After this story published, Gaetz sent a letter to the Israeli Ambassador Gilad Erdan requesting a meeting with him to discuss Novak’s communications with Adams. The allegation that a foreign official may be involved in a shakedown scheme of a U.S. congressman — a highly unusual development in its own right — could help provide a fuller picture of a scandal that has captivated the nation’s capital but where many pieces are still unknown. The allegations have been largely overlooked by most media outlets. The Novak incident is one of the many twists and turns in the Gaetz case, replete with reports of drug-fueled orgies organized by a former local tax collector in Florida, Joel Greenberg, who pleaded guilty to a host of crimes, including sex-trafficking a minor who later became a porn star. He’s cooperating with federal authorities to bring a case against Gaetz in return for leniency. His sentencing is scheduled for Nov. 18. The Gaetz case has jumped from straight news headlines to entertainment. A Gaetz-like congressman is to be featured Thursday in a Law & Order season-premier. And Gaetz was also invoked in a lawsuit against the online “sugar daddy”website not to be mentioned. OK IT’S CALLED Seeking Arrangements.com or something. This is a Representative of the United States of America & he has a fiancée he is a cad, a two faced, flip flopping, silver tongue devil. I myself believe he isn’t acting like a Christian.

The reality is that the days after 9/11 were fraught and emotional — some communities came together and others were viciously scapegoated, even though they were hurting too. There was a spike in hate crimes against Arab, Muslim, Middle Eastern, South Asian and Sikh people, and too much of that unchecked racist rhetoric ultimately helped launch endless wars and lay the foundation for the Muslim ban. Twenty years later, it’s time that we address that truth. Reps. Jayapal, Omar, Tlaib, and Chu just introduced a new bill to recognize the harm that these communities have suffered since 9/11. With your help we can get it the support it needs. As activists who oppose war and seek to build a better future, it’s our responsibility to push those in power to understand the lessons of the past so that we can redefine what security looks like in the future — for all of us.

Today you can advocate for them by signing this petition stating you support project 1/5 in getting our interpreters and their families out of Afghanistan safely. Signing this petition shows the support we the American people have for our interpreters who served with our USMC. This petition acts as a measure to show we will support them in their process for safe exit and leagal exit through humanitarian parole or SIV recommendation, sharing with your friends and working with groups like AlliedExtract.org to help offset the cost of these this astronomical fee. Being free from the Taliban should be equitable. Help us get our people back with to us safely. These people are our people. They were left there to be slaughtered despite their best efforts to leave on the US GOVT. processing terms. This is unacceptable. This is not only about doing what is right but it is fighting for human rights, woman's rights and supporting our veterans and their families that stood beside them. Tell your local congressmen to support the quick processing of those who qualify for entry into the United States and to allow private entities who are helping keep them safe to be allowed to bring them back to us. Our interviews and stories are posted on the website for more information. The costs are rising as the situation in Afghanistan continues to escalate.

"We can never allow this to happen again." That’s what Rep. Barbara Lee said of the 20-year long war in Afghanistan when it finally ended last month.1 Lee was the only member of Congress to vote against the Authorization of Use of Military Force (AUMF) in the fall of 2001, rightly concerned that it would enable endless war. That authorization, and the one passed in 2002 allowing George W. Bush to launch an invasion of Iraq, are still on the books. It’s time for that to change. Congress must end the forever wars by repealing both the Authorization for Military Use of Force (AUMF) from 2001 and 2002. Sign the petition: Tell Congress to repeal both the authorizations to use military force from 2001 and 2002! Every President since 2001 have used these authorizations to justify waging neverending war in Iraq, and Afghanistan, and far beyond. At least 300,000 civilians died as a result of these wars, a staggering death toll.2 Congress took a giant leap forward in ending forever wars and saving civilian lives when the House repealed the 2002 legislation that enabled George W. Bush to invade Iraq.3 But there’s still a long way to go. That same repeal vote needs to pass in the Senate -- and there’s still another military authorization, passed in 2001 to allow Bush to invade Afghanistan, that needs to be repealed too. The Biden administration is changing course away from 20 years of war and suffering, and that’s good! But to fully end our forever wars, and prevent a future president from using 20-year old votes to justify new military action, we need Congress to repeal both of these authorizations. Sign the petition: Tell Congress to repeal both the 2001 and 2002 Congressional authorizations for military force! Sources: 1. Vanity Fair, ““We Can Never Allow This To Happen Again”: Rep. Barbara Lee On Afghanistan’s Spectacular Fall And The Futility Of “Forever Wars”,” August 18, 2021. 2. Independent, “Forgotten victims of 9/11: The 363,000 civilians killed during the War on Terror,” September 10, 2021. 3. NPR, “In Historic, Bipartisan Move, House Votes To Repeal 2002 Iraq War Powers Resolution,” June 17, 2021.

