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Progressives are concerned that high gas prices are worsening inequalities, creating tension between activists who want Democrats to do more to condemn big oil and those trying to navigate Russias deadly invasion of Ukraine.

Some on the left are critical of their own partys ties to fossil fuel, saying Democrats should be doing more to curb the industrys influence and clout.

We seem to have little or no political will to ensure accountability and to get the oil and gas industry to straighten up and fly right, said Jeri Shepherd, a progressive Democratic National Committee member from Colorado. Regular people are going to be feeling the pain, and we as a political system are going to be indifferent.

Liberals have often targeted oil and gas corporations, and anger is rising that such firms are entering a boom time even as their customers are hit with inflation. Gas prices have risen to well above $4 per gallon across the country.

The calls were joined on Wednesday by President BidenJoe BidenBelarusian president says Putin is 'completely sane' and 'in better shape than ever' Arizona Democrat tests positive for COVID-19 Thousands of Mariupol residents forcibly taken to Russia, city council says MORE, who took aim at the oil giants.

Last time oil was $96 a barrel, gas was $3.62 a gallon. Now its $4.31, Biden tweeted. Oil and gas companies shouldnt pad their profits at the expense of hardworking Americans.

Biden was piqued that gas prices had not fallen even as oil prices had.

Gas prices averaged $4.32 per gallon on Tuesday, according to the AAA.

Short version: If the price of oil goes down, the price of gas should also go down, White House press secretary Jen PsakiJen PsakiWhy you shouldn't expect profit margins to fall when prices rise Energy & Environment Interior to continue oil leasing plans Health Care Fauci warns of cases rising again MORE said on Twitter.

Sen. Sheldon WhitehouseSheldon WhitehousePush to make daylight saving time permanent has longtime backers If Democrats have their way, gas prices will surge even higher Democrats divided over how to deal with rising inflation MORE (D-R.I.) and Rep. Ro KhannaRohit (Ro) KhannaGas prices lead to tensions within Democratic Party A chance to improve research Here's who stands to win from high gas prices MORE (D-Calif.) introduced a bill last week aimed at taxing windfall profits on crude oil. Sen. Bernie SandersBernie SandersWhy you shouldn't expect profit margins to fall when prices rise Former Bernie Sanders press secretary: US should 'more holistically' fight climate change Gas prices lead to tensions within Democratic Party MORE (I-Vt.), who has been vocal about rising gas prices for years, reiterated his support for the measure, which is also backed by climate hawks outside of Congress.

The rising gas prices have exacerbated Bidens political problems with inflation, which have cut into his campaign pledge to give working- and middle-class people relief in their daily lives.

The rhetoric from climate groups has also stepped up. Groups are accusing the oil companies of using the Russian war to boost profits and to take advantage of average consumers all at the expense of the climate.

The fossil fuel industry is really showing us their playbook, said John Paul Mejia, national spokesperson with the grassroots-led Sunrise Movement. He argued that corporations are looting Americans at the gas pump.

I think everyones seeing through that right now, he said.

Democrats are divided over how to address the issue.

On the campaign trail, left-wing endorsers and organizers are broadly supporting candidates who reject fossil fuel contributions, including in a high-profile Democratic primary match-up in Texas. Insurgent Jessica Cisneros is headed for a runoff election against Rep. Henry Cuellar, who has taken contributions from political action committees linked to the industry.

Sen. Joe ManchinJoe ManchinFormer Bernie Sanders press secretary: US should 'more holistically' fight climate change Equilibrium/Sustainability Repurposing petroleum to build electric cars On The Money Democrats search for plan on inflation MORE (D-W.Va.), who proudly accepts fossil fuel funding, has caught fury from progressives for holding up Bidens Build Back Better package in the Senate.

Some on the left have also criticized Biden directly, saying he is facing a choice either to transition to clean renewable energy or to give more leverage to fossil fuel executives.

Others, however, have shied away from attacking the president, particularly one navigating the crisis in Ukraine.

There are real villains, said Zac Petkanas, a senior adviser to Invest in America Action, a group advocating for more public spending. We have a mad man invading sovereign countries that is driving up not just the cost of fuel, but very likely food and other things down the line.

A cost is a cost is a cost, whether youre paying a gas station to fill up your tank or a pharmacist to fill out a prescription, he said. We need to let people know that not only do we get that things cost too much, but we are laser focused on getting those costs down.

