/trumps-chaos-is-covering-for-stealth-escalation-overseas/2017/06/27/30bab1f0-5a9d-11e7-a9f6-7c3296387341_story.html 4. https://petitions.moveon.org/sign/house-back-un-call-for?r_by=1135580 5. http://www.npr.org/2017/05/17/528743744/the-president-the-comey-memo-and-the-elephant-in-the-room-impeachment 6. https://twitter.com/repmarkpocan/status/879727854312968192 7. https://twitter.com/RepBarbaraLee/status/879724659213824001 8. https://twitter.com/tedlieu/status/879527084758093826 9. https://www.facebook.com/RepMichaelCapuano/posts/1340254579362321 10. https://twitter.com/RepJayapal/status/879683252100841472

On June 16, President Trump is expected to announce a rollback of some policies adopted by President Obama to increase U.S. engagement with Cuba. However, even some of Trump's advisers who want to escalate confrontation with Cuba say they are worried that Trump might change his mind at the last minute. [1] Polls show the majority of Americans support greater engagement with Cuba. A Florida International University poll showed that the majority of Cuban Americans in Miami also favor greater engagement with Cuba. [2] Urge President Trump and Congress to oppose any new restrictions on the right of Americans to travel to Cuba by signing our petition. References: 1. http://www.mcclatchydc.com/news/politics-government/white-house/article155961849.html 2. http://www.miamiherald.com/news/politics-government/election/article101749052.html

On June 13, 2017, the Senate narrowly failed to vote against Trump's Saudi arms deal, reflecting "mounting concern over the Saudi-led campaign in Yemen’s war," according to the New York Times. "Nearly half of the U.S. Senate sent an overwhelmingly clear message to Riyadh that ... it needs to stop killing civilians in Yemen," Human Rights Watch said. [1] The vote was 47-53, with 43 Democrats and 4 Republicans voting against Saudi Arabia and 48 Republicans and five Democrats voting in favor of Saudi Arabia. The Republicans voting against Saudi Arabia's imposition of famine in Yemen were Heller (R-NV), Lee (R-UT), Paul (R-KY), and Young (R-IN). The Democrats voting in favor of Saudi Arabia's imposition of famine in Yemen were Donnelly (D-IN), Manchin (D-WV), McCaskill (D-MO), Nelson (D-FL), and Warner (D-VA). Special criticism goes to Florida Senator Marco Rubio, who, while Republican, pretends to care about human rights. Yet Rubio voted to support Saudi Arabia's imposition of famine in Yemen. [2] Special praise goes to Vermont Senator Bernie Sanders, who excoriated Saudi Arabia's export of extremist ideology in a strong speech on the Senate floor. [3] "Praise and protest" your Senators by signing and sharing our petition. Then call your Senators at 1-855-68-NO-WAR [1-855-686-6927]. If they voted against Saudi Arabia, say: "I thank the Senator for voting against Saudi Arabia's imposition of famine in Yemen." If they voted in favor of Saudi Arabia, you can say : "I'm very disappointed with the Senator for voting to support Saudi Arabia's imposition of famine in Yemen." When you've made your calls, report them here. [4] References: 1. https://www.nytimes.com/2017/06/13/world/middleeast/trump-weapons-saudi-arabia.html 2. https://www.senate.gov/legislative/LIS/roll_call_lists/roll_call_vote_cfm.cfm?congress=115&session=1&vote=00143 3. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YqbebpDHCnE 4. http://www.justforeignpolicy.org/act/call-in-praise-protest-senate-saudi-famine

Stop injection Acid to stray Dogs in IRAN

Senators Rand Paul, Chris Murphy, and Al Franken have introduced a resolution in the Senate against Trump's Saudi arms deal. [1] Representatives Justin Amash and Mark Pocan have introduced a companion resolution in the House against the Saudi arms deal. [2] Under the Arms Export Control Act, the Senate resolution against the Saudi arms deal is guaranteed a floor vote. But the House resolution against the Saudi arms deal is not guaranteed a floor vote. The House resolution against the Saudi arms deal could be buried by the House Foreign Affairs Committee [HFAC] and never receive a floor vote. On May 25, Rep. Ted Lieu and Rep. Ted Yoho sent a letter to HFAC Chairman Ed Royce calling for a full committee hearing to review the Trump Administration’s proposed sale of precision-guided munitions to Saudi Arabia. The letter noted that the Trump Administration had yet to provide information related to the Saudi Air Force’s capacity to avoid civilian casualties and attacks on civilian targets in its airstrikes in Yemen which was requested by 31 Members of Congress, including members of the Committee, in a letter on April 6, 2017. The Obama Administration suspended the sale in December 2016 following repeated Saudi airstrikes on civilian targets. [3] Add your voice to the demand that HFAC hold a hearing on Trump's Saudi arms deal by signing our petition. References: 1. https://www.congress.gov/bill/115th-congress/senate-joint-resolution/42 2. https://www.congress.gov/bill/115th-congress/house-joint-resolution/102 3. https://lieu.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/reps-lieu-and-yoho-call-foreign-affairs-committee-review-arms-sales

I remember learning about the Holocaust in school and thinking to myself: if I was alive then, I would have done something. This issue in Chechnya doesn't affect us here in the United States, however, with our "President" allegedly in collusion with Russia, and this situation unfolding in their republic, it's quite concerning. Twenty-six people have died for being who they are and for who they love. That's unacceptable! And it's being ignored. Our own "President" hasn't spoken out. He doesn't care. Our own State Department has denied Visas to those trying to escape the persecution in Chechnya. Help us fight! Please email me so we can help you organize protests in your cities and countries! Let's all stand together on July 1st to say that our EYES ARE ON CHECHNYA! [email protected] Find our group on Facebook: Safe Passage Alliance (Based in Los Angeles, CA USA)

