Portside

Once you discover that you can, then you must. And it's not easy. You have to take direct steps. You really have to count your blessings and you have to make a decided effort to not get seduced by the blues. -- Al Jarreau

Membership in the Democratic Socialists of America is way up – now, can the group become a major force against Trump?

Today is Darwin Day (Charles Darwin was born February 12, 1809). A new book explores Darwin's public and private views on women. Apparently his views on women had not evolved as far as his views on the origin and development of life.

In April, Turkish voters will vote in a national referendum designed to deliver unprecedented power to President Recip Erdogan. Yet, the most articulate opponent of this “executive presidency” is in custody facing an indictment on “terrorism” and a 143-year jail term. And the trial of Selahattin Demirtas, Turkey’s premier Kurdish politician and leader of the progressive opposition to the increasingly authoritarian Erdogan won’t be held until after the referendum.

FCCPR, a grass-roots effort that morphed out of the Pioneer Valley for Bernie (Sanders) organization last summer, turned its emphasis from "get out the vote" to long-range issues. "We said, 'We'll stick together and work on issues long-term,'" said Cohen. Seven task forces have been meeting every couple of weeks to actively advance their seven areas of concern, including civil rights, education, electoral politics and workers' rights.

The structure of Vistalegre II (citizens' assembly) is mainly focused on three major votes that will decide the party’s political makeup — the election of its 62-member, country-wide Citizens Assembly, the election of the General Secretary and adoption of four main documents that relate to party’s organisation, political orientation, ethics and gender equality.

The web of conflicts that has enveloped the Trump administration has ensnared the pipeline project, too. The Guardian has reported that Trump has invested in the company building the pipeline, and that Energy Transfer Partners' CEO Kelcy Warren contributed both to Trump's presidential campaign and the Republican National Committee.

A free on-line course for organizing in your workplace.

"Salting" built the early American labor movement -- and it can revive it today.

For Valentine's Day, Philadelphia poet David Moolten's poem--for better or worse--says it all.