Randy’s Rants
Randy’s Rants is a series of essays by legendary Cleveland author, activist and CCPC Member Randy Cunningham. We’ll be featuring a different one each week for as long as Randy is willing to write the articles
CCPC Recommended
National
Trump fuels fury and fear in the Middle East after vowing to ‘ take over ‘ the Gaza strip If Trump had suggested this as a joke it would show just how unhinged he has become. But the fact that he suggested this as a serious policy proposal shows just how unhinged he has become. And the fact that no Republican came out against this shows just how unhinged they have become. Can you imagine how Hamas would greet the U.S. military?
Trump DOJ firings are designed to deter future investigations The firing of multiple career Justice Department lawyers involved in prosecuting Donald Trump last week was designed to intimidate the Justice Department and FBI workforce and deter investigations of Trump’s second administration and is not a surprise. What is laughable is Trump’s assertion that he fired them because they prosecuted him because of political bias.
The Trump administration offers roughly 2 million federal workers a buyout to resign The Trump administration is offering federal workers the chance to take a ” deferred resignation, ” which would mean they agree now to resign but get paid through September. About 5% – 10% of the federal employees are expected to take the offer and the federal government expects this to lead to $100 billion in savings. But what about the job that these people actually do? The Project 2025 plan to dismantle the federal government is definitely on.
What Leaving the World Health Organization Means for The United States and the World Is another test of the constitution. The United States joined the WHO in 1948 by an act of Congress, and can only withdraw by another act of Congress. In this case if the withdrawal does happen, most experts believe that the U.S. and the world would be less safe from infectious diseases. Trump’s reasoning for the attempted withdrawal is the WHO’s mishandling of the COVID crisis. Really? We all know who mishandled the COVID crisis.
Former Sanders, Fetterman campaign consultants start a new firm aimed at winning back working – class voters This may be great news. The consultants who helped guide Bernie Sanders’ 2016 presidential campaign and the winning Senate bids for John Fetterman and Ruben Gallego are branding their new company as Fight Agency. Their goal is to elect more nontraditional candidates with a populist, anti – establishment streak. They’re even open to supporting left – leaning independents who eschew the Democratic Party label altogether.
Progressives focus their ire on US ‘ oligarchy’ Progressives are now focusing their messaging on being anti – oligarchy, training their sights not just on Republicans but also on Democrats they argue are too beholden to corporate interests. This rebrand is long overdue. For nearly a decade, ever since Bernie Sanders angered establishment figures by daring to challenge Hillary Clinton, Democrats have relied on similar corporate influences as Republicans to various degrees.
CNN surrenders to Trump CNN anchor Jim Acosta is fated to be a barometer of his network’s relationship with Donald Trump. During Trump’s first term, Acosta’s tough questioning at press conferences gave CNN credibility as a news outlet that wasn’t intimidated by the president’s bullying and willing to uphold the principle of accountability. Acosta currently has a morning show that runs from 10 am to noon. But his new assignment is going to be the midnight to 2 am slot when nobody will be watching.
Justice Department in talks about dropping corruption case against NYC Mayor Eric Adams Adams was indicted in September on a litany of charges including bribery, fraud and soliciting illegal foreign contributions. The charges stem from an investigation that dates back to 2021. But President Trump and Adams have become friendly in recent months and Adams seems to be cooperating with mass deportations. So not a shock that the new Injustice Department would drop the charges.
Local
City Council – Commissioned Investigation Finds Joe Jones Has a ” Sustained Pattern of Inappropriate and Unprofessional Behavior” Cleveland City Council last week released a summary of an investigative report that catalogs two years of harassment allegations against Ward 1 Councilman Joe Jones. The investigation found that Jones had ” a sustained pattern of inappropriate behavior and unprofessional behavior.” The report went on to say that Jones also likely violated Council policies on sexual harassment and workplace violence. Joe, if you’re reading this, please do everyone a favor and resign!
Texts show some Cleveland City Council members intended to retaliate against Jones’ accusers “ Destination Cleveland will never get my support again ” was a text sent by Ward 10 City Councilman Anthony Hairston after a Destination Cleveland employee accused Joe Jones of sexual harassment. Ward 5 City Councilman Richard Starr responded with a 100 emoji. The text’s were in a thread obtained by our friends at Ideastream Public Media and are almost as bad as Jones’ behavior.