As Peter Beinart reports in the Forward [1], Hebron's Issa Amro has been preaching nonviolent resistance in the tradition of Gandhi and Martin Luther King Jr for almost two decades. Amro's organization, Youth Against Settlements, frequently hosts Israeli activists. Amro has won awards from the UN and the EU. Amro doesn’t just oppose violence, he’s also gone to extraordinary lengths to stop it. In retaliation for his advocacy of nonviolence, Beinart reports, Amro faces 18 criminal charges. If convicted, he’ll likely serve a long prison sentence. Amnesty International notes, "Some of the charges ... are not recognizable criminal offences under international standards." [2] The changes include incitement, protesting without a permit and "insulting a soldier." Amro also faces two charges of assault. Amnesty calls these allegations "baseless," noting, "One of the charges of assault refers to an incident ... that took place after he had already been arrested and was therefore not present." [3] Amro faces trial in a military court where the conviction rate exceeds 99%. [4] As the Israeli human rights group B’Tselem reported in 2015, "A Palestinian charged in a military court is as good as convicted." [5] Reps. Mark Pocan, Betty McCollum, Earl Blumenauer and Keith Ellison are circulating a letter urging Secretary of State Tillerson to defend Amro's "rights to due process, freedom of expression and peaceful protest." Urge your Rep. to sign the Pocan letter by signing our petition. References: 1. http://forward.com/opinion/israel/373119/why-israel-should-embrace-this- 2. https://www.amnestyusa.org/files/uaa27816.pdf 3. https://www.amnesty.org/en/latest/news/2016/11/israel-opt-drop-baseless-charges-against-palestinian-human-rights-defender/ 4. http://www.haaretz.com/nearly-100-of-all-military-court-cases-in-west-bank-end-in-conviction-haaretz-learns-1.398369 5. http://www.btselem.org/press_releases/20150622_presumed_guilty

Saudi Arabia is using U.S. weapons to deliberately create famine in Yemen [1]. Trump's Saudi arms deal is widely seen as a U.S. seal of approval for escalation of the famine-producing Saudi-UAE war and blockade. Sens. Chris Murphy [D-CT] and Rand Paul [R-KY] [2] and Reps. Mark Pocan [D-WI] and Justin Amash [R-MI] [3] have introduced resolutions to block the Saudi arms deal. CNN's Fareed Zakaria attacked Trump's Saudi arms deal in a Washington Post op-ed. Zakaria noted that Saudi Arabia has been central to the spread of terrorism; that Saudi Arabia has spread its puritanical and intolerant version of Islam across the Muslim world; that Osama bin Laden was Saudi, as were 15 of the 19 hijackers on 9/11; that the Saudi government has provided financial and logistic support to ISIS and is in tacit alliance with al-Qaeda in Yemen; that charities 'closely connected with government offices' of Saudi Arabia are funding mosques, schools and imams to disseminate a fundamentalist, intolerant version of Islam throughout Germany; that more than 94% of deaths caused by Islamist terrorism since 2001 were perpetrated by the Islamic State, al-Qaeda and other Sunni jihadists; that almost every Islamist terrorist attack in the West has had some connection to Saudi Arabia. [4] But Fareed Zakaria has not yet endorsed the bipartisan Congressional opposition to the Saudi arms deal that could force a change in U.S. policy. Urge Fareed Zakaria to endorse the bipartisan Congressional opposition to the Saudi arms deal by signing our petition. References: 1. https://www.c-span.org/video/?c4670011/murphy-young-yemen-murphy-saudis-deliberately-trying-create-famine-yemen 2. https://www.congress.gov/bill/115th-congress/senate-joint-resolution/42/ 3. https://www.congress.gov/bill/115th-congress/house-joint-resolution/102 4. https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/global-opinions/saudi-arabia-just-played-donald-trump/2017/05/25/d0932702-4184-11e7-8c25-44d09ff5a4a8_story.html

Our NATO allies stood with us during 9/11, the first time in history that Article 5 was invoked. They have gone to war with us, fought with us, and died with us. We will stand with NATO.

There's a big Congressional fight coming on Trump's Saudi arms deal. This deal is controversial because Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates are using U.S. weapons to kill civilians and destroy civilian infrastructure in Yemen, deliberately trying to create famine in Yemen [1]; and because Trump's Saudi arms deal is widely seen as a U.S. seal of approval for escalation of the catastrophic Saudi-UAE war and blockade. [2] Senators Chris Murphy [D-CT] and Rand Paul [R-KY] [3] and Representatives Mark Pocan [D-WI] and Justin Amash [R-MI] [4] have introduced resolutions to block the sale. [S.J.Res.42 & H.J.Res.102] Urge your Senators and Representative to co-sponsor and vote for the resolutions blocking Trump's Saudi arms deal by signing our petition. References: 1. https://www.c-span.org/video/?c4670011/murphy-young-yemen-murphy-saudis-deliberately-trying-create-famine-yemen 2. http://www.newyorker.com/news/john-cassidy/trumps-big-saudi-arms-deal-will-cause-more-misery-for-yemen 3. https://www.congress.gov/bill/115th-congress/senate-joint-resolution/42 4. https://www.congress.gov/bill/115th-congress/house-joint-resolution/102