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2019/40 – Whiner of the Week – Susan Buchanan

191009-Susan Buchanan, an Oak Park Illinois trustee berated her fellow trustees for speaking on racial equity by telling them they have been "White From Birth"

This weeks Whiner of the Week is Susan Buchanan, a Trustee at the Village of Oak Parks Board of Health.  The incident deserving of further review involved a Oct 7th meeting where she confronted her fellow white, male, commission members.   By basically saying their views didn’t matter because they were, er, White Males.

This incident was reported in West Cook News and included some video footage of accusing her fellow members of being white.  It was also reported in the Blaze.

Speaking to Oak Park Mayor Anan Abu-Taleb, a Palestinian immigrant, Buchanan said “Your skin is light enough. Stop it!“.  He is a few shades darker then the other board members, but Susan grouped him in with the pasty white men.

Fellow Trustee stated, Dan Moroney replying to Susan Buchanan, “I think if we reduce these conversations to ‘nobody cares because you are a white male,’ I don’t think we’re doing this right,“.

The following video explains the jist of this weeks pick.  It starts with Mayor Anan Abu-Taleb, a Palestinian immigrant, talking to Dan Moroney.  Susan Buchanan explodes a bit and goes on a diatribe for a bit.  In closing she accuses Anan Abu-Taleb of being white enough.

In Closing

Some might say Susan is right, these two men can’t possibly get it.  But she appears to be a pasty white woman of privilege, the Mayor, a Palestinian immigrant has probably had a rougher time in life then she ever did.

Today’s Racism is about how many points you get.  Obviously the old school White Male is at the bottom of today’s social ladder and is incapable of thought.  A white woman appears to be a notch above that.  But it appears, to me, that a Palestinian Immigrant has rights over a white woman in our new Woke way of thinking.

Just my perception on where things are headed.

But Susan Buchanan, a woman of privilege, should restrain her emotions.  Susan Buchanan is an MD, M.P.H and was elected to the board in April of 2019.

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Globalization News – 2019-11

Apple agrees to show Crimea as part of Russia on Apple Apps

191127-Apple Inc agreed with Russia to show the Crimean penisula as Russian, versus Ukraine on it's apps. Google shows no ownership, but uses Russian place names instead of Ukrainian.

191127-The South China Sea Morning Post reported that Apple agreed with Russia to show Crimea, annexed in 2014, as part of Russia on it’s apps.

Google does not identify Crimea as belonging to Ukraine or Russia, however, it uses Russian place names on it’s map.

Older Globalization News
Newer Globalization News

Judge Shelley Joseph charged with Obstruction of Justice for arranging for a defendant to leave out a back door

191116-Judge Shelly Joseph apparently afraid of ICE detaining a defendant, instructs the clerk to turn of the audio recording, the defendant is then escorted out a back door.

191116-The New York Times reported that Judge Shelley Joseph is being charged with Obstruction of Justice for helping an undocumented immigrant escape detention. She refused a plea deal that allowed her to avoid prosecution.

Her conversation with the defendant was being recorded and she is heard telling the clerk to turn off the audio recorder.  In the end the defendant is let out the back door.  He is later arrested and awaiting a deportation hearing.  He has previously been deported in 2003 and 2007.

Bed Bath and Beyond pulls Jack-O'-Laterns after complaints in Nyack, NY

191021 – The Westchester.new12.com reported that Bed Bath and Beyond removed their Halloween display because the Jack-O’-Laterns upset some community members.

They were painted black with white mouths.  Local NAACP Director Wilbur Aldridge says it shows an “extreme lack of sensitivity.”

Dior Apologizes to China for showing a map of China without Taiwan

191016 – Bloomberg reported a Chinese student challenged a Dior recruiter at a recruiting event in China.

Dior had shown a video that had a map of China that didn’t include Taiwan.

Dior apologized and stated that it respects the One China Principle.

Approximately 300 birds ram NASCAR Hall of Fame windows in Charlotte

191016 - 310 birds fly into the NASCAR Hall of Fame building. The Cornell Lab of Ornithology says about 1 billion birds in the United States die each year after flying into windows.

191016 – The Charlotte Observer reported that in a scene reminiscent of the Alfred Hitchcock’s The Birds, over 310 birds slammed into the NASCAR Hall of Fame.

 

Vietnam pulls the Movie Abominable from Theaters after disputed border shown

China's 9-10 dash, since expanded to surround Taiwan. Parcels were Vietnams. The Phillippines, Brunei, Malaysia, Vietnam and others were thought to have controlled the Spratly's. (Harvard Law)

191014  – The Los Angeles Times reported that Vietnam pulled the movie Abominable from  theaters as it showed a map of China with China’s Nine Dash Line.

Vietnam, and a number of other nations have disagreed with  China on their nine dash line.

The film studio went out of their way to appeal to the Chinese movie market.

Apple is hiding Taiwan's flag emoji if you are Hong Long or Macau

191007-Apple iPhone using the IOS released in September will not be shown the Taiwanese flag if the user is in Hong Kong or Macau.

191007 – TheVerge reported that when Apple released it new phone operating system in September, they added the ability to not show a Taiwan flag is the user is in Hong Kong or Macau.

If a message contains the icon, it will still display, but it won’t be show as an option to type in new messages.

Federal Customs Agents seized 1million pounds of Chinese pork infected with African Swine Fever

190319-AgWeb reported 1 million pounds of infected Chinese pork was intercepted at a New Jersey port. There was a concerted effort to conceal the product. (AgWeb)

191003-AgWeb reported back in March that Customs agents in New Jersey intercepted contaminated pork.  50 shipping containers contained the pork in incorrectly marked packaging.

China has lost half their pig population to this disease this past year.  If this disease were to make it into the US pig population similar death rates could occur.

Samsung Closes It's Last Smartphone Factory in China

201002 – The GMSArena reported that Samsung closed it’s last smartphone factory in China. 

Previously the Huishou factory made 64 million phones in 2017.   It’s China market share had shrunk to 1% as local cheaper phones took over the market.

190926-The "OK" hand symbol was recently added to a growing list of hate symbols as some think it is a symbol of White Supremacy. (getty)

190926-USA Today reported that Anti-Defamation League added the OK Hang Sign is one of the items being added to a growing database of items that should be restricted

The Chicago Tribune reported  that an Oak Park River Forest High School recently decided to reprint it’s yearbook at a cost of $54K because some students were inadvertently displaying this newly evil symbol.

Attempt to Ban the "OK" hand sign underway has it is added to a growing list of hate symbols

Rhianna, a popular singer, at times sports a "Bowl Cut" which is now a racist symbol according to the ADL (Anti-Defamation League) Will she change and never wear this haircut again? BTW-She looks nice in it.

190926-The Rolling Stone also reported that a “Bowl” haircut is now a documented symbol of Racism.

The Anti-Defamation League recently updated it’s website to give Globalists guidance on appearance, wording, and symbols to use or avoid.

What will Angela Merkel do?

With the OK symbol being outlawed, will divers have to rethink their communication techniques?
Is this how it came to be? 20 years from now will this haunt people with old pictures? Some have said, if you use your right hand, is means "Washington Post", can you see it?
The classic bowl cut, will this new thought cause Angela Merkel, chancellor of Germany to change her do?

San Francisco Board of Supervisors votes Unanimously to Brand the NRA, "A Terrorist Organization"

2011-07-04 A 4th of July Parade in Alameda, across the bay from San Francisco. The NRA float, part of a flotilla that stretched 3.3 miles (timeTravelTurtle.com)
Homelessness in San Fran and Oakland, caused them to be named as the only two US cities on a UN watchlist. Meanwhile the Board of Sups, is interested in conflict with the NRA (sfchronicle.com)

190903-Townhall reported that the San Francisco Board of Supervisors as passed a resolution declaring the National Rifle Association a “domestic terrorist organization” and urged the federal government to do the same.

An unanswered question is whether SF will discharge employees who are members of this “terrorist organization”. 

Is AntiFa okay, but the NRA not?

What is the endgame here? 

San Francisco and Oakland are the two cities in America that the United Nations states violates human rights.

 

Democratic Presidential Candidate states "the Left is Mean"

Marianne Williamson, one of the Democrat candidates for the 2020 Presidential nomination. She is an author and Oprah Winfrey's 'spiritual advisor. (Campaign Website)
Marianne Williamson, one of the Democrat candidates for the 2020 Presidential nomination. She is an author and Oprah Winfrey's 'spiritual advisor. (Campaign Website)

190903-The New Yorker reported about an interview with Marianne Williamson, a Democrat Presidential Candidate.

“I know this sounds naïve,” she complains, but “I didn’t think the left was so mean. I didn’t think the left lied like this.”

Her campaign focuses less on the battle of politics, but more on the battle of souls.

Australian Vegan suing her neighbor to stop their "smelly" barbecues

190902-Cilla Carden of Perth has taken her smelly noisy neighbors all the way to the Australian Supreme Court in her fight to ban smelly barbecues. Expect to see more of these cases as courts are nominally the easiest avenue to effect change. Condo owners with balconys, beware! (scallywaganvagabond.com)

190902 – 9NEWS reported, Australia, that a Perth Australia Vegan resident has taken her neighbors all the way to the Australian Supreme Court in an effort to stop in from barbecuing in his backyard.

The Vegan Massage Therapist is also upset at cigarette smoke wafting into her yard, and the sound of children playing basketball.

The Supreme Court sided with the neighbors but Ms Carden vows to try again.

The Poorest 20% of Americans are richer then the average Canadian?

JustFacts.com reported that an aggregate of the the lowest 20% of Americans, consume, in goods and services, more then the average, 50%, of other nations. (justfacts.com)
JustFacts.com applied the lowest 20% metric against some third world developing countries and the disparity becomes more pronounced. (justFact.com)

190901-The Washington Examiner reported on a 190826 article from JustFacts.com that if America’s poorest 20% were a nation of their own, this 20% would still rank higher in the consumption of good and services then most nation averages.

The article appears to be written to counter a New York Times video which stated that the US has more in common with developing nations then we would like to think.

Unfortunately NYT’s opinion pieces seem to differ from what some of the poorer residents from these counties think given the desire for immigration.