Every year, dictators and foreign governments spend hundreds of millions of dollars to manipulate American politics and bend U.S. foreign policy towards their interests. As America's largest arms customer, Saudi Arabia's monarchy spends vast sums in the U.S. every year to promote the idea that their dictatorship should be a U.S. ally. Meanwhile, the Saudi dictatorship does everything in its power to block freedom and reform at home. Saudi Arabia's rulers jail and kill peaceful critics, torture women's rights activists, bomb civilians in Yemen, and intervene against democracy across the Middle East. Saudi Arabia's current dictator, Mohammed bin Salman, is no exception. Ed Newberry of the U.S. lobbying firm Squire Patton Boggs is one of many unethical lobbyists who have worked as registered foreign agents for Saudi Arabia's dictatorship. But he and his firm are the only ones who still represent the very Saudi office that was directly involved with the murder of Jamal Khashoggi. Newberry's bloody contract began with a payment of $1.2 million via Saud Al-Qahtani, the head of the Saudi Center at the time. Al-Qahtani has been sanctioned by the US government for his role in murdering Khashoggi. His Saudi monarchy center was also named in a recent US intelligence report on Saudi dissident Jamal Khashoggi's murder in Turkey by Saudi agents, which stated: "The 15-member Saudi team that arrived in Istanbul on 2 October 2018 included officials who worked for, or were associated with, the Saudi Center for Studies and Media Affairs (CSMARC) at the Royal Court." Help take our country’s politics back from the brutal dictators who want to bend our fragile democracy to their will. Demand that Ed Newberry and Squire Patton Boggs stop working for Saudi Arabia's dictatorship. Urge Ed Newberry and Squire Patton Boggs to cancel their contracts with Saudi Arabia's dictatorship and the so-called Saudi Center for Studies and Media Affairs at the Saudi Royal Court (CSMARC). SOURCES: 1) "Edward J. Newberry, Partner, Squire Patton Boggs,” https://www.squirepattonboggs.com/en/professionals/n/newberry-edward-j 2) “Top Lobbying Firm Is Still on the Payroll of Saudi Center Implicated in Jamal Khashoggi’s Murder,” Mother Jones, March 3, 2021, https://www.motherjones.com/politics/2021/03/top-lobbying-firm-is-still-on-the-payroll-of-saudi-center-implicated-in-jamal-khashoggis-murder/ 3) “Amendment to Registration Statement Pursuant to the Foreign Agents Registration Act of 1938, as amended,” received by NSD/FARA Registration Unit, U.S. Department of Justice, March 1, 2021, https://efile.fara.gov/docs/2165-Amendment-20210301-140.pdf 4) “Short Form Registration Statement Pursuant to the Foreign Agents Registration Act of 1938, as amended,” received by NSD/FARA Registration Unit, U.S. Department of Justice, September 20, 2016, https://efile.fara.gov/docs/2165-Short-Form-20160920-634.pdf. 5) “Assessing the Saudi Government's Role in the Killing of Jamal Khashoggi,” Office Of The Director Of National Intelligence, February 11, 2021, https://www.dni.gov/files/ODNI/documents/assessments/Assessment-Saudi-Gov-Role-in-JK-Death-20210226v2.pdf 6) Saud Al-Qahtani: Saud al-Qahtani Helped Kill Khashoggi, Tortured Prominent Activist https://dawnmena.org/saudi-arabia-saud-al-qahtani-helped-kill-khashoggi-tortured-prominent-activist/

Every year there is a ‘cap’ on the number of refugees the United States will resettle, and that means accepting more refugees from Afghanistan could bar others seeking safety and refuge from other global crises. There’s a simple solution: instead of squeezing people fleeing unprecedented catastrophes — many we helped create — through a defective and insufficient process, the United States could simply increase the number of refugees we welcome. In fact, the United States has a history of opening its doors to people fleeing crisis: the 1980 refugee cap was set at *231,700*. Representatives Barbara Lee and Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez organized 66 of their colleagues to pressure the Biden administration to meet this urgent moment by increasing next year’s refugee cap to no less than 200,000. We have just a few weeks to influence the president’s decision, and that means now is the time for us to do everything we can to amplify these champions’ call. President Biden: Raise the refugee cap!

