Teachers sue to join union without paying for political activities

Howard Blume Los Angeles Times
Teachers sue to join union without paying for political activities. Unions claim new suit is attempt to weaken them in the name of protecting teacher rights. The firm behind a case that could limit teacher job protections is now taking on issues with union dues. Another in the endless string of anti-union, anti-teacher lawsuits that pretend to protect worker rights.

Obama Could Face Another Disastrous Summit Due to Sanctions Against Venezuela

Mark Weisbrot Venezuelanalysis.com
What the sanctions made clear is that President Obama’s opening to Cuba represented exactly zero change in Washington’s overall strategy toward the region: The intention of expanding commercial and diplomatic relations with Cuba was mainly to pursue a more effective strategy of undermining the Cuban government--and all of the left governments in the region.

How To Destroy A Black Life: A Step-By-Step Guide

Aurin Squire Talking Points Memo
Getting captured on film was the only "mistake" police officer Michael Thomas Slager made when he killed Walter Scott. Otherwise, he did everything by the book, and likely would never have been charged.

Burkina Faso: Liberation not looting

Firoze Manj Red Pepper (UK)
The mass movement that forced the resignation of Burkina Faso's government last October has been neither diverted nor defeated as shown by recent protests that led to the resignation of the current government. They are inspired by the desire for development of the country’s productive forces, which implies liberation, emancipation, hope and human progress, given voice by Thomas Sankara before his assassination in October 1987.

Friday Nite Videos -- April 10, 2015

Portside
Keb Mo: Honky Tonk Women. John Oliver: Government Surveillance. Manu Chao -- "El Viento". 7 Reasons to Raise the Minimum Wage to $15. More Horrific Police Violence Filmed.

Honky Tonk Women

Playing for Change gets together Keb' Mo' and Mermans Mosengo to produce this slow, bluesy version of "Honky Tonk Women"

John Oliver: Government Surveillance

There are very few government checks on what America’s sweeping surveillance programs are capable of doing. John Oliver sits down with Edward Snowden to discuss the NSA, the balance between privacy and security, and dick-pics.

Manu Chao -- "El Viento"

Twelve Hondurans who have been mutilated by “La Bestia” - the immigration journey north - tell their stories. They want to share their stories with President Barack Oabama and ask him to end deportations.