Cathay Pacific employees who support Hong Kong Protesters cannot work Mainland China Routes

Cathay Pacific in better times, a June 13, 2014 photo of 1600 pandas on a world tour. (australia.ebtravelnews)

190827-The Economist reported that Hong Kong’s biggest Airline, Cathay Pacific was ordered by China’s aviation authority to disallow any crew supporting the protestors from flying mainland China routes.

Cathay said it would comply leaving it open to being termed “Pro-China”.

CBS reported that the CEO, Rupert Hogg is stepping down. Additionally, Rebecca Sy, head of the Cathay Dragon flight attendant’s association, her Facebook account  included messages in favor of the protests.

Systems like PatronScan attempt to match China's Social Credit System (SCS) for Nightclub entry

A Patron Scan kiosk that could be found at a bar entry. The customer would present their ID for scanning and a face shot is taken. A PatronScan database is checked and the user is cleared or denied. No need for courts and lawyers as the systems handles it all. Law enforcement may be less and less about laws and leagality, and more about end-user license agreements. (patronScan.com)

190826-The Sacramento Bee reported on local nightclubs increased use of PatronScan application to screen patrons.  The PatronScan database maintains a list of objectionable previously removed for inappropriate activity.

If a customer has a complaint, he or she can visit the kiosk, sift thru customer photos of the night, and tag that perpetrator.  If the club staff desires, the perpetrator can then be banned from other establishment with ProScan.  No need for lawyer and court time.

FastCompany reported that similar systems are in place for Uber and AirBnb.  As Cities prosecute and less and less Silicon Valley is stepping in to provide a more secure environment.

The Palestinian Authority bans LGBT activities in the West Bank

190731-The Jerusalem Post reported that a planned event by the group Al-Qaws, a Sexual & Gender Diversity Group in Palestinian Society, at the end of August, in the town of Nablus, could not take place. (Jerusalem Post)

190818-The Washington Examiner reported that the Palestinian Authority has banned LGBT activities in the West Bank.  A group call Al-Quaws for Sexual & Gender Diversity planned to hold a gathering at the end of August in the city of Nablus.

Luay Zreikat, spokesperson for the Palestinian Authority Police, told the Jerusalem Post that activities from the organization are “harmful to the higher values and ideals of Palestinian society.” and that groups activities were completely “unrelated to religions and Palestinian traditions and customs, especially in the city of Nablus.”

Health Tourism on the Rise - US Doctor or Local?

190818-Medical tourism is on the rise as patients & doctors have travel costs reimbursed, and doctors can get multiples of the Medicare reimbursement rates.

190818-Kaiser Health News reported on woman from Mississippi, and her doctor from Milwaukee, whom she never had met before, met in Cancun for knee surgery.  He was paid $2,700, three times what Medicare would reimburse him for.

Why, Hospital costs in the US are expensive.

She had no co-pays, travel costs were reimbursed, and got a $5K payment for her troubles, whoa!

Her doctor, Dr. Thomas Parisi is affiliated with NASH, an organization that pools doctors for practice outside the US.
Have a complex medical treatment with high co-pays? An option may be to have it done in another country. With a local doctor, or with a US doctor looking to make more money then Medicare might reimburse for. Medicare for All? Right now Medicare is subsidized by private insurance.

Versace KowTows to China over T-Shirt mistake

190811-Yang Mi, a prominent Chinese Actress/Model, has quit Versace claiming one of the brands T-shirts broke China's "one China" policy, CNN reported.

190811-ABC reported that Versace, an Italian Fashion house, apologized today for selling T-shirts in China that provided incorrect country names for two Chinese Cities.  Yang Mi, a brand ambassador quit Versace over the flap.  The China Daily reported Yang’s statement:

“Versace is suspected of damaging China’s national sovereignty and territorial integrity, we as a company of the People’s Republic of China, and Yang being a citizen of the People’s Republic of China, we are deeply offended. The national sovereignty and territorial integrity is sacred and cannot be violated under any circumstances. It is the duty of all Chinese citizens to uphold the One-China principle and adamantly safeguard national unification,”

190811-Versace issued a formal apology and stated this T-Shirt is no longer for sale. It shows Hong Kong & Macau as not part of China. China does class them as "Special Administrative Regions" of China. With semi-autonomous governments from the mainland. This may change in the future. (cnn)
Donatella Versace - Worldwide Fashion Icon

Putin and Gavin Newsom Bromance? Both Ban Opposition Candidates

190810-Russian citizens protest in Moscow as Russian leaders banned opposition candidates. (reuters)

190810-Upto 60,000 people gathered in the rain to protest to demand fair elections in Russia the BBC reported. 

Socialist and Communists countries around the world have used the technique of barring candidacy to limit choice to what is considered, an appropriate candidate.

 

190730-Gavin Newsom in a bid to ban an opposition candidate, signed legislation requiring Presidential Canidates, "Trump", in California to release their taxes. The Governor, the House and Senate Legislature are not required to release their taxes. No protests occurred in Calif.

 The US Constitution states, candidates must be 35 year old, born in America, be natural born, and have 14 years of residency.

California appears to be adding requirements.  Expect a court challenge.  Will Primaries still be legal after this?

Bill Maher, HBO talking head, wants a Recession

190809-The following video shows Bill Maher, host of a show on HBO, stating he wants a recession in the US in order to harm the economy and force Trump supporters away from Trump.

The trouble is that means millions out of work.

 But more people with free time to be couch potato zombies, and of course, watch his show.

EU Poised to Put Warning Labels on Jewish-Made Products

BDS-(Boycott/Divest/Sanction), an anti-semitc movement is taking hold in the higher court of the EU. Goods from Jewish People from Israel would be labeled differently then if created by Muslims. The next step might be goods from China might say-China(One Child Policy), Russian Gas(Crimea Occupier) (reasonMagazine.com)

190808-The FreeBeacon reported this legal decision by the EU, is reminiscent of the beginning of the Holocaust-era boycotts Jews. The decision was seen as a win for the Anti-Semitic Boycott, Divestment, & Sanctions movement (BDS).

The decision if implemented would be subject to US Anti-Boycott laws.

A number of the EU member nations have, over the years, exhibited growing anti-Semitic views.

190727-The House voted on HR-246, and approved it in a strong bi-partisan fashion. It is a non-binding resoultion that condemns the BDS movement against Israel. Key Representatives voting against it included: Ocasio-Cortez, Alexandria, Omar, Ilhan, & Tlaib, Rashida. (C-Span)

Amazon, via it's contractors, employ children to meet American consumer needs

190809-Students on an internship at a Foxconn factory. Interns are paid 16.54/yuan/hr. About $1.93/hr. (Gethin Chamberlain/China Labor Watch)

190808-The Guardian reported that hundreds of students have been employed to make Amazon’s Alexa.

One student stated, “I tried telling the manager of my line that I didn’t want to work overtime. But the manager notified my teacher and the teacher said if I didn’t work overtime, I could not intern at Foxconn and that would affect my graduation and scholarship applications at the school.

Amazon needs to meet product targets to satisfy the American consumer.They also made the standard statement they would not tolerate labor violations.

 

Iran appears to be jamming GPS signals causing tankers to stray into their waters, justifying a seizure

190809-Ships sailing thru the Straits of Hormuz have experienced GPS navigation anomalies and could accidentally stray into Iranian waters. (associated pres)

190808-Business Insider reported that ships near Iran have reported GPS Interference. Additionally jamming of radio communications is also occurring.

Iran has also spoofed AIS transponders on it’s vessel’s to make them appear, electronically, to be another vessel.

 

Delta's ban on Pit-Bulls as service or support animals is disallowed by the US DOT

190808-The US DOT stated airlines could not ban specific breeds and this would include Pit Bulls. So this cuddly puppy, may be in a seat near you. Size and/or weight are still acceptable criteria for allowing "Emotional Support" animals on flights. The author has spent a number of flights sitting next to a passenger who requires their animal. A miserable experience.

190808-The Atlanta Journal Constitution reported the Dept of Transportation has stated it’s illegal to ban based on the breed of the animal.

Delta had instituted rules banning Pit-Bulls after a mauling by a 70 Ib dog.  Pit Bulls are totally banned in the UK so England may be a safe trip.

People have stated they need “Emotional Support” animals but the animals sometimes lash out in a strange environment.

SenseTime, a Chinese company has a suite of "Smart-City" survelliance tools useful for law enforcement

SenseTime Smart City Tool Suite allows tracking of objects of non interest, who may become an interest later in time. The Nikkei Asian Review reported that "The Chinese government has signaled its confidence in SenseTime as a major player in the AI race by providing access to vast troves of data," said Timothy Heath, senior international defense researcher at Rand Corp. (reuters)
190808-SenseTime tools, coupled with a high-resolution video camera can track, identify, and log multiple people, groups, cars, trucks, and other objects. (getty)

190808-The Nikkei Asian Review reported about SenseTime’s growing influence in surveillance and recognition technology.

New York City to start "Congestion Pricing" of $12 per car to drive in Lower Manhattan, Trucks/$25

190808-New York drivers will soon pay $12-14 for the luxury of drving in Manhattan, The plan goes into effect in 2021. (edf.org)

190808-The Environmental Defense Fund reported starting in 2021, drivers driving into Lower Manhattan will be asked to pay, “congestion pricing”, of $12/car, or $25/trucks.

The plan today is that a large part of this money would be used to repair New York’s aging subway system.  The thought is too shift the cost burden of paying for the subway to richer drivers.

City employees, driving city cars could benefit in the reduction of trip times.

Putin and Xi Jinping Bromance may encounter turbulence in Central Asia

190806-As the US winds down it's involvement in Afghanistan, China is upping it's presence in the Area. China shares a border with Afghanistan and as an interest in reducing local terrorism. China worries violence in Afghanistan coiuld spill into its Xinjiang province exacerbating issues with the regions militant Uighurs. (asia.nikkei.com)

190806-The Nikkei Asian Review reported that as China & Russia compete in Central Asia, China has been opening military bases in Afghanistan.  The US Military Times 1st reported this back in 2017.  As the US has reduced from 130K troops to about 14K today.

China shares a 46 mile long border with Afghanistan that was once part of the original Silk Road.  Long term Russia and China may have divergent interests in the region.

 

China Freezes Permits for Individual Travel to Taiwan

190805-As China attempts to crack down on dissidents in Hong Kong, it also has frozen permits for citizen travel to Taiwan blaming cross-strait relations reported the Nikkei Asian Review. Taiwan lies within the red zone that China declared as its own in 2012.

