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Political Misfits
Political Misfits bring you news, politics and culture from the belly of Washington DC without the red and blue treatment. Informed by progressive politics, class analysis and anti-war activism, we break down the day's pressing economic, social and political stories from perspectives often ignored.

GoFundMeUkraine and Defund Russia Hysteria

GoFundMeUkraine and Defund Russia Hysteria
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On this episode, selective funding by donors in conflict zones, JCPOA talks continue, and the Red Hill fuel plant closes.
At the top of the show, Nicolas J.S. Davies, independent journalist, a researcher with Code Pink and the author of "Blood On Our Hands: The American Invasion and Destruction of Iraq," joins the show to talk about the latest news from Ukraine. They talk about how the press has reported today that there was a major disconnect between the US and Poland over the provision of MiG fighters to Ukraine. Then, they discuss the Friday deadline for the United States and Iran to agree on the US rejoining the JCPOA. Presumably, the US wants to be able to save face and to get Iranian oil onto the market.
Next, Ariel Gold, co-executive director of Code Pink, joins the conversation to talk about the status of a new Iran nuclear deal. Over the last couple of weeks, most of the headlines have been very positive - the two sides are close, progress is being made. But yesterday, suddenly, the deal was in jeopardy again - and it’s Russia’s fault? The Misfits talk about how close we are to a deal and what is Russia asking for that is so problematic?
Then, they discuss that last month, Israeli human rights group B’Tselem has been documenting the establishment of a new settlement near the town of Beita in the West Bank. The back and forth of establishing and legalizing this settlement has been going on for months, and for months, Palestinians have been protesting the settlement and their separation from some of their farmland. Several people have been killed.
Next on the program, Chris Garaffa, editor of TechForThePeople.org, joins the show to talk about Russia and the internet. Russia is being increasingly isolated by large internet providers including Cisco, Cogent and Lumen, who own the communication infrastructure that goes across the seas. They are cutting off their Russian clients, and that’s going to have a chilling effect on the internet from Russia. The internet is a global network and countries should not be cut off, according to Garaffa.
Also in the news today, the White House announced a new executive order on ensuring responsible innovation in digital assets. This is being described as huge news, a watershed moment for cryptocurrency as Bitcoin surges on the news. Then, they talk about censorship after YouTube takes down "Ukraine On Fire," a documentary by Oliver Stone.
For the last segment, Steve Donziger, lawyer, writer, former journalist and environmental advocate currently known for leading an unrelenting (24 years and counting) legal battle against Chevron related to its contamination of the Ecuadorian rainforest, calls in to talk about the Pentagon’s decision to permanently close the Red Hill fuel storage facility that had been leaking fuel into Pearl Harbor's drinking water for years. 6,000 people were sickened and 4,000 families had to be evacuated. The drinking water smelled of diesel fuel and had an oily sheen to it. This didn’t just happen, it’s been going on for years. Donziger explains the history and why it took so long to address the problem when lives were on the line.
This Misfits sign off till Thursday.
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The views and opinions expressed in this program are those of the speakers and do not necessarily reflect the position of Sputnik.
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