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In modern English, sycophant denotes an "insincere flatterer" and is used to refer to someone practising sycophancy (i.e., insincere flattery to gain advantage). The word has its origin in the legal system of Classical Athens. Most legal cases of the time were brought by private litigants as there was no police force and only a limited number of officially appointed public prosecutors. By the fifth century BC this practice had given rise to abuse by "sycophants": litigants who brought unjustified prosecutions.[1] The word retains the same meaning ('slanderer') in Modern Greek,[2] French (where it also can mean 'informer'), and Italian. In modern English, the meaning of the word has shifted to its present usage.

The author was trying to shield themselves from the despair of political doomscrolling by reading books, but was dismayed to learn of Trump's plans to declare a national emergency and use the military to carry out mass deportations of undocumented immigrants. The author speaks with anti-imperialist veteran friends who remind them that this is not the first time Trump has threatened to deploy the military against immigrants, and that actually carrying out such a plan would be a logistical and legal nightmare, requiring a massive expansion of the prison system at immense cost. The author argues that the only reasonable response for active-duty soldiers is to refuse to carry out these immoral orders, drawing parallels to the G.I. resistance during the Vietnam War. They advocate reviving networks of support like "G.I. coffeehouses" to provide a space for soldiers to organize and resist. Experts emphasize that troops have a moral responsibility to disobey illegal and immoral orders, and that immigrants are not the true enemy - it is the ruling class elite who are stealing from the working class. The author acknowledges the impulse to retreat into escapism, but argues that now is the time to collectively challenge these dangerous policies.

The article discusses the response of liberal organizations like the ACLU to Trump's election in 2016, and how their messaging was ineffective at mobilizing people to take meaningful action. It criticizes Democratic politicians in Washington state for making symbolic declarations against "hate" while simultaneously enacting policies that harm marginalized communities. The piece argues that the U.S. government, under either party, is fundamentally committed to projects of empire, militarism, and oppression, and that voting or working within the system cannot address the urgent global crises we face. Instead, the author advocates for direct action, mutual aid, and other grassroots efforts to support and defend vulnerable communities, rather than relying on policy solutions or the courts to save us. The article emphasizes the need to divest from trying to reform U.S. institutions, and instead focus on caring for each other and attacking the infrastructures of violence and extraction. It acknowledges the risks of increased repression, but argues that resistance and bold action at the local level is our best hope for creating material change. Ultimately, the text concludes that we must let go of the fantasy that the U.S. government can be made to care for us, and instead devote ourselves to the unglamorous but vital work of supporting each other and building alternative forms of collective resilience and resistance. The stakes are high, but the author believes this is the only viable path forward.

Jamal Simmons, a former communications director for Kamala Harris, made an unlikely suggestion on CNN's "State of the Union" about how the vice president might still have a chance of becoming president in 2024. Simmons proposed that Biden could resign the presidency in the next 30 days, which would make Harris the president of the United States. Simmons argued that this move would keep Harris from having to oversee "her own defeat" when the presidential election is certified in the Senate, and "it would dominate the news at a point where Democrats have to learn" to grab the public's attention. However, there is no evidence that Biden would consider leaving office before the end of his term. Others have joked about Biden clearing a potential path for Harris, such as a co-host of "Pod Save America" saying that Jimmy Carter, who has been in hospice care for over a year, had said he was hanging on to vote for Harris. Simmons said that this would be a moment "to change the entire perspective of how Democrats operate," but not everyone on the panel was convinced, with one saying Simmons was "writing the new season of 'House of Cards.'"

As the 2024 presidential election approaches, the Kamala Harris campaign has taken a rightward shift in an attempt to appeal to disaffected Republican voters. Harris has embraced bipartisanship, including teaming up with former Republican Rep. Liz Cheney, and has moved towards more conservative positions on issues like immigration and fracking. However, this strategy has so far failed to gain significant traction with voters. One notable omission from Harris's campaign messaging is any support for Lina Khan, the chair of the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) who has taken an aggressive stance against corporate monopolies. Despite Khan's popularity with both progressives and some MAGA Republicans, there are rumors that Harris could push for her removal if elected, likely due to pressure from billionaire donors to her campaign who have clashed with Khan. This episode highlights the influence of wealthy corporate interests in U.S. politics, even as Harris tries to fashion herself as a champion of the working class. Ultimately, it seems that whichever candidate wins the presidency, the country's billionaires stand to benefit, as the "Country Over Party" slogan rings hollow.