190805-The Nikkei Asian Review reported that China is freezing permits for individual travel to Taiwan.

Group travel is still considered to be okay by the mainland Chinese government.

Taiwan is only considered a separate country by 19 UN countries. 

Taiwan’s Presidents recent trip to New York may have been part of the timing for this move.

Global Illuminati Fly 114+ Private Jets to Italy to discuss Climate Change while Europeans start a "Flight-Shame" movement.

190804-While France is getting ready to slap an ECO-TAX on flights departing from France, and a growing European flight-shame movement to take trains for travel within Europe.  Global Elites have decided to fly 114 private planes to Palermo Italy airport to help save the planet.

Private jets have the highest greenhouse gas discharge per passenger/mile when compared to other modes of transport.

190731-The Global Elites avoid using Skype, GoToMeeting.com, or larger more efficient public airlines to fly up to 114 private jets to Palmermo for a "Climate Change" conference. Other attendees took their yachts. (lascilia.it)

Democratic Party blesses CNN with Aug 6/7 Debate Exclusive, big ad $

190727-Don Lemon & Anderson Cooper, both fixtures on CNN, nominally net $7-12K for a 30 second ad. The debates are a goldmine for whatever network the Democrat party blesses and CNN, down on viewers, is hoping to capitalize on them.
190727-Variety and the Washington Examiner reported CNN will offer ad-packages for the second set of democratic debates starting at $300K. Expect to see a lot of debates as they are a money maker.

190727-Variety and the Washington Examiner reported that CNN is seeking ad packages of $300K during the 2nd set of Democratic Debates.

The anticipated face off of Gloves Off Biden versus Kamala No Strings Attached has all the characteristics of a WWW bout.

The Democratic party only allowed MSNBC and Telemundo to air the first set. CNN expects to beat the audience participation of the first debates.

Apple requests tariff exemption after moving US production to China?

190723-While moving production of the Apple Pro from Austin, TX, to China, Apple has ask the Trump administration for a special tariff deal to help lower the end price even further. (Bloomberg)

190723-Bloomberg reported that Apple is requesting a special tariff deal after moving production from the US to China.  Bloomberg reported that Trump has promised relief if companies can show parts can only be obtained in China and aren’t strategically to Chinese industrial programs.  The previous Mac Pro has been produced in Austin since 2013.

Chicago Chamber of Commerce party has children battling an ICE Pinata

190723-At a Chicago chamber of commerce parents lined up with their children for a chance to knock a ICE officer pinata. Some thought the activity ignorant, disrepectful and teaching the young to hate. (CBS/Chicago)

190723-CBS(Chicago) reported that an east side chamber of commerce family event.  The Los Brown Berets brought an ICE agent pinata and constructed a painted face of Donald Trump to throw bean bags at.

The event was meant to be fun but now is creating factions within the community.

South Korea fires warning shots at Russian and Chinese aircraft

190723-This image released by Joint Staff, Ministry of Defense, shows Russian A-50 airborne early warning and control aircraft flying near the Korean-controlled island called Takeshima in Japanese Tuesday, July 23, 2019. Japan has protested to Russia for allegedly violating Japanese airspace and to South Korea for firing warning shots, 360 rounds, there. (Joint Staff, Ministry of Defense(Japan) via AP)

190723-Reuters reported that two Russian Tu-95, and two Chinese H-6 bombers, on a joint Chinese/Russian mission violated South Korean airspace  South Korea said it was the first time a foreign military plane had violated its airspace since the end of the 1950-53 Korean War.

South Korea is home to the last non-communist phone manufacturer, Samsung.

In 1983, the Soviet’s shot down a South Korean airline, killing 269 people, that strayed into Soviet Territory.

190723-This image released by Joint Staff, Ministry of Defense, shows a Chinese H-6 bomber which they said were flying near the Sea of Japan Tuesday, July 23, 2019. (Joint Staff, Ministry of Defense(Japan) via AP)
190723-This image released by Joint Staff, Ministry of Defense, shows a Russian Tu-95 bomber which they said were flying near the Sea of Japan Tuesday, July 23, 2019. (Joint Staff, Ministry of Defense(Japan) via AP)

Only 34 Foreign films allowed into China per year, filmmakers keep scripts "pure" to appease government

190723-The upcoming sequel to Top Gun, bowing to Chinese pressure had the Taiwan and Japanese flags removed. The photo on the left is from the original 86 movie. The flags on the bottom row are removed in the remake. The original Top Gun boosted US Navy aviation recruitment by 500%. (Business Insider/military.com)

190723-The South China Morning Post reported the 34 foreign film limit is quietly being raised.  Over 40 were allowed in for 2017.  But this number now includes other country films from US, India, South Korea, and France.

Hollywood has chosen profits and works hard to appease the Chinese government as the returns from the Chinese market are vast.  Fortune reported that talks to raise Hollywood’s margin from 24% to 28% have been ongoing.

City of Berkeley Calif bans Gender Specific Language from Ordinances

190718-Are these manhole covers a goner in Berkley, CA? Nope, no way! They are just going to be renamed "maintenance holes". Berkeley will be revising all documents and ordinances to replace all instances of gendered pronouns, such as “he” and “she” with “they,” according to the ordinance. The sponsor of the ordinance is Rigel Robinson, a 23 year old recent graduate of UC Berkeley. Critics have suggested the Council spend time on more important matters. (vozineias.com)

190718-A Sacramento CBS new outlet reported the city of Berkeley will be revising all documents and ordinances to replace all instances of gendered pronouns, such as “he” and “she” with “they,” according to the ordinance.

The city manager said in a letter to the mayor and city council.

“Having a male-centric municipal code is inaccurate and not reflective of our reality,” Robinson said. “Women and non-binary individuals are just as entitled to accurate representation. Our laws are for everyone, and our municipal code should reflect that.”

World Health Emergency #5(Ebola?)

July 14, 2019, an Ebola victim is put to rest at the Muslim cemetery in Beni, Congo DRC. The head of the World Health Organization is convening a meeting of experts Wednesday July 17, 2019 to decide whether the Ebola outbreak should be declared an international emergency after spreading to eastern Congo's biggest city, Goma, this week. More than 1,600 people in eastern Congo have died as the virus has spread in areas too dangerous for health teams to access. (AP Photo/Jerome Delay)

190717-AP News reported that the deadly Ebola outbreak in the Congo is now been declared an international health emergency by the World Health Organization (WHO) since it has now spread to a city, Goma, of 2M people.  This is only the 5th such declaration in history.  The first was Polio, many years ago.

The pastor who brought Ebola to Goma used several fake names to conceal his identity.  WHO is busy try to track contacts who were on the bus and may have met with him.

The Guardian reported that geographical region expansion is now 500km.

Government Paid Medical Tuition!

190716-Rob Morrow, playing Dr Joel Fleischman in the 90's TV show Northern Exposure. Since the state of Alaska paid his medical tuition, he needed to serve two years in Cicely, AL. The state of California is now paying doctors medical school tuition to get them to stay in or move to, and practice in Calif. They need to practice 5 years, and 30% of their clients must be MediCal patients.

190716-The Napa Valley Register reported the State Of California is paying off tuition bills for Doctors and Dentists if they agree to work in Calif for 5 years and that 30%of their caseloads be devoted to Medi-Cal patients.

In the article one dentist had his $300K tuition paid off, and, given Calif’s high tax rate, this is equivalent to $500K before tax income.  Or, equivalently an extra $100K a year.

Calif recently offered free health care to illegal immigrants 26 and under. But many Calif medical students leave the state after graduation.  Many more doctors are needed given the states population growth and sanctuary policies.

Swedes get chip implant for fast payments

190714-Swedish citizens are getting chip implants that allow them to buy products and gain keyless access to structures with chip readers. Forgot where you were yesterday? Log on and check! However some worry about privacy concerns. (nyPost)

190714-The New York Post reported that 4,000 Swedish citizens have had chips implanted enabling them to purchase items with just a swipe of their hands.  The chip has even replaced keycards allowing access to appropriate buildings.

Sweden has a goal of removing cash and moving towards electronic payment which leaves a trail.

And the US Flag comes down

190712-AURORA, CO, A protestor getting ready to replace the American flag with a Mexican colored flag. About 2,000 protesters, disturbed about possible federal immigration roundups this weekend in Denver, where an estimated 50,000 people live in the country illegally -- rallied Friday night at an ICE detention facility in Aurora. (Hyoung Chang/The Denver Post)

190712-The Denver Post reports that with Sundays deportations looming for migrants with deportation orders, anti-ICE protestors swarmed the Aurora, Colorado ICE Processing Center, passed the barrier and unlawfully replaced the American Flag with the Mexican colored Flag.

The plan was a peaceful protest, but then things changed.  A number of protesters were disillusioned at turn of events. There were no arrests.

190712 - AURORA, CO, A protester walks off with the American Flag removed from the flag pole of the ICE detention facility in Aurora. (Hyoung Chang/The Denver Post)

Feds say hackable video cams must go

190712-A Hikivision survelliance camera. ReFirm Labs, a cybersecurity firm, found the camera's have covert backdoors that allow unauthorized people to tap in and relay the information back to them. The cameras are "fine" for home use, but inside US government facilities the cameras create a nonstop security opening.

190712-We’ve all seen movies where the good guys tap into somebody’s video surveillance cameras.  Bloomberg reports the US government has a deadline of Aug 13th to remove all Chinese made surveillance cameras. 

The base cameras are re-branded by Honeywell and others.  The newer cameras contains clarity to enable external facial recognition algorithms to run providing a detailed flow of government employees.

Coast Guard rides Narco sub like a bull

190711-The video is of a Coast Guard crew, on small boats, running down a NARCO semi-submersible.  The capture netted 17K pounds of cocaine, worth $232M.  Drug running is getting more “James Bond” like.

Law Enforcement uses citizen video cam

190709-The Flock Cameras cost about $2K. If a crime is reported, local police can log in and traffic logs.

190709 – DeKalb County in Georgia will allow residents with private license plate reader cameras to be accessed by the local law enforcement.

190709-Flock Camera app logs license plate number of cars that pass by. The residents that have Flock cameras can now opt into the public-private partnership with the DeKalb County Police Department, at no cost to the county.

Amazon the new Sweat Shop?