Biden has already taken action to decrease prices, including dipping into the nations strategic oil reserves, and suggested in his State of the Union address that he may do more. Energy Secretary Jennifer GranholmJennifer GranholmGas prices lead to tensions within Democratic Party Overnight Energy & Environment Biden calls for faster gas price drop Biden argues gender equality benefits everybody to mark Women's History Month MORE last week asked top oil leaders to increase the amount of oil they are producing, citing a state of emergency.

We have to responsibly increase short-term supply where we can right now to stabilize the market and minimize harm to American families, Granholm said.

She acknowledged in a later interview that the administrations goal remains to wean the country off fossil fuels.

The gas prices and general worries about inflation are issues that Republicans have used to attack Biden and Democrats and are another reason why the party is pessimistic about retaining the House majority this fall.

While the price of oil did dip below $100 per barrel this week, the price of gas has remained frustratingly high and Biden has warned of tough days ahead.

No matter what, he is likely to face more pressure from the left to take more actions against oil companies and to back renewable energy sources.

Fighting authoritarians and oil oligarchs by merely propagating and empowering our own is a false solution, Mejia, of the Sunrise Movement, said. Continuing to rely on oil and gas is nowhere near energy secure.

Originally posted here:
Gas prices lead to tensions within Democratic Party | TheHill - The Hill

Progressives need to rethink their views on housing or they risk losing the support of generations of young Canadians.

In Toronto and beyond both progressive politicians and residents who identify as such have extremely narrow views on how to solve our housing crisis that dont change the status quo, that havent provided much in the way of affordable housing, and that are beholden to the NIMBYism of comfortably housed people.

A smart friend recently asked me why, adding that it seems like conservatives are the ones who get it. In Ontario, the Progressive Conservatives have in fact talked a lot about housing, even convening a task force on housing affordability in November, pushing through a handful of affordable housing projects using controversial ministers zoning orders, or MZOs, and even proposing very dense clusters of housing around major transit nodes in the GTA.

Putting aside the question of whether or not these are the right solutions or particular moves, I offered some ideas on why the left people on the NDP-to-Liberal continuum are so tortuously bad at housing policy, arguing about interchangeable details and ideology rather than supporting solutions immediately.

The spirit of todays urban progressive movement was forged in the 1960s and 1970s in response to the excesses of modernist, postwar development. Whole neighbourhoods razed or torn apart by expressways. The right move at the time, but it never stopped trying to stop things.

Related to this is the idea that developers are evil. Some might be, and lots have gotten filthy rich, but even if we were building 100 per cent social housing, somebody would have to build it. The affordable housing standing today was built by developers, as were many beloved neighbourhoods. The government doesnt have the physical means nor expertise to build housing themselves, they can just fund it.

Like any government contract, like building roads or schools, somebody will make a profit. This evil developer belief plays out over and over as housing advocates, even young ones who can barely afford to live, are called developer shills by people who own property, as I certainly will be for writing this. Its all name calling without the actual cheque.

For some progressives, if the solution isnt 100 per cent purpose-built affordable housing, its wrong. This kind of view can be classified as perfect is the enemy of good and though a virtuous goal, the much more possible solution in our reality is a bold mix of market and social housing.

While some on the left pine wistfully away for Red Vienna, the period in the aftermath of WWI when the Social Democratic Workers Party of Austria built a massive amount of housing, our housing crisis gets worse. In Toronto, progressives are weak and havent held the balance of power in more than a decade. Do we wait until theyre more electable?

The generation gap is real. Theres a sense among comfortable, urban progressives, many who bought decades ago when it was much easier than it is today, that they actually live in a quaint village where any change is a threat, rather than a growing city. This manifests in various ways, such as directly opposing new housing, even truly affordable, like when the residents of progressive neighbourhoods around the Honest Eds redevelopment pressured the city to shrink the overall number of units there, reducing the amount of affordable units originally planned

On a smaller scale, even the gentlest density in protected neighbourhoods is outlawed to preserve neighbourhood character. Never mind that the comfortable progressives in places like Cabbagetown, Riverdale and most of the west side of old Toronto displaced working class populations. Never mind that the neighbourhoods are actually losing population. Never mind that these neighbourhoods are barely accessible to even the middle class now.

Progressive failure on housing is hard to see clearly because beyond the overt NIMBYism and exclusionary zoning, its about whats not being done.

Recent changes allowing laneway and garden suites in Toronto, all of which are wildly expensive and just a tiny part of the housing solution, allow some progressives to say see, were doing something when its the bare minimum.

Some progressive councillors defend their voting record, saying they always support planning staff decisions, but that hides behind the fact that a lot of the planning profession is actually quite conservative and loyal to the status quo, averse to change.

