Newsletter 12.7.21

Hi all, hope you are well! Here's this fortnight's newsletter. 

Be sure to look out for Part II of our two-parter episode that drops tomorrow. And sneak peak: next week episode is a Very Special Christmas-Themed Citations Needed!

Hope you're having a good December, 

Trendel, Adam, Julianne, Nima, Florence, and Marco

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Why COP26 Flopped Basav Sen, In These Times (December 1, 2021)

COP26 failed to secure major climate commitments that could prevent the loss of life of many in the global south. While it is easy to blame countries like India and China for diluting the language of the accords, corporations and the U.S. also had a hand to play in the weakening of climate language.

The Future of Abortion Rights is the Future of other Fundamental Rights Jordan Smith, The Intercept (December 2, 2021)

The U.S. Supreme Court appears poised to rule on what looks like the overturning of Roe V. Wade. With abortion rights at serious risk, others worry conservatives will use the same approach to create limits on same sex marriage and sexual activity.

Anti-BDS Laws Could Upend the Right to Engage in Boycott Alice Speri, The Intercept (November 29, 2021)

The new film “Boycott” documents U.S. efforts in states and nationally to place restrictions on the Boycott Divest and Sanction movement. The documentary argues that boycotts are a time-honored form of protest in the U.S. and that legislation limiting it sets a dangerous precedent.

Meet the California PR Firm Helping Cops Fight Off Bad Press Scott Morris, The Appeal (November 30, 2021)

California-based Cole Pro Media specializes in advising police departments and local governments whenever controversy arises, specifically about police conduct. Cole Pro media is one in a growing number of firms that helps cops deal with bad press and are explicitly marketed at handling police crises.

Police Disinformation is Still Disinformation Jerry Ianelli, The Appeal (November 30, 2021)

Police unions and chiefs regularly lie and spread disinformation to the media, which dutifully publishes the spoken word of these figures on matters such as police funding and the impact of vaccine mandates. As the media has become more willing to call out politicians like Donald Trump for lying, the same should apply to police.

After Michigan Shooting, Democrats Weigh Competing Approaches to School Safety Rachel M. Cohen, The Intercept (December 3, 2021)

After the Michigan school shooting, talks of gun control legislation have begun to surface again. Democrats are currently weighing one approach that grants police more authority in schools against backlash from civil rights groups wary of over-policing.

Hospitals Are Using the Nursing Shortage to Stiff Health Care Workers Heather Rust, Jacobin (December 5, 2021)

The national nursing shortage has made headlines, but those stories are usually not followed by reports of hospitals rising to meet the task. Hospitals have long relied on cutting staffing to the bone and overworking nurses to keep profits up, and now they are facing burnout.

How Big-Business Lobbyists Are Protecting the Corporate Court Andrew Perez, Jacobin (December 3, 2021)

Lobbying firms for big business have stepped up to defend the Supreme Court from reform efforts, claiming that reform would harm business and the institution’s integrity. The Supreme Court has consistently been on the side of big business and lobbyists are trying to protect the status quo.

CNN Covered Itself in Shame to Try to Save Chris Cuomo’s Career Alex Shepard, The New Republic (December 2, 2021)

Chris Cuomo has been fired from CNN over using his position to aid his brother in burying harassment claims. CNN has embarrassed itself by taking Cuomo at face value for so long, and for its part in promoting Andrew Cuomo by letting Chris interview him.

Politico Doesn’t Have ‘Woke Police’—It Has Staffers Calling Out Bad Journalism Julie Hollar, FAIR (December 2, 2021)

A Daily Beast article covering divisions within Politico frames the dispute as one between more woke younger reporters and an old guard. However, a closer look at the stories in question reveals serious lapses in judgement from Politico about trans inclusion and allowing right-wingers to spew lies.

Media Don’t Factcheck Right-Wing Migration Myths David L. Wilson, FAIR (December 1, 2021)

Reporting about Biden’s response to a question from Fox News focused entirely on Biden’s bungled response and not on the fact that the initial question was based on a myth. The coverage fits a pattern of outlets doing little to counter outright lies spread by right-wing media.