190708-Even with Amazon pledging $15/hr wages, employees at the Shakopee, MN fullfillment center plan a 6 hr work stoppage on 7/15, a Prime Day. Minnesota’s Twin Cities region have become an epicenter of worker activism, led by East African Muslim immigrants. The work required for same day delivery is exhausting. (bloomberg.com)

Amazon workers plan a 6 hour strike on 7/15, an Amazon Prime Day.  Critics say it benefits from Tax Breaks as cities change their tax rules to benefit them.  Amazon uses a large number of temps and the production quotas to meet same day service has made the jobs unsafe.  With the economy booming workers are becoming bolder in their demands.  To show solidarity a number of white collar employees are flying in to support them.  Are Amazon fulfillment centers the new sweatshops?

White Folks (double price?)

190707-A Detroit musical festival, "AfroFuture Fest" pricing policy is $10 for people of color. $20 for non people of color(ie white). No method was defined for determining People of Color. (sky)

190707 – Early bird pricing for the AfroFuture Fest festival is $20 for white people, $10 for people of color.  After that, both prices double

Local rapper “Tiny Jag” pulled out of the festival once learning of the pricing policy.

 

Housing for the Proletariat, the future?

190706-Podshares, which goes as cheap as $1200 a month provide simple food in the fridge, and toothpaste. Elvina Beck(CEO), was born in the USSR. She "liked the idea of the government giving you everything in the communist state". So she created Podshare for the proletariat.

190706 – Podshare.com offers cheaper living in selected large cities provided you are ready to tolerate a commune type experience with a changing population.  With a booming population, driven by legal and illegal immigration, the scarcity of housing is driving prices higher.  Especially in cities.  The Urban Renewal of the past has morphed into today’s Gentrification.  An advantage of Podshares is that you can get housing in a number of cities.

190706-With podshare, you write your name on some of the pods with chalk. Some might call this just a tighter more lucrative boarding house. In the old days this might be called a flophouse. In Japan, they have taken this to the extreme with their "Capsule Hotel".
190706-Podshares in America definitely look luxurious compared to a Japanese Capsule Hotel. With the worlds population increasing, you may be seeing these in response to housing costs rising.

190706 – Podshares appear to be a great business model, given that millennial’s love for living in the city. It appears that 15-20 people living in a small flat, bunked submarine style, maybe the future. Everything is provided except for clothes, (maybe?). Cities have tight boundaries, as costs rise, you can expect competitors to this. In Japan this is called Capsule Living.

Congressional Migrant Coaching

  • 190705- Rep. Veronica Escobar, who took over Beto O’Rourke’s El Paso, TX, district, and the local Catholic diocese have interviewed thousands of migrants in Juarez over the past few weeks who have been deported. Under the bilateral Migration Protection Protocols, or “Remain in Mexico” policy, anyone returned must be fluent in Spanish because they may have to reside in Mexico up to five years until a U.S. federal judge decides their asylum claim. Escobar has been accused by some in coaching these people of telling them to be mute, effectively, thus they can remain in the US.

Is Starbucks a (safe space?)

Betsy Ross overtaken by 21st century thought

Two copies of the Betsy Ross flag are hung in the background of President Obama's 2nd inauguration in 2013.
Two copies of the Betsy Ross flag are hung in the background of President Obama's 2nd inauguration in 2013. The Betsy Ross flag was themed on Nikes 2019 July 4th celebration shoes that were cancelled after Nike exec's received notice from Colin Kapernick that the design was inappropriate.

<= OLDER

NEWER =>

190701-Nike execs, following guidance received from Colin Kapernick, who stated the Betsy Ross flag promoted slavery, removed their new shoes from store shelves. the shoes used the circular star pattern popular in the late 1700’s. Nike, based in Oregon, has been accused of profiting from Racial Injustice as it seeks to define it’s marketing niche. The shoes were to retail at $120, are now going for $2500 resale.

Nike's Betsy Ross Themed shoes removed from store shelves after Colin Kapernick suggested they reminded him of slavery.
Nike's Betsy Ross Themed shoes removed from store shelves after Colin Kapernick suggested they reminded him of slavery. The only people who should fear this flag are the Red Coats from the 18th century. We since made up with them. Nike and Colin Kapernick want to keep stirring the pot.

Does the Dalai Lama need Re-Education?

190627-In a move to raise the ire of some, the Dalai Lama says European migrants should return to their original lands. He stated in a BBC interview, “A limited number is OK, but whole Europe eventually become Muslim country? Impossible. Or African country? Also impossible,”. The leaders of the EU have in the past welcomed migrants from the Middle East and Africa.

NBA owners no longer own the team?

190624-The Commission of the NBA, Adam Silver, stated the league has decided to no longer uses the term “Owner” to describe owners of a given NBA team.   Racial sensitivity for the players was given as the reason.  New terms are “governor” or “alternate governor”.

Democratic Party Cherry Picks NBC as the Fairest in the Land

190618-The South Carolina Democratic Party announced that for this weekends event, where the 21 Democratic Presidential candidates are expected to speak, it will only allow MSNBC to provide live coverage. CNN, C-Span, and of course, Fox, will not be allowed to provide live coverage.

California (Free Health Care) unless you are a citizen

190610-California became the first state to offer Illegal Aliens health insurance if they fall below incomes standards. For a family of 4, up to $150K/year qualifies. Ages 19-26 qualify. California budgeted $98M for an estimate 90K residents that might qualify. $1088/year cost per person. Calif will tax citizens who don’t have health care to help pay for this new plan.

Wash DC Lesbian March Discriminates

Lesbians marched in Washington DC but the organizers banned the Jewish Pride Flag (AFP)
The Jewish Gay Pride flag that was banned from the DC Parade. In an interesting twist, commenters stated that this march could not be safely held in the Gaza/Palestine area. (AFP)

190609 – A Lesbian March in DC banned nationalistic symbols, including the Jewish Pride flag. Jewish lesbian groups stated the action was “anti-Semitic”. The organizers of the march stated they wanted to stand in support of Palestine.

Would this march be welcomed there though?

While Putin & Xi meet, Rooski and US Navy jostle

190311-N-DX072-1201 PACIFIC OCEAN (March 11, 2019) The Ticonderoga-class guided-missile cruiser USS Chancellorsville (CG 62) transits the Pacific Ocean during a training exercise with other U.S. Navy warships. U.S. Navy warships train together to increase the tactical proficiency, lethality, and interoperability of participating units in an Era of Great Power Competition. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Anaid Banuelos Rodriguez/Released)

190607 – While Putin and Xi were meeting in Moscow, a Russian destroyer maneuvered close enough to the USS Chancellorsville (CG-62) forcing the US vessel to engage full reverse thrust to avoid a collision. The action occurred in the Philippine Sea to the East of the South China Sea. Russian ships have been a rarity in these waters but may become more common as Russian and Chinese ties strengthen

Putin finds a new "Bromance", Xi Jinging?

190605-Putin and Xi meet in Moscow to strengthen their alliance.
190605-Putin and Xi meet in Moscow to strengthen their alliance. Russia is drawing closer to China. They both share a long border.

190606 – Vladimir Putin(Russia) and Xi Jinping(China) met to strengthen ties between their two countries. They agreed to work together more on trade, technology, and military sales. Russian has been pushed into China arms in part because of Americans growing distrust of Russia.

Twitter kowtows to China

190602 – With the 30th anniversary of the Tienanmen Square massacre on June 4th nearing, Twitter has suspended of number of dissident Chinese language accounts in deference to the growing power of China. Senator Mark Rubio-R/Fla, declaring, “Twitter has become a Chinese govt censor.”

Amnesty International violates Workers Rights

190602 – All of the top leaders of Amnesty International, a human rights organization, have offered to resign after an internal review uncovered a toxic work environment and culture, that included bullying. Early in March, the organization was also accused of violating US labor laws regarding right to organize and unpaid interns.

China requires broadcasters to play the Anthem

190520-China is now requiring radio and TV stations to play the National Anthem, “March of the Volunteers” at 7AM through the end of the year.

Germany may tax foreign funded mosques

Some 900 mosques in Germany are run under Turkish authority and their Imams are paid by the Turkish state. Germany is considering legislation that would require they be self-supporting. (AFP)

190512-Germany is considering a “Mosque Tax” to replace or reduce Germany’s Islamic institutions dependence on foreign investment. For example, some 900 of the total 3,000 mosques are run and funded by the Turkish-Islamic Union of the Institute for Religion (DITIB), under the authority of President Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s government with their Imams being paid by the Turkish state. Germany is home to 5 million Muslims, over 6% of the population. Some have stated the mosques should be self supporting and not require foreign funding or imported Imans.

Germany struggles with Muslim Polygamy

Germany has a number of mosques and a growing Muslim population (a)
Germany has a number of mosques and a growing Muslim population. In one area of Berlin, 30% of Arab men have more than one wife. (c)

190510 – The Gates Institute reported that the German government has withdrawn proposed legislation that would have banned immigrants in polygamous marriages from obtaining German citizenship. Some migrants follow Sharia law where it is permitted to have up to 4 wives, they then collect social benefits using the collective family allowing for larger receipts as each wife, legally(under German Civil Law), is a single parent.

Word (Political Correctness Syntax Checker!)

190509-Microsoft plans to release a version of “Word” that will make your grammar “Politically Correct”. It will screen out offensive language.

Environmental Quandary?

190507-Death Valley, California appears to a promising site for Lithium mining. Environmentalist think the Panamint Valley is not the place for a lithium mine, but where then? The battle could be a fierce one. Lithium is expected to play an increasingly important role in reducing greenhouse gas emissions from cars and trucks, and has been designated by the Trump administration as a mineral essential to the economic and national security of the United States.

US Steel Production coming back?

190503 – US Steel announces a $1.2B investment in it’s Mon Valley Steel Works. Steel has been on a 40 year decline. Waste heat from the plant will be used to produce electricity.  Trump has imposed tariffs on some imported steel.

EU Weary of US Tech Giants

190503 – European Council President Donald Tusk said in Warsaw on May 3, 2019; stated “the world needs to be wary of the rise of tech giants such as Google, Apple, Facebook, and Amazon”. He compared their powers to those of countries such as China. He also stated he was worried about the EU’s children. The EU in the last year gave regulators the power to impose fines of up to 4% of global revenue for fines. The EU recently fine Google $1.7B for abusive advertising practices. Int 2018 and 2017 Google was fined $5B and $2.4B respectively. The EU has hit Apple with a back tax bill of $15B. The US government is also jumping in with a large fine of up to $5B against Facebook.