As the humanitarian crisis grows and the U.S. military prepares to leave on August 31 saving as many Afghan lives as possible must be the U.S. government’s top priority. But here’s something you may not know: there are ample funds available to ease suffering on the ground and support Afghans to rebuild their lives — like inside next year’s astronomical Pentagon budget, where more than $3 BILLION is currently earmarked for the now-collapsed Afghan National Security Forces. Congress is deciding where those funds will go as we speak. And the possibility that this money could instead be spent on a few more F-35s or bombs is all too real — and should be immediately, completely rejected. That’s why we need to get loud NOW Add your name to call on Congress to immediately use any money that was previously going to be spent supporting Afghan security forces to help save Afghan lives.

Amazon wants to build a new HQ in South Africa by bulldozing over sacred indigenous land.1 And just like when Amazon tried to build a new HQ in New York City, local activists in Cape Town are pushing back. Amazon didn't choose a sacred indigenous site by accident. They know it has historical, cultural and environmental significance.2 They just want to destroy and build on it anyway. But since Amazon is a US company, they're particularly vulnerable to grassroots pressure here in the US. You can show your solidarity with indigenous activists in South Africa by calling on your member of Congress to denounce this new Amazon headquarters. Sign the petition: Tell Congress to denounce Amazon's plan to build a HQ on sacred indigenous land in South Africa! The indigenous land sits on the banks of the Liesbeek River where in the year 1510 Khoi peoples successfully fought back Portuguese intruders. The area is still a source of pride and cultural heritage for the Khoi, which also survived decades of oppression under Apartheid. But now Amazon wants to bulldoze it and build a sprawling campus. Over 50,000 residents in Cape Town signed a petition opposing the construction, but Amazon is pushing ahead anyway. That's why folks on the ground there are asking for your help! If US elected officials publicly denounce this HQ project, Amazon will face an international political and PR nightmare. Activists here in the US successfully blocked an Amazon HQ in New York City. Together you can show solidarity with indigenous activists and help block this new Amazon HQ in South Africa. Sign the petition: Tell Congress to denounce Amazon's plan to build a HQ on sacred indigenous land in South Africa! Sources: 1. Reuters, "Heritage dispute engulfs site chosen for Amazon's new African HQ," June 3, 2021. 2. Africa News, "Controversy over the location of Amazon African headquarters in Cape Town," May 14, 2021.

Pegasus, a spyware created by Israeli company NSO, surveilled over *50,000* individuals — including private citizens — through their phones: tracking their messages, monitoring their locations, and even remotely activating their microphones to listen in on their conversations. This kind of mass surveillance is a threat to each and every one of us. That’s why we’re calling on Congress to protect our privacy and implement oversight of Pegasus spyware. Will you add your name to join us in calling for an end to unchecked surveillance?

Today the entire mainstream media is owned by only FIVE corporations, all of which are run by people who are invested in weapons and war. The result is a media that always starts with a pro-interventionist position and is staffed by former intelligence officials and generals that protect the government narrative instead of the truth. Additionally, it is extremely rare for mainstream media outlets to have on opposing viewpoints, especially from the left, to have debates and discussions. We need a return to fairness, truth and civil debate.

After 20 years and BILLIONS of dollars it still has NINE deficiencies so serious they could “cause death, severe injury, or severe occupational illness” to the pilots flying them. ENOUGH. From Los Angeles, CA to Burlington, VT, too many of us are struggling to recover and rebuild from the worst of the pandemic. Classrooms have no heat or AC, families go hungry to pay for prescription medicines, a massive climate crisis is coming straight for all of us because lawmakers say the solutions are too expensive — because lawmakers say the solutions are too expensive. One way we could save BILLIONS every year is obvious: Add your name to tell Congress to cancel the F-35 Failed Fighter Jet!

Afghan interpreters who put their lives and families at risk deserve protection by the U.S. The U.S. has a moral obligation to act — from speeding up the visa application process and increasing the number of visas available to directly evacuating interpreters. And as veterans, active duty servicemembers, military family members, and civilian supporters, it's our duty to speak up and demand action from the Biden Administration. Will you add your name and tell President Biden not to leave Afghan interpreters behind? >>