As the 2024 presidential election approaches, climate change has emerged as a defining issue. During his 2020 campaign, President Joe Biden called climate change the "number one issue facing humanity" and pledged to put the U.S. on a path to net-zero emissions by 2050. However, emissions actually rose during the first two years of Biden's presidency, putting the U.S. off track to meet its climate goals. Vice President Kamala Harris's stance on climate issues has come under scrutiny as she readies a potential presidential run. As California's attorney general, Harris pursued some high-profile environmental prosecutions, but her record has been criticized by activists who say she focused on small violators while letting major polluters off the hook. Since becoming vice president, Harris has continued to champion climate action, though she has also shifted away from some of her more progressive positions, like a ban on fracking. The political realities of the 2024 election loom large, as Harris may need to appeal to swing state voters in places like Pennsylvania and Michigan, major fossil fuel and manufacturing hubs. This dynamic reflects a broader trend within the Democratic Party, as the prospect of passing sweeping climate legislation has become more remote. The ultimate shape of the 2024 electoral map may determine whether addressing climate change remains a top priority for Democrats going forward.

The battle against the Atlanta Public Safety Training Center, dubbed "Cop City" by opponents, continues as activists organize various actions to delay and stop the construction of the militarized police facility. Investigations into the sabotage of construction equipment have led to activists being targeted with threatening tactics, including grand jury subpoenas. One activist, Cyprus Hartford, was served a subpoena while on tour, compelling their testimony in an arson investigation related to the Cop City project. Grand juries are a powerful tool of state repression, as they suspend many legal protections and can be used to compel testimony that could incriminate activists and their communities. Hartford refused to comply with the subpoena, citing the undemocratic nature of grand juries and the need to protect their fellow activists. The strong support network and community solidarity that Hartford was able to tap into allowed them to successfully have the subpoena quashed, highlighting the importance of activists standing together against grand jury repression. The article emphasizes the need for activists to communicate about grand jury summons and to maintain a united, strong, and unafraid front in the face of state efforts to silence the movement against Cop City.

On one of the most consequential nights in the 2024 presidential race, the fate of our entire planet received all of 120 seconds. In fact, Harris several times praised the expansion of oil and gas development under President Joe Biden’s administration and doubled down on her promise not to ban fracking. Vice President Kamala Harris and former President Donald Trump were each allotted one minute to discuss their plans for fighting the climate crisis during the September 10 presidential debate.

Side-by-Side Comparison Chart of Presidential Canidates

With the president's decision to drop out of the race, he has effectively begun a longer lame-duck period, which is historically when most presidential clemency grants have occurred.

Vice President Kamala Harris has claimed that the Biden-Harris administration has led to the largest increase in domestic oil production in history due to a recognition that we cannot over rely on foreign oil. This statement, which contradicts the bipartisan claims that they are champions in the fight to slow global warming, surprised supporters and opponents alike. The Biden-Harris administration has set a target to reduce US greenhouse gas emissions by 50% by 2030 and accelerate renewable energy projects. Some environmental groups have criticized Harris's comments for missing a critical opportunity to show young voters she will fight for climate action.

The presidential election in Pennsylvania is shaping up to be crucial, with both the Trump and Harris campaigns spending over $130 million on advertising in the swing state. However, the narrative that Pennsylvanians are overwhelmingly in favor of the controversial practice of hydraulic fracturing, or "fracking," for oil and gas is not entirely accurate. Polls show that a majority of Pennsylvanians actually oppose fracking, with concerns over its harmful impact on human health, the climate, and the environment. The natural gas industry in Pennsylvania has also been declining in recent years, accounting for less than 1% of the state's jobs. Some politicians, like Rep. Summer Lee, have won elections on an anti-fracking platform, demonstrating that it is not the "make-or-break" issue that the media portrays it to be. Despite the growing public awareness and opposition to fracking, the media continues to perpetuate the idea that it is a key issue for Pennsylvania voters. This oversimplification overlooks the grassroots efforts that have been working to educate the public and pass local ordinances to protect communities from the harms of fracking. As the election approaches, it is important to listen to what Pennsylvanians truly want and continue the crucial work of addressing the environmental and health concerns associated with this controversial practice.