Older Globalization News
Newer Globalization News
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Impeachment – Locked and Loaded?

A Dec 1998 Picture of Nancy Pelosi giving a speech before Congress stating the Republicans have just hatred for Clinton, in regards to Clinton's impeachment proceedings. On September 25, 2019, she gave the okay to begin Impeachments hearings, something that Chairman Nadler had already begun. In a sense, she was forced to begin it, or lose control.

On September 24, 2019, Nancy Pelosi gave a speech where she stated she was launching Impeachment Proceedings against Donald J. Trump, the 45th President of the United States.  She did this one day before the Transcript from a fabled phone call was released.  The timing was odd, but, game on?

A key to all of this is Russia and Ukraine have been in a conflict.  Since Hillary sided with Ukraine in 2012, the Russians would do anything to not have her elected.  Trump, who as a simple business man, was trying to build hotels everywhere including Russia. Trump in some sense was the beneficiary of Russia’s hatred for Hillary.  Reportedly if you believe the news, millions of Facebook Zombie user’s were forced to vote for Trump because of subliminal mind control.

So jumping on to the WayBack machine, here we go:

We can recall a time back in December of 1998, when President Clinton was being impeached, and Pelosi implored the Republicans to not use hatred, but instead use fairness.  A video of this follows.  Perhaps she should listen to this again?

Just replace the words “Republicans” with “Democrats”.  And “Clinton” with “Trump”.  You get the idea.

After the Mueller Investigation failed to find anything of substance.  Democrats have continued to see ways to not prevent a possible re-election of Trump in 2020.  Chairman Nadler has been having informal impeachment heaings in an attempt to find traction for his Quest.

Democrats have stated Trump’s verbal tissy fits amounted to an obstruction of justice.

Chairman Nadler - Chairman of the House Judiciary Committee has been holding informal Impeachment hearings. Nancy Pelosi's speech on Sept 24, 2019, to support this, gives him more breathing room. He now has a new skeleton to "mount".

Chairman Nadler, also gave a speech in 1998 regarding his opposition to Impeachment, listen, and switch the names in your head.

The Democrats themselves have many recent incidents of engaging in Opposition Research that has gone on for years, but now, because of Trump, if you look back at it it doesn’t look good.  It is as if the rules are being rewritten before our very eyes.

In Jan 11, 2017 Politico reported that the Democratic National Commitee (DNC) had paid a Ukrainian resident, Alexandra Chalupa, $412,000, to perform opposition research.  Her key finds were Paul Manafort for example.  When Trump started to surge in 2015, her research was highly sought by the DNC.  (Remember Ukraine was Pro-Hillary, anti-Trump)  Chalupa denied being an opposition researcher instead stating she was paid the money by the DNC for being a “Ethic Engagement Program?”, CNN reported. Does the DNC really pay hundreds of thousand of dollars in far off countries for “Ethnic Engagement”?  You decide….

2018, May 4th, three Democratic Senators, outside of the Mueller Probe, sent a letter to Office of the Prosecutor General of Ukraine, requesting information(dirt), on Trump and his campaign.  The letter basically asks for information and research into Trump.  This letter can be found here.

In March of 2016 Joe Biden, the Vice President at the time, was captured in a video bragging about withholding funds from Ukraine unless they changed out a prosecutor, who was investigating his son, Hunter Biden.  American Politicians have always tried to ask for something in exchange for aid.

Biden in 2016 on what he told Ukraine: “I looked at them and said: ‘I’m leaving in six hours. If the prosecutor is not fired, you’re not getting the money’”

Joe Biden’s son, Hunter Biden, appears to play a part in all of this. 

  • Hunter Biden was discharged from the Navy for Cocaine Use in Feb-2014.  
  • Hunter Biden married, and later divorced his deceased brothers wife.  (not pertinent, but good gossip)
  • In Dec of 2013, Hunter Biden flew with his father, On “Air Force Two”, to China, where he made a $1.5B deal with a Chinese Communist Government Bank.  It’s a long flight from DC to China and Joe Biden has stated, “I have never spoken to my son about his overseas business dealings,”.
  •  Hunter Biden’s company, Rosemont Seneca Partners LLC, received regular transfers of $166K a month, from Ukrainian natural gas firm Burisma.  This was when President Obama had ceded handling of Ukraine to Hunter Biden’s father, Joe Biden. 

What if Baron Trump, the 13th year old of Donald Trump, get’s a $50K/month job with a Saudi oil company for part time work.  And then swings a $1.5B deal with a Chinese Government Bank.  And then decides to go soft on China Trade (to the detriment of the American Worker), and the South China Sea takeover.  Would the Democrats be upset?   To be fair, people need to try switching the players and re-examining scenarios.

Sept 25, 2019, Elizabeth Warren, running against Joe Biden in the Democratic Primaries, is asked whether she would allow her Vice Presidents child to serve on a foreign board.

Is she open to all dealings with foreign officials being open text and available for all?

A bit flustered she appears to say no.  But it’s okay under Obama. Time to check with her “handlers” about this deep question?

In closing, Trump is a slow learner.  Both sides attempt to glean opposition research on the other side.  Politics is a dirty business. Being able to convince your side that your clean and pious is the name of the game. If you examine the Democrats history of working with other governments for research, it could be stated they are much worse. But what if you expose the “truth”, ouch!  If somebody considers that the wrong truth, watch out!  Hopefully, Trump in defending himself, is not forced to pull transcripts from prior administration to show their dealings with foreign governments.

That would not be good for America.

On a Lighter Note:

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2019/34 – Whiner of the Week – Debra Messing

190831-Debra Messing, probably best known as the girl in Will and Grace, seeks to copy what was happening in the 50's under the umbrella of what has been called McCarthyism, from the 50's and create a Hollywood Blacklist of peoples whose views she disagrees with. She might take a lesson from history, or at least watch the movie, "Trumbo".

Debra Messing is this weeks, Whiner of the Week for her desire to create, or start a Hollywood blacklist of people who disagree with her politically similar to what the House Un-American Activities Committee did back in the 50’s with the Hollywood 10.

190830-Debra Messing's tweet that seemed to start it all off.
190831-Eric McCormack, who plays the "Will" in Will and Grace, chimes in 55 minutes later to gives his co-worker in a boost.
190901-Donald Trump tweets back to Messing, reminding her of better days.
Eric McCormack, who plays Will on Will and Grace, later attempted to walk back stating he didn't support Blacklists, but thinks "transparency is essential". A very weak walk back. (Photo by Amanda Edwards/WireImage)

On The View, which is an 22 season Emmy award winning chatfest, in no way a right wing show, even Whoopi Goldberg spoke out against Debra Messing.

What was, or is, a Hollywood Blacklist?

12 Dec 1947, Los Angeles, California, USA --- Cited for Contempt. Los Angeles: Nine of Ten Hollywood writers, directors, and producers cited for contempt of Congress, await fingerprinting in the U.S. Marshall's Office after they surrendered. They are (left to right), Robert Scott, Edward Dmytryk, Samuel Ornitz, Lester Cole, Herbert Biberman, Albert Maltz, Alvah Bessie, John Lawson, and Ring Lardner, Jr. Dalton Trumbo is scheduled to appear shortly. These are the men who refused to state whether or not they are Communists when questioned by the House Un-American Activities Committee in Washington recently. --- Image by © Bettmann/CORBIS

If Debra Messing, or her side kick Eric McCormack have trouble understanding this issue.  They could watch a movie about this subject,Trombo,

The first systematic Hollywood blacklist was instituted on November 25, 1947, the day after ten writers and directors were cited for contempt of Congress for refusing to testify before the House Un-American Activities Committee (HUAC).

Actors, Screenwriters, and others could not find work if they appeared on this blacklist.  Many lives were ruined, people lost their jobs, were fined, and some went to jail.  Debra Messing and Eric McCormack have been living under the protection of Mayor DeBlasio for too long.

On July 25th, the New York Post reported that the Will and Grace Show will have air it’s final season in 2020.  The shows creators stated there would be less “presidential” humor going forward.  NBC pays about $2M per episode. So Debra and Eric will be looking for a gig next year.  She might want to stop shaming people.

I want to be clear about my social media post from last week, which has been misinterpreted in a very upsetting way.  I absolutely do not support blacklists or discrimination of any kind,  as anyone who knows me would attest.  I’d simply like to understand where Trump’s major donations are coming from, which is a matter of public record.  I am holding myself responsible for making educated and informed decisions that I can morally and ethically stand by and to do that transparency is essential.

It is important to note that the McCarthy hearings were public record also.  Blacklisting has been a Hollywood tactic for years.  At least Debra and Eric are open about it.

Debra Messing tweeted out this apology from Eric McCormack. For some reason he didn't do it himself. He might have been tentative, sent it to Debra for review, and she did it. It came out as a jpeg picture, not text. Not really an apology. He still wants "to see who I won't be working with".

One can add Debra Messing and Eric McCormack to the list of Maxine Waters and Stephanie Wilkinson, both firm believers in Blacklisting.

On a lighter note

The left wing Hollywood types verbally state they value diversity and open ideas, yet the world becomes a sinister place if you disagree with them. Blacklists have existed in Hollywoods for years. Back in the 40's and 50's, they were sanctioned by government. We really don't want to go down this route again. AF Branco (comicallyincorrect.com)
Many equate the Hollywood 10 Blacklisting with McCarthy. Although similar in goals, they were different.
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2019/33 – Whiner of the Week – Rashida Tlaib

190103-Rashida Tlaib-Elected to Michigan's 13th district for the 116th congress. (wikiCommons)

Rashida Tlaib is this weeks, Whiner of the Week for flip flopping on her planned to trip to Israel.  She is the Whiner this week as she was granted her trip to Israel but back-tracked, flip/flopped, and decided not to go.  Was it a ploy.

She could have used this trip to her advantage, she would have had scores of media following her, she bailed.  Whiner of the Week.

Timeline of Key Events

190727-The house votes on the H-Res 246, the Boycott Israel, (BDS) vote. Unfortunately for Rashida Tlaib, it is soundly defeated (c-span)

Tlaib had compared the HR246 bill as comparable to the American boycott of Nazi-Germany.