Purpose-built, deeply affordable housing will be the foundation of getting us out of this crisis, and we need progressives to fight for it because the other side would be happy focusing on mostly market-based solutions like simply increasing supply, but supply has to be a part of it too. Just as theres no one cause of the crisis, there isnt just one solution to it.

Yes, the financialization of housing, turning it into an investment vehicle, has done great harm, but to quote a famous boomer song, we didnt start the fire. Its not young peoples fault and theyre done with excuses.

For many people, it looks like conservatives have the answers. Progressives can make excuses or they can tackle this boldly and honestly. If not, they risk political oblivion.

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Why the left cant get Torontos housing right - Toronto Star

Civil rights leader the Rev. Al Sharpton on Saturday called for the NBA to close its investigation into the Phoenix Suns and remove majority owner Robert Sarver -- or soon provide a clear timetable for a resolution. If not, Sharpton said, he might take demonstrations to Phoenix.

"The owner of the Suns was revealed in the ESPN story last November -- how Sarver, the principal owner of the Phoenix Suns, made all these racist and misogynist statements. And [the NBA] said they were going to investigate it," Sharpton said at the New York City headquarters for the National Action Network, a civil rights organization that he founded in 1991. "Well, how long does it take for an investigation when you have videos and people that come forward?

"I put the call in [Friday] to the NBA that we want them to close the investigation and remove [Sarver] or tell us the timetable by the convention."

The National Action Network is slated to hold its annual convention April 6-9 in New York City.

"We are not going to allow people to affect the culture of the NFL or the NBA and insult us and act like that's acceptable behavior," Sharpton said. "They think, because it was November, everybody forgets about it, and that's why we wanted to put that pressure on. So we are, on the Phoenix Suns."

NBA spokesperson Mike Bass told ESPN on Saturday the investigation, which is being handled by the Wachtell Lipton law firm, is "ongoing and will take the time necessary to complete a thorough and comprehensive review of the matter."

Bass said any potential action by the NBA wouldn't happen until after the investigation is completed.

The NBA began its investigation into the Suns and Sarver in early November 2021, hours after ESPN published its story -- based on interviews with more than 70 current and former employees -- that included allegations of racism and misogyny in a sometimes hostile and toxic workplace in Phoenix during Sarver's 17-year tenure.

Sarver has denied most of the allegations detailed in ESPN's story.

Since then, lawyers for New York-based Wachtell Lipton, which previously led ownership-centered investigations into the LA Clippers and Atlanta Hawks, have interviewed more than 300 individuals, largely current and former employees, sources close to the investigation previously told ESPN. The lawyers have also had access to extensive documents, namely internal emails and human resources records, those sources said.

Employees have confirmed a range of published allegations while introducing others, sources previously told ESPN, and have provided the investigators with documents, specifically emails.

Sharpton's proclamation Saturday comes after members of a new coalition of civil rights activists, which includes four members of Sharpton's National Action Network, sent a letter on March 11 to NBA commissioner Adam Silver, as well as the NBA board of governors, that called for Sarver's removal.

"We are profoundly disturbed by the reports of racism, misogyny and abusive behavior allegedly committed by Phoenix Suns majority owner Robert Sarver," the letter from the 10-person group, which announced itself as the American Sports Accountability Project, said. "There is zero tolerance for such behavior in today's society, and we expect the NBA and its leadership to hold Mr. Sarver accountable for these despicable actions, as was done in the case of Donald Sterling."

Sharpton was part of a delegation that met with Silver in 2014 and pushed for a quick resolution regarding the investigation into Donald Sterling, the former Clippers owner who was banned from the league for racist comments that emerged from a recorded conversation.

The American Sports Accountability Project, or ASAP, also launched a website and a social media hashtag in its campaign: #SackSarver.

Excerpt from:
The Rev. Al Sharpton calls for NBA to end Phoenix Suns investigation, remove owner Robert Sarver - ESPN

A former Arkansas deputy was convicted Friday of negligent homicide and sentenced to a year in jail for fatally shooting an unarmed white teenager whose death last year drew the attention of national civil rights leaders

ByThe Associated Press

March 18, 2022, 8:35 PM

4 min read

CABOT, Ark. -- A former Arkansas deputy was convicted Friday of negligent homicide and sentenced to a year in jail for fatally shooting an unarmed white teenager whose death last year drew the attention of national civil rights leaders.

Jurors acquitted Michael Davis of the more serious offense of manslaughter while finding him guilty of the misdemeanor charge in the death of 17-year-old Hunter Brittain during a June 23 traffic stop outside Cabot, a city of about 26,000 people roughly 30 miles (48 kilometers) northeast of Little Rock.