State
This bill is very similar to the fascist legislation that was proposed in the last General Assembly session. The bill would ban colleges’ diversity, equity and inclusion work, make a three – credit course on civics mandatory for students to graduate, and prohibit faculty members from striking. The fact that it was the first bill introduced suggests that it is a top priority for the fascist Republicans.
Ohio GOP proposal seeks to change voter – passed marijuana law with higher tax, lower THC levels Republican lawmakers are trying to reduce the amount of marijuana grown at home, lower the level of THC in recreational marijuana, and redirect the revenue raised from it. If the legislation is enacted, the likely result would be more business for the pot stores just across the state line in Michigan and drastically reduced revenue for Ohio. Wonder how many of the Republican lawmakers use pot themselves?
Possibility of state money for new Browns stadium leaves Ohio funding experts skeptical The conservative Buckeye Institute and the progressive Policy Matters Ohio rarely agree on anything, but both organizations say that giving the Haslam’s $600 million would be a waste of taxpayer money. Budget season is underway ( more on that below ) and so far no concrete proposal has been presented by the Haslam’s. But we do know that they have had numerous meetings with General Assembly members.
The proposal calls for doubling the state’s tax on sports gambling from 20% to 40% and would bring in between 130 and 180 million dollars a year. An appointed commission would then decide how to spend the money, although DeWine made clear that he had the Cleveland Browns stadium project and a separate proposal to renovate the Cincinnati Bengals stadium in mind.
Immigration
Preparing for the Worst Across the Country, many Americans are preparing themselves for the moment when agents from the federal government, whether from the military or ICE, storm into their communities and deport anyone suspected of lacking legal documentation. These preparations are happening on a wide scale, with non – profits and legal organizations preparing strategies, teachers discussing strategies in break rooms, and mixed – status couples marrying to get their documents in order.
ICE Makes Sweeping Arrests in Chicago, Endangering City’s Livelihood In Chicago undocumented workers make up nearly one – third of maids and housekeeping cleaners ( 32.9% ), construction laborers ( 30.5% ), cooks ( 30% ) and painters and paperhangers ( 30% ). Among landscaping and grounds keeping workers, 42.1% were undocumented immigrants. And undocumented immigrants also make up 13.5% of the manufacturing workforce and 8.9% of wholesale trade workers. And most are not reporting to work.
How a federal crackdown on immigration might affect immigrants in Ohio Immigrants make up 4.9% of the population in Ohio, about 581,000 residents, under various statuses. There are about 104,000 undocumented immigrants in Ohio, spread throughout the state. Immigrants make up 6.1% of Ohio’s workforce and about 8% are entrepreneurs. The combined household income within the state of Ohio is $25.6 billion. Which means a lot of money in federal, state and local taxes.
End to birthright citizenship could cause chaos for Northeast Ohio immigrants Here are some of the pointed questions asked in the article. A child is born in a hospital in Ohio, but is not a citizen. Is that child stateless? Is that child undocumented? Is Immigration and Customs Enforcement going to have to be stationed at hospital maternity wards and delivery rooms? Dozens of countries, including Canada and Mexico offer birthright citizenship.
Black Lives Matter
U.S. Sen. Bernie Moreno urges the DOJ to review police consent decrees in Cleveland and other cities Moreno is once again grandstanding to show how Trumpian racist he can be. Trump’s Department of Injustice has already said they would be reviewing all of the current consent decrees. And the sad truth is they will all probably be terminated. And the police will once again be free to do whatever they want to Black people.
How did Black History Month start? Let’s go back. Black History Month began as Negro History Week in 1926. When the Civil Rights Movement and Anti – War Movement began in the 1960’s, young Black people and white progressives were eager to organize against racism and the Vietnam War. Black history clubs began to appear on many college campuses across the country. In 1976 Black History Month was officially recognized by President Ford.
CCPC February Membership Meeting
CCPC February Membership Meeting: Issue Updates Wednesday, February 19 from 6:30 to 8 pm. Agenda items include: 1) Trump – One month in 2) The continuing lead issue in Cleveland. Spencer Wells from CLASH will be joining us for this update 3) Other local issues. Please click here to register for the event. After registering you’ll receive an email with the Zoom link
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