She was an early supporter of the bill, but the bill was trounced with it came time to vote.

August 5-11,  41 Democratic House Representatives, led by House Majority Leader Steny H. Hoyer (MD).  This Hoyer led trip was set up by AIPAC, a US/Israeli lobbying group.

Rashida and her fellow Representative Ilhan Omar chose not to go on this trip.  Instead they chose to plan their own trip from August 18-22. , titled, “Delegation to Palestine“.  Their itinerary is shown at the bottom of this article.

 

190815-Trumps tweet that appeared to cause the Israeli government to change to ban Omar and Tlaib, based on a 2017 Israeli law.

After Trump’s tweet, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, up for re-election Sept 17, 2019, on Thursday barred U.S. Democratic congresswomen Rashida Tlaib and Ilhan Omar from making a planned trip to Israel, the Guardian reported.

Netanyahu stated, “Only a few days ago, we received their itinerary(see below) for their visit in Israel, which revealed that they planned a visit whose sole objective is to strengthen the boycott against us and deny Israel’s legitimacy,”.  Netanyahu said that if Tlaib submitted a request to visit family on humanitarian grounds, Israel would consider it as long as she promised not to promote a boycott against Israel.

190815-Tliab writes a letter to Aryeh Deri, Minister of the Interior, Israel, requesting to see her grandmother. Early Friday morning, Israel Granted This Request. However, just hours later she stated Tlaib said she had decided not to travel to Israel under conditions that would have included a pledge in writing not to “promote boycotts against Israel” while there. Her letter did state she would respect restrictions.
190816-Friday Trump tweets (twitter)

The following video, August 19, 2019, shows Tlaib making a statement highlighting the human costs of “travel restrictions”.

If she had gone and visited her grandmother, she might have been a more effective change advocate.

Israel's Legal Viewpoint and Backing

Back on March 6, 2017, the Israeli government inacted a strengthened an anti-boycott Israeli law the Jerusalem Post reported.

It is important to realize Israel is a separate country.

A Dr. Amir Fuchs, an Israeli Democracy Institute researcher viewed the law analytically stating, it’s wording only appears to impact a foreign BDS campaigner “with standing… who can really impact the situation and cause others to boycott Israel.”   Rashida Tlaib, as a US House Representative, definitely has standing and would qualify under his interpretation.

A sample of Tlaib's Unflattering Moments

The previous video was taken sometime in August of 2016.  It shows Rashida Tlaib being dragged out of a Trump rally.   Somehow her decorum was not up to standards.

She is shown here stating “that you guys are crazy”.  okay….

Someone yells, “get a job”.  She does, two months later she is elected into her Michigan”s 13th congressional district.

The previous video was taken on Jan 3rd, 2017, right after her inauguration. Rashida Tlaib sets the stage for entry into the 116th congress.  After being sworn in by Nancy Pelosi, She states, “we are going to impeach the Mother$$$ker!”.

Tlaib/Omar Trip Itinerary

Tliab/Omar Israeli trip agenda for Aug-18, 2019
Tliab/Omar Israeli trip agenda for Aug-19, 2019
Tliab/Omar Israeli trip agenda for Aug-20, 2019

A new lawsuit against her

Laura Loomer, a reporter/political activists/journalist has initiated a $2M  lawsuit against Tlaib for assault.

The following video shows Laura trying to ask questions of Rashida at a town meeting.

On a lighter note

Donald Trump was called a "racist" for making the equivalent of the 70's statement of "Love it or leave it". (branco/creators.com)
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2019/32 – Whiner of the Week – Chris Cuomo

CNN’s Chris Cuomo made the news this week by having a confrontation with a gentlemen.  It was recorded on video, posted, and seems to have everyone interested in it.  It shows Chris Cuomo getting extremely upset and angry.  Nominally Chris Cuomo is pitching hardballs, to anyone his news organization does not agree with and wants to take down.  Yet one comes to him, and he fights back hard.  The opposing person, used the term “Fredo” against him.

If a woman newscaster had acted in the same manner, would CNN have supported her as they have backed him?  Or, is the Cuomo name too powerful in New York for even CNN to walk away from?

The urbandictionary.com definition of "fredo". Chris Cuomo's father was the governor of New York from 1983-94. And his brother Andrew Cuomo is the current governor of New York. So his Chris not as successful as his brother the governor? Will the Urban Dictionary update this definition from 2005 based on this new turmoil?

The video, entrapment?
Homer likes donuts, Cuomo likes talking harsh

The video that follows is the video that seemed to cause all of the ruckus.  Chris, normally disparaging people left and right on his show is on the defensive here.  Note the content may not be suitable for young children.

Ideally, his mother would have told him this.  Smile, turn your head, and walk away. That’s what your big brother would do.  Chris appears to be standing up for his ideals here in a mafioso like fashion.

Hopefully Chris wasn’t take any health or fitness medications to cause this level of rage.  He walked right into this mess.

Cuomo been pitching hard, Trump finally returns one

190812-Donald Trump's tweet to Chris Cuomo. Chris has not always treated the President kindly. Cuomo cuts Trump to pieces daily, and Trump sends a tweet. Ouch? or just an Owee? (twitter)

The previous video shows Chris Cumo’s head spliced into the original Godfather Movie where the famous “Fredo” lines occur.

The following video shows a Jan/2010 interview between Chris Cuomo and Curtiz Sliwa of AM 970 in New York. 

Chris Cuomo calls himself a “Fredo” in it.  (New York Post Video)

Fredo - a non Italian slur

Chris Cuomo did try and use the Race Card, always in a CNN News Anchor’s holster, here a bit stating this was the equivalent of the “N” word. However the “N” word has a few hundred years of oppression behind it.  And Fredo is just a term from a movie popular almost 50 years ago.  Just because he might have some Italian ancestry, the race card might not be appropriate.

Some have said the term Fredo is insulting to Italians.  Here on Chris Cuomo’s show on Jan 19, 2019, the term is used against Donald Trump Jr, a non-italian.  Some would counter that just because the first use of the term is against Fredo Corleone, that italians can’t claim to be hurt by it soley.  In modern progressive parlance, that’s “Cultural Appropriation“.  The term could apply to any male who has a brother.

Jake Tapper, Cuomo’s colleague, has also used the term against Jarrod Kushner, Muammar Qaddafi’s son, and one his own personal pets, a dog.

CNN has a minor history of using the word.  And you can find many videos of Chris Cuomo giving very harsh advice to the rest of us.

Living in the Shadow of your brother, the Governor

In closing, Chris Cuomo does have to live in the shadow of his father, and brother, both Governors.  So even though he may feel inferior to them, it’s probably not wise to let the rest of the world think he is the “black sheep” in the family.  And given this incident, whenever I see Chris Cuomo going forward, I will think of the Fredo character and, it will be hard NOT to think of Fredo Corelone famous lines of:

It ain’t the way I wanted it! I can handle things! I’m smart! Not like everybody says…like dumb…I’m smart and I want respect!

190814-Chris Cuomo's apology on Twitter. Everyone has gone home and said to the wife. Jeepers, what got into me, why the heck did I say that today. (twitter)

On Aug-17, 2019, TMZ reported that one of the original stars of the Godfather, “Gianni Russo”, stated, “Chris made an ass out of himself, and his family, by flipping out over the insult … not to mention suggesting it was an ethnic slur against Italians. That’s nonsense … all Fredo means is that someone’s weak, there’s nothing else to it.”  And he added, “Chris’s dad, ex-Gov. Mario Cuomo, woulda smacked him over this.”

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2019/31 Whiner of the Week – Nicole Wallace

2019/31-Whiner of the Week, Nicole Wallace, MSNBC Host stated Trump called for the 'extermination of Latino's'. Was she was confusing Baltimore's rodents with Latino's. Did she eat a good breakfast that morning? (msnbc)

MSNBC’s Nicole Wallace, on Tuesday, August 6, 201, made the statement that Trump is calling for ‘exterminating’ Latinos.  For this extraordinary viewpoint, she is the Whiner of the Week for the 31st week in 2019.  Did she get this story confused with the story about Elijah Cummings, a previous Whiner of the Week?  Extermination of rodents were an issue there.

This short clip shows the part of the video where interviewing USA Today opinion columnist, Paul Reyes, and their dialogue led her to imply that Trump called for the Extermination of Latinos.

The media does not seem to understand the term, “fake news”.

A longer, 2:35 clip can be found on YouTube Here.  She did issue a partial apology on Twitter that still held to her political views.  The “Breaking News” headline while she is talking is somewhat interesting.  Can you read it?

190806-MSNBC host Nicole Wallace apology for slipping in, incorrectly, Trump was calling for the Extermination of Latino's. (twitter)
Not an invasion by "Armed Forces", but definitely a lot of people on their way to America to hopefully make a new home in the states. Most are hardworking folks willing to work longer hours and for less money then your average American. A long journey, a few weeks in a detention camp, and you are in. The lure is too great. (sky.com)
Invasion Definition via bing.com. Not all "invasions" require the use of muskets and swords. Of the three here, the second and the third might apply. (bing.com)
2019-July border stats for crossings. Almost 6 years are shown. FY2017/grey line, 1st three months shows folks trying to squeeze in as Obama was still President but shows a massive dip as Trump became President, probably because of his rhetoric. FY2018/orange line, a standard curve roughly matching Obama curves. FY2019/red line, shows a dramatic increase given the new tactic of using Asylum as a protection. This wave was visible on media a few months before Jan/2019, and as they made it through Mexico and started hitting the border. Pelosi and Schummer denied it in Jan/2019, but in March they changed their tune. (https://www.cbp.gov/newsroom/stats/sw-border-migration)
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2019/29 Whiner of the Week – Elijah Cummings

190727-Elijah Cummings, after repeatedly throwing hardballs at Donald Trump, pulls the racist card out after Donalds lobs his first softball back at Mr. Cummings.

Saturday, July 27, 2019 Donald trump tweeted, “Why is so much money sent to Elijah Cummings district when it is considered the worst run and most dangerous city anywhere in the United States.  No human being would want to live there.  Where is all this money going?  How much is stolen? Investigate this corrupt mess immediately.”

Elijah Cummings is been the House Representative since 1996 for Maryland’s 7th disctrict.