The maximum jail term that Davis, a former sergeant with the Lonoke County sheriffs office, faced was one year. Manslaughter is a felony for which he would have faced between three and 10 years in prison. The Arkansas Democrat-Gazette reported that Davis also was sentenced to a $1,000 fine.

Davis remains free on bond pending an appeal.

Davis, who is white, told investigators he shot Brittain once in the neck during the stop outside an auto repair shop after the teen exited his truck and reached into the bed of the pickup while failing to comply with Davis' commands to show his hands, according to the arrest affidavit. A passenger and another witness testified they never heard Davis tell the teen to show his hands.

The jurys deliberations, which began Thursday afternoon and resumed Friday morning, lasted less than three hours total.

After the verdict was announced, Brittain's family and friends chanted justice for Hunter" outside the Army National Guard facility that was used for the trial, which began Tuesday.

Rebecca Payne, Brittain's grandmother, said family members wanted the deputy convicted of the felony to ensure he could not serve as a law enforcement officer again.

Now what's going to happen? Are people going to have to fear for their lives again?" she told reporters.

Davis was fired by Lonoke County Sheriff John Staley for not turning on his body camera until after shooting Brittain. The footage, presented at the trial, shows only the moments after it happened.

The passenger in Brittain's truck said he and the teen had been working on the pickup's transmission. Brittains family members have said he was grabbing a container that held antifreeze to place behind the trucks wheel to stop it from rolling backward. Investigators found no evidence of firearms in or near the truck.

Emotionally recounting the shooting, Davis testified Thursday that he thought the teen was grabbing for a gun.

I didnt get into this job to kill people, Davis said.

Attorneys Ben Crump and Devon Jacob, who represent Brittains family, criticized the sheriff for not firing Davis over the shooting itself. The civil rights attorneys, who also represented George Floyd's family after Minneapolis police killed him in May 2020, said: Hunter deserved better."

The jurys decision is a declaration that an Arkansas law enforcement officer, in full uniform, unlawfully killed Hunter Brittain," the attorneys said in a written statement.

Robert Newcomb, Davis' attorney, said he was pleased jurors didn't find his client guilty of manslaughter but planned to challenge the standard they used to determine whether he was negligent.

The police officer has a lot more situational awareness of a danger than maybe your or I would be aware of," Newcomb told The Associated Press in a telephone interview.

The sheriff said he respected the jurys decision.

As I have said since day one, this was a tragic event and we all need to continue praying for those involved, Staley said in a statement posted on his offices Facebook page.

Brittain was eulogized last year by the Rev. Al Sharpton, as well as Jacob and Crump. They said the teens death highlighted the need for interracial support for changes in policing.

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Arkansas deputy convicted in teen's death, gets year in jail - ABC News

Mayor Tony Vauss Delivers State of the Township Address

IRVINGTON- On Thursday, February 24, 2022, Irvington Mayor Tony Vauss held his eighth State of the Township Address at Transcend Worship Center located at 971 Clinton Avenue in Irvington, New Jersey to a crowd filled with Irvington residents, members of Vauss administration, local elected officials and community leaders.

At the address, Mayor Vauss presented videos that showcased some of the achievements made by his administration over the past4years. Also true to his usual style, Mayor Vauss had two lively gospel performances by Dale Ciceron and Jekalyn Carr and the Irvington High School band and dancers.

The highlight of the evening was the Mayor and the Superintendent of Schools, Dr. April Vauss presentation of awards given to each and every player, coach, manager and athletic director of the Irvington High School football team, who were 2021 state champions. Mayor Vauss also held a parade through the Township for the team and coaches earlier this year.

The biggest surprise of the evening was remarks and the presentation of an award by Reverend Al Sharpton to Mayor Vauss. The award was presented on behalf of the National Action Network for Mayor Vauss excellence as an elected official. Mayor Tony is rare. If we could use the model that is in Irvington and bring it around the country where people of different races and colors and religions can learn to be together and be a community, said Sharpton. Sharpton further proclaimed, I respect this Mayor, and I respect what he is doing in this town. What you are doing in Irvington is rare. . . This is a city on the rise, and you cant rise unless you have a leader that is about rising. The reason I like Vauss is because hes got that get up spirit.

The evening also included the promotion of Irvington police officers, an appearance by the Irvington High School JROTC and a book signing by Sharpton.

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Mayor Tony Vauss Delivers State of the Township Address - InsiderNJ