Friends,Now, more than ever, independent journalism has become the last firewall against government and corporate lies. Yet, with frightening regularity, independent media sources are losing funding, closing down or being blacked out by Google and Facebook. Never before has independent media been more endangered. If you believe in Common Dreams, if you believe in people-powered independent media, please support our critical Winter campaign now and help us fight—with truths—against the lies that would smother our democracy. Please help keep Common Dreams alive and growing. Thank you. -- Craig Brown, Co-founder

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Using debris from the obliterated homes all around them to put a trenchant, gritty spin on the ubiquitous ALS Ice Bucket Challenge, Palestinians have created the #Rubble Bucket Challenge - also the #DustBucketChallenge and #RemainsBucketChallenge - to highlight the massacre in Gaza and ask for worldwide solidarity "to pressure Israel to stop this genocidal act." The videos, which invariably note there's no water nor electricity to make ice cubes, range from the light-hearted to the somber, like the moving tribute to those lost from Palestinian singer Mohammad Assaf. The challenges don't ask for material aid - though that too is desperately needed - arguing "money will not bring the so many innocent souls back to life." Like the recent posting of the names of over 500 children killed in the assault, they make the modest, harrowing request we simply see, and hear, and speak up against the violence.

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Journalist Ayman al-Alul, one of the creators of the Rubble Bucket Challenge

THE LAST FIREWALL AGAINST THE LIES

Independent media has become the last firewall against government and corporate lies. Yet, with frightening regularity, independent media sources are losing funding, closing down or being blacked out by Google and Facebook. Never before has independent media been more endangered. If you believe in Common Dreams, if you believe in people-powered independent media, please support our critical Winter campaign now and help us fight—with truths—against the lies that would smother our democracy. Please help keep Common Dreams alive and growing.

Further

Americans spent President's Day wishing we had one, honoring the 44 former actual ones we did have along with a few fictional contenders - Vote For Lisa Simpson! - and marching to protest the sick hollow shell of a human being now occupying a once-lofty office. Meanwhile, after just one ugly, tattered, inept, felonious year in office, The Cheeto has already been declared by 170 political pundits the worst president in history. What a surprise. Said no one ever.