This immediately set off a firestorm of racial accusations.  But an analysis of the text above, if it was stated by anyone other then Donald Trump would probably be not be termed racial motivated.  Just naming Representative Cummings, a 36 year fixture in the House, does not mean it is racial.

190727-Baltimore has the highest per capita homicide in the US. (Baltimore Sun Data)

If you review 232 countries in the world.  Only El Salvador, Jamaica, and Venezula have higher per capita murder rates than Baltimore.

Reviewing other statistics from numerous sources sometimes put other US cities at the top, but Baltimore is not a safe city by this statistic.

Elijah Cummings has spent the last two years beating up Trump.  Which is all fine and good as it’s politics.  But, his race does not give him a shield to protect him from critique.  He has thrown many political hardballs toward Donald Trump over the past few years.  When Trump lobs a softball his way.  He melts, and pulls the race card out.  He calls out the Big Gun, Nancy Pelosi to help battle Trump and divert attention. 

1907027-Bernie Sanders tweeted about conditions in Baltimore while running in the 2016 campaign. No charges of racism for Bernie?

The Baltimore Sun reported Bernie Sanders likened West Baltimore to a “third world country” when he toured the city in Dec of 2015 (months before the tweet to the left).  But Bernie, from pasty white Vermont, is not a racist.

Like any large city, Baltimore does have a rat problem.  The city provides a website with tips to prevent them.  The biggest benefit is obtained by keeping trash in cans and keeping streets and alleyways clean.  Baltimore has issues following the cities guidelines.

In 2018, Orkin, once again put Baltimore in the top ten of US cities with a rat problem.  In 2018 it moved from #8 to #9.  An improvement.

But we doubt Elijah Cummings had anything to with this.  But could he do more to help out?

The video above or on the left is from a Sept 2018 Fox-45 broadcast where Mayor Pugh toured a part of the city.  Perhaps Trump saw this or another show.  Around the same time the Baltimore Sun was reporting on food markets and restaurants closing because of the rodent problem.

190727-Nancy Pelosi, ever protective of the flock of Democrat House Representatives, fires back to protect Rep Cummings from Trumps twitter onslaught. Nancy Pelosi's father, Thomas “Big Tommy” D’Alesandro, Jr, was a three term Mayor of Baltimore. So she may have a soft spot for Mr. Cummings district. Would her father, the Mayor, be proud of today's Baltimore? (twitter)

On August 6, 1999, Rep. Cummings made this speech before the house.  He talked of his Drug Infested city.

He did not call his constituents “deplorables”, instead he used the term “ZOMBIES”.   Eh?

 

What Baltimore could really use is a Manhattan Style project on trash pickup.  If every city employee would put down their spreadsheet work and spend 16 hours a quarter picking up trash, a large part of the problem could be solved.

If Cummings was white, would Trump have said the same mean things?

I believe so, do you?

Other Stuff

190727-A statistical ranking of the worlds cities by homicide rate per 100,000 people. Interestingly all of the on this list of 23, all, with the exception of Capetown, South Africa, are in North or South America. Baltimore here ranks 23rd. Only St Louis is higher in this ranking.

What started all of this?  Well one, Cummings has been threatening the President for 2-1/2 years now.  He has to expect a return softball every now and then.  Additionally, Fox News reported on Aug-8, Jack Brewer, a former NFL player, stated he personally asked President Trump a few weeks prior to bring attention to the issues of Baltimore.

“I had a chance to meet with President Trump, and I told him please call out Elijah Cummings and Baltimore. I asked him to do that three weeks ago and he did it,” said Brewer, a former NFL linebacker from 2002 to 2006.

“I’m seeing these kids that don’t have any core, no culture within them. They don’t have anyone teaching them or training them,” Brewer explained.

Brewer also recently penned an article on NewsMax.com titled:

    4 Ways Trump Has Done More for African Americans Than Barack Obama 

190720-President Donald Trump with Jack Brewer at Trump National Golf Club in Bedminster, N.J., July 20, 2019 (abc news)
And on a lighter note, the HBO Show, "The Wire". Set and produced in Baltimore. 60 episodes from Jun/2002 to Mar/2008. The five subjects are, in chronological order: the illegal drug trade, the seaport system, the city government and bureaucracy, education and schools, and the print news medium. From wikipedia, "The Wire" is lauded for its literary themes, its uncommonly accurate exploration of society and politics, and its realistic portrayal of urban life. Although during its original run the series received only average ratings and never won any major television awards, it is now regarded by many critics as one of the greatest television shows of all time. (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Wire)
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Obama, America’s Best President?

President Barack Obama is photographed during a presidential portrait sitting for an official photo in the Oval Office, Dec. 6, 2012. (Official White House Photo by Pete Souza)
President Barack Obama is photographed during a presidential portrait sitting for an official photo in the Oval Office, Dec. 6, 2012. (Official White House Photo by Pete Souza)

This is a work in progress.

Barack Hussein Obama II was the 44th president of United States from 2009 to 2017. He was elected to be a state senator in Illinois in 1996. In 2004 he was elected to the US Senate in 2004.

Some have said rather then be the President of the United States, he strove to be President of the World, causing some of his policy’s to not help the citizen of the US.

Good Points

  • As much as Republicans hate it. Obama Care, also known as the Affordable Care Act was a decent start to improving health care. Republicans talk of self reliance, yet they oppose the individual mandate which effectively requires people to purchase their own policy.
  • About 9 months into his presidency, Obama was awarded a Nobel Peace Prize for his “extraordinary efforts to strengthen international diplomacy and cooperation between people”. Some questioned it as it came so soon. It appears the Norwegian Nobel Prize committee was swayed by Obama’s vision of Hope and Change for the future and the committee hoped it would strengthen his presidency. Others stated, “The Nobel Committee’s failure in the the modern era has been rewarding those who wish for peace rather than those who accomplish it.” None the less, it is an honor to receive it. Nominations for the prize end on February 1st, so Obama was in office less then 12 days when he was nominated.
  • Obama was definitely more, shall we say, “Presidential” in his behavior.  While the occupant who followed may have some policy changes, he steps on himself quite often.

More disconcerting items:

From here on out items are listed that I found disconcerting. 

A key point in understanding some of these is understanding the key phrase, “Strategic Patience“.  This term came about in Obama’s dealing with North Korea. The Obama-era policy “suggested that the United States could afford to wait for North Korea to make its decision to denuclearize.”. The Obama administration stated that it would not return to a process which rewards North Korea for bad behavior.  But if the bad behavior continues indefinitely, what have you gained?

Not engaging, strategically being passive, is not a conduit for change. 

It’s always safer in the short term to do nothing.  Unfortunately the Obama presidency was marked with a large number of in-actions.

2018

2018-Jul-18 – In South Africa Obama gives a speech reported by Time, where he states: I should add, by the way, right now I’m actually surprised by how much money I got, and let me tell you something: I don’t have half as much as most of these folks or a tenth or a hundredth. There’s only so much you can eat. There’s only so big a house you can have. There’s only so many nice trips you can take. I mean, it’s enough.

TMZ reports on an Escrow in Martha Vineyard house, 190901.

Town & Country reported on their DC home, 190419

190901 - In Escrow as of this date, the Obama's are purchasing a 29 acre Martha Vineyard estate with a 7 bedroom main house. (TMZ)
170531-Around this time frame the Obama's decided to buy the house they had been renting since leaving the presidency. $8.1 million! Not bad. Located in Washington DC's Kalorama district. (Town&Country)

.Note: Not really complaining about Obama’s lavish houses here.  But, he has talked of the evils of trips, airconditioning, and large houses, and yet?   ??

2017

 

2017-Jan-19 – On the eve of President-elect Donald Trump’s inauguration, Cuba and the United States/Obama, signed an agreement to cooperate in the fight against terrorism, drug trafficking, money laundering and other international criminal activities.
 
2017-Jan-18 – Obama transfers a second payment of $500 million to the Paris Climate Accord.  The US still owes $2B after this payment.  The US money is distributed to poor nations such as Red China and India to help pay for cleaner energy sources.  This money did not go thru Congress but was drawn from State Dept funds using executive powers.
 

2017-Jan-17 -Obama names Ben Rhodes to the Holocaust Memorial Council, a five year term.  Ben Rhodes is Obama’s point man for the Iran nuclear deals and the U.N. resolution condemning Israel. (3 days before leaving office)

2017-Jan-16 – Obama releases $221 million to the Palestinian Authority.  (5 days before leaving office)

2017-Jan-13 – Obama transfers 10 Guantanamo detainees to Oman.  (7 days before leaving office)

2017-Jan-1 – Obama commuted Chelsea Mannings 35 years sentence. (19 days before leaving office)  Chelsea Manning was the transgender solder who was convicted in July 2013 of violations of the Espionage Act and other offenses, after disclosing to WikiLeaks nearly 750,000 classified, or unclassified but sensitive, military and diplomatic documents.  It is unknown and classified on the count of peoples whose lives were affected by this transgression.

2016

The video below shows the town hall where Obama made the utterance, “those jobs just aren’t gonna come back”.

2016-Jun – This was a blunt assessment that approaches Jimmy Carters “malaise” statement.  At this point, 8 years into the administration, adding regulations every few weeks, new labor rules, Clean Power Plan, Obama Care, (all good feel, good stuff), but, business doesn’t know what’s next.  Time to offshore your business production to reduce risk.

Foreign manufacturing means easier to deal with governments, employees are cheaper, and more amendable to working harder.  During the 8 years companies moved capital and manufacturing offshore.  And to reduce costs, trained offshore engineering talent that we now must compete with.

Yes the jobs will never come back.  If you take a “laissez faire” attitude, coupled with “Strategic Patience”, the world will move away.  It is critical to make the US a good place to do business.  Obama let America down here.

2016-Mar-7 The Obama administration pays out the first $500M to the Climate Change Project created under the Paris Climate Agreement.  All done under Executive Actions as it was not approved in the Senate.  The US at this points still owes another $2.5 Billion to the fund.  The month before, February, the US Supreme Court blocked his plan.

The money is to be used by poor and climate vulnerable for cleaner technology.

2016-Jan 22 & Feb 5 – Obama additionally send another $1.3B to Iran in cash for a total of $1.7B.

