The show notes for Episode 67 are at http://www.eclectablog.com/2018/01/episode-67-theres-so-much-healing-possible-but-the-wounds-are-still-there-an-interview-with-the-first-woman-to-speak-out-about-larry-nassar.html
Listen to Rachael Denhollander on Episode 31 of the Burn It All Down podcast HERE.
Christopher Haxel and Matt Mencarini at the Lansing State Journal: Rachael Denhollander: ‘MSU officials silenced’ Larry Nassar’s victims
Stephanie Wang at the Indy Star: ‘I knew what the cost would be’: Why sexual assault victims stay silent
Nicole Chavez and Eric Levenson at CNN: Ex-USA Gymnastics doctor apologizes, pleads guilty to criminal sexual conduct
The Good:
Democrats in the minority are still working on the issues that matter to Americans. Using Michigan as the example, here are some of the issues they have been working on for the past six months:
August – House, Senate Dems Take on Excessive Prescription Drug Costs
Under the House and Senate plan, a Prescription Drug Consumer Protection Board would be established, composed primarily of consumer advocates, to protect Michigan consumers from unjustified price increases.
September – House Democrats Urge Civil Service Commission to Reject Rule Changes
The Michigan House Democratic Caucus and Michigan Legislative Black Caucus sent letters to the Michigan Civil Service Commission last week that ask commissioners to reject proposed rule changes that would rob state employees of many of their workers’ rights. Changes include ending civil servants’ ability to negotiate items such as overtime pay, seniority and grievances.
October – House, Senate Democrats Move to Prevent Wage Theft
House and Senate Democrats announced their plan to Prevent Wage Theft today to make sure workers get what they’ve earned. A report from the Economic Policy Institute earlier this year found that Michigan workers across all demographic groups are losing $429 million every year as a result of wage theft which includes paying less than minimum wage, failing to pay overtime, working off the clock, confiscating tips, misclassifying employees as independent contractors, or even failing to pay workers at all.
December – House Democratic Leader Sam Singh (D-East Lansing) support legislation protecting health care benefits for retired police and firefighters
House Democrats voted to protect the earned health care benefits of Michigan’s retired first responders. The recommendation of House Democrats to implement the reforms of the bipartisan Responsible Retirement Reform for Local Government Task Force was accepted.
December – House Dems Call for Immediate Action on Fund to Compensate UIA Victims
For nearly a year, House Democrats have called for restitution for individuals who were victims of the mismanaged Unemployment Insurance Agency. During that time, Gov. Rick Snyder has been adamant that victims should only be reimbursed for the principal, interest and penalties — nothing else. This week, Gov. Snyder reversed course, admitted responsibility and agreed that a fund should be created to provide UIA victims with damages to get their lives back on track. While Lansing Republicans chose to adjourn rather than take action to establish this fund or allocate resources, Michigan House Democrats remain committed to working families and called for immediate action on legislation to address this issue when they return to session in January.
The Bad:
Masood Farivar at VOA News: Hate Crimes Rise in 9 Major US Cities in 2017, Preliminary Data Show
Masood Farivar at VOA News: FBI: Hate Crimes Increased by 4.6 Percent in 2016
Ashley Southall at The New York Times: Crime in New York City Plunges to a Level Not Seen Since the 1950s
The Shrugly ¯\_(ツ)_/¯:
George Lakoff and Gil Durán at The Sacramento Bee: Trump is using Twitter to manipulate the country. Here’s how to stop falling for it
Lakoff Twitter storm:
Trump uses social media as a weapon to control the news cycle. It works like a charm. His tweets are tactical rather than substantive. They mostly fall into one of these four categories. pic.twitter.com/XaK8tCpRy6
— George Lakoff (@GeorgeLakoff) January 3, 2018
We have the power stop him. But we must stop letting him control our media — and our minds. It’s time to give Trump a Twitter Time Out. Let’s shrink him down to size. Let’s take this weapon out of his hands. pic.twitter.com/TlBUAWHvsu
— George Lakoff (@GeorgeLakoff) January 3, 2018
FLINT UPDATE
Associated Press: 4 Flint schools have elevated lead levels in water
Leonard N. Fleming at the Detroit News: DEQ Flint criminal hearings loom after 18-month delay
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Music clips
Intro and Outro music: Zoolookologie by Jean-Michel Jarre
Everything in it’s Right Place by Radiohead
Orange by James Mitchell Nash
Unclaimed by Mike Wagner/Total Strangers
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