2016-Jan-21 – John Kerry (Secretary of State),states, “It’s likely that some of the billions of dollars in sanctions relief granted to Iran under a landmark nuclear deal will go to groups deemed to be terrorists.“.  He also stated, “I think that some of it will end up in the hands of the IRGC (Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps) or of other entities, some of which are labeled terrorists,” Kerry said. “To some degree, I’m not going to sit here and tell you that every component of that can be prevented.”

Not big deal, unless you happen to live in Syria, Lebanon, or Israel.

 

 
 

2016-Jan-17 – Obama sends a C-130 with pallets of cash. Including euros, Swiss Francs and other currencies to Tehran. Total about $400M.  This initial set of funds was contingent on the release of prisoners.  US Courts have said American victims of Iranian Terrorism are presently owed about $55.6B.  All 4 were released the same day.

The WSJ reported that the Obama administration shipped Iran a pallet of foreign cash worth $400 million. President Obama scolded the press for asking if the delivery of the unmarked bills, in an unmarked plane, in the middle of the night was ransom. (https://bokbluster.com/2016/08/23/ransom-2/)

2015-Jan-16 – Obama announces the lifting of the first set of sanctions against Iran.

2015

  • 2015-Nov-18 – Obama, in the Philippines for the APEC summit. Called on China to stop their buildup in the South China Sea.
  • 2015-Sep-25 – In response to Obama expressing concern about the South China Sea buildup, Xi Jinping replied, “Relevant construction activities that China are undertaking in the Nansha (Spratly) Islands do not target or impact any country, and China does not intend to pursue militarization.”
  • 2015-Jul-19 – The Obama administration sends the comprehensive deal and supporting documents to Congress regarding the Iran Nuclear Deal, beginning the 60 day review period mandated by the Iran Nuclear Deal Review Act.

2014

20140725-Obama, after meeting with the Central American presidents, discusses asylum can’t be just bad neighborhoods and that it is in appropriate to be making the trek thru Mexico.  He talks of how Refugee status is defined very narrowly.

 

The full text of his speech can be found here.  But what is amazing is how close his views here mirror Donald Trumps view today(190716).

2014-Jul-12 – Obama declares a humanitarian crisis on the border.  Depending on your party affiliation this crisis reappeared either in 2018, or in June of 2019.

2014-Mar – Chinese hackers gain access to the Office Of Personnel Management (OPM) security clearance database. The accessed database contained the records of up to 21.5 million citizens who had applied, received, or held a security clearance in the past. Applicants initially fill out a standard 136 page questionnaire termed an SF86. Director of National Intelligence, James Clapper stated, “You have to kind of salute the Chinese for what they did,”. Obama chose to follow his “Strategic Patience” policy.

2014-Mar-18 – Russia invades the Crimean peninsula, a part of Ukraine.  The US is a signatory to the 1994 Budapest Memorandum on Security Assistance.  The memorandum states the US and Britain will protect Ukraine in exchange for the Ukraine giving up it’s nuclear armaments.   President Obama help, blankets, and other miscellaneous supplies.

Obama’s Red Line statements, and resultant inaction, will cause problems in later administrations dealings with North Korea and Iran.  Why give up your nuclear armament, if another country is going to walk over you, sad.

Much has been said about Obama using tough words, but then backing down when it might involve conflict. Russia, emboldened by Obama's inaction, marches in Crimea.

2013

TBD

2012

2012-Dec Obama fires General James Mattis for speaking bluntly abut Iraq and Syria.  Mattis would later write a book, with the sentence, “Obama, Barack, strategic thinking lacking.”

Mattis writes; “Under our form of government, the President is our Commander in Chief and must be the sentinel for our nation’s future generations. This calls for a strategy both embraced by the American people and inclusive of our allies,” he writes. “We’ve fought wars that we should have avoided, and half-heartedly engaged in wars that needed to be won. But we can recover our strategic footing, if we don’t squander opportunities to strengthen the international order that is in the best interest of all nations seeking peace and stability on the world stage.”

 

Obama’s Red Line

2012-Aug- Obama, in discussing Syria states, “We have been very clear to the Assad regime, but also to other players on the ground, that a RED LINE for us is we start seeing a whole bunch of chemical weapons moving around or being utilized. That would change my calculus. That would change my equation.” In this talk, he used “red line” twice. In an interview with the Atlantic, Obama gave several reasons for not enforcing the red line. 1) Not being sanctioned by Congress, 2) lack of support from the international community, 3) and maybe the intelligence was not 100% solid.

Obama’s empty bluff cost America’s international reputation dearly. A year later Syria uses chemical weapons to kill 1,500 civilians. Obama does not react. Within one year, Russia took control of Crimea and then intervened decisively in Syria to save Assad. And Iran was able to, with more conviction, dictate the terms of the now defunct nuclear deal.

Vice President Joe Biden repeatedly warned Obama against drawing a red line on chemical weapons, fearing that it would one day have to be enforced. He argued passionately, “big nations don’t bluff.”

2012-Aug-23 – Obama’s administration quietly suspends sending Social Security “No-Match” letters to employers with employee names that don’t match the numbers on file. These had been routine for years as they had helped people fix clerical errors that could result in lower payments years out at retirement time. It also caused a flurry of illegal activity as SSN’s for children were sold as it would be 14-16 years before there would be a chance of detection.

  • 2012-Aug-15 – President Obama directed the Department of Homeland Security (“DHS”) to grant deferred action to qualified immigrant youth. Following this directive, DHS announced that U.S. Immigration and Citizenship Service (“USICS”) has begun accepting applications for DACA. This is a tougher issue as the children did no perpetrate the crime.

120326-Obama, with a Hot Mic, unbeknown to him, in Seoul, tells Russian President Medvedev to give him space until after the election in Nov.  He asked for space from incoming President Vladimir Putin.  Republicans were upset.  But really just an example of diplomacy and politics. (cbs) .

2011

2011-Dec-14 – IRAQ Withdrawal; At the Fort Bragg military base in North Carolina. As the last of the American troops prepared to exit Iraq, he said the United States was leaving behind a “sovereign, stable and self-reliant” Iraq . ISIS soon filled the vacuum.  Obama stated in the fall of 2012, “You know I say what I mean, and I mean what I say, I said I’d end the war in Iraq. I ended it.” General Mattis, General of CENTCOM stated, “Rhetoric doesn’t end conflicts.”

2011-Aug – Solyndra goes bankrupt leaving 1100 out of work.  And taxpayers were obligated for $535M in loans.  Not really Obama’s fault here, but there was pressure to keep the loans.  America really should be producing a large percentage of it’s own solar cells.  American’s need to know how to produce something… Ideally they would have tried to jump start 3-4 companies, and let two of them die. 

2009

Barack's apology tour.

Much as been said about Barak Obama’s “Apology Tour”.  This appears to have occurred from Apr-May/2009 at the start of his presidency.

  • 2009-01-27 – “We Have Not Been Perfect”, apology to the Muslim world in an interview with Al Arabiya.
  • 2009-04-02 – “Some Restoration of America’s Standing in the World”; Apology at the G-20 Summit of World Leaders.
  • 2009-04-03 – “America Has Shown Arrogance”, to France and Europe at the Rhenus Sports Arena, Strasbourg, France.
  • 2009-04-03 – “Sacrificing Your Values”; Apology for Guantanamo in France at the Rhenus Sports Arena, Strasbourg, France.
  • 2009-04-06 – “Our Own Darker Periods in Our History”; Apology before the Turkish Parliament to the Turkish Parliament, Ankara, Turkey.
  • 2009-04-16 – “The United States Has Not Pursued and Sustained Engagement with Our Neighbors”; Apology for U.S. Policy toward the Americas in an opinion editorial by President Obama: “Choosing a Better Future in the Americas,”
  • 2009-04-17 – “At Times We Sought to Dictate Our Terms”; address to the Summit of the Americas opening ceremony, Hyatt Regency, Port of Spain, Trinidad and Tobago.
  • 2009-04-20 – “Potentially We’ve Made Some Mistakes”; In a speech to CIA employees, CIA Headquarters, Langley, Virginia,
  • 2009-05-21 – “A Rallying Cry for Our Enemies”; Apology in a speech at the National Archives, Washington, D.C.
  • 2009-05-21 – “We Went off Course”; Apology for the War on Terror at the speech at the National Archives, Washington, D.C.

2009-Jan – Barack Obama is inaugurated.

Barack Obama's "Hope and Change" logo (a)
Barack Obama's "Hope and Change" logo (c)

2008

2008-During a CNN debate with Hillary Clinton, Barack Obama answers a question on Immigration.  If only Trump could speak so eloquently.

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2019/25 Whiner of the Week – Wayfair Employees

July 26, 2019, Wayfair employees in Boston walk off the job to protest the sale of beds to Baptist Church Family Services. The beds were slated to be used in border detention facilities. (a)
July 26, 2019, Wayfair employees in Boston walk off the job to protest the sale of beds to Baptist Church Family Services. The beds were slated to be used in border detention facilities. (a)
July 26, 2019, Wayfair employees in Boston walk off the job to protest the sale of beds to Baptist Church Family Services. The beds were slated to be used in border detention facilities. (c)

Wednesday, June 26, 2019, up to 500 employees, about 10% of the company. of the eCommerce company, Wayfair, walked off the job after the execs,refused to back out of a contracted sale of $200K worth of beds.

They were protesting the company’s decision to sell the beds to Baptist Church and Family Services(BCFS) which is a non-profit in charge of running a number of the border detention facilities.

Congressional delegates have made visits to the detention facilities and noted the lack of beds.  ICE responded by attempting to purchase more beds.

And the Wayfair employees do not want their company to be the one supplying the beds for the migrants.

If not Wayfair, than which company?

With the economy strong, and employment plentiful, employees at various companies across the US have become more forceful in impressing their political views on their companies management.

Walkouts over employee grievances have occurred at companies such as Google.  Apple recently decided to move assembly from Austin to China because of a lack of contract workers willing to work for the minimum wage.

NPR, for whom Wayfair is a sponsor, reported that Employee Elizabeth Good stated, “I am proud to work at Wayfair and I’m proud to continue the dialogue that will lead to us ending the support of concentration camps at our southern border,” said employee Elizabeth Good at the walkout.

NPR web report on the Wayfair bed purchase incident, with a Wayfair ad on their page. Not a big deal, but odd? (d)
NPR web report on the Wayfair bed purchase incident, with a Wayfair ad on their page. Not a big deal, but odd? (d)
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