The Doomsday Clock 1-31-2017

31, January 2017                       The Doomsday Clock

The organization of Atomic Scientists recently unveiled its latest Doomsday Clock which was advanced by 30 seconds, 2.5 minutes to midnight when the world will cease to exist. The clock conveys the existential threat the planet faces.

Its survival has been threatened by nuclear annihilation, the impact of climate change and by the erratic statements of a single person, Donald Trump. His careless comments about expanding and even deploying nuclear weapons and his stubborn disdain of scientific consensus regarding global warming is extremely unsettling. Trump has dismissed global warming as a “hoax” created by the Chinese.” He has shown a disturbing propensity to reject expert advice related to international security, including the conclusions of his own intelligence experts.

His nominees for the Energy Department, the Environmental Agency, and the Office of Management and Budget reflect Trump’s dangerous skepticism of climate change. The administration has threatened professional climate scientists and has hinted that their papers might be subject to a review process. One of the dark legacies of President Obama was his decision to commit 1 trillion dollars to upgrade the US nuclear arsenal. Meanwhile, North Korea is accelerating its nuclear capabilities irked by Trump’s insulting and undiplomatic comments. Simmering tensions between Pakistan and India are a further threat to global stability. Both countries are expanding their nuclear arsenals. Not to be outdone, Russia is building new silo based missiles and China is refurbishing its arsenal of silo-based long-range ballistic missiles to carry multiple independently targetable warheads.

Royal decrees 1-31-2017

31, January 2017                      Royal decrees

Hardly a week has elapsed since President Trump and Vice-President Vladimir Putin took over the reins of power. Trump seems to have forgotten his criticism of his predecessor’s “unilateral edicts” and “power grabs”. Iowa Senator Charles Grassley was equally critical of Obama once stating: “The president looks more and more like a king that the Constitution was designed to replace.”

As the king pumps out executive orders at breakneck speed, to “make America small again” advancing a racist, white supremacist agenda demonizing African Americans, Mexicans and 1.6 billion Muslims. Glaring omitted from his Muslim ban are majority Muslim nations where he has business interests. In an Orwellian move, the director of national intelligence and the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff have been removed from the National Security Council and replaced by ultra-racist, Bannon.

All these actions have been accompanied by silent acquiesce by the sycophants of the Republican Party who bow their head in supplication to their vaunted leader much like King Henry VIII and the czars.    

Trump has unleashed all the dark energy pitting Americans against one another, rapidly turning America into a black hole sucking all the goodness and tolerance which once made America great. But then again, something unusual is happening. Trump’s latest boastful decree banning Muslims from our shores seems to have woken up our Lady of Liberty’ who has stopped weeping in response to a huge outpouring of support to those stranded at airports.  

Banning Muslims 1-29-2017

29, January 2017                       Banning Muslims

Only a few days into his presidency, Trump has chosen to violate his oath of office.

His executive order banning Muslims from seven majority-Muslim countries is illegal. In 1924, Congress created a comprehensive “national-origins system,” rejecting immigration quotas favorable to Western Europeans. The Immigration and Nationality Act of 1965 went further, banning all discrimination against immigrants on the basis of national origin. In signing the new law, President Johnson said that “the harsh injustice” of the national-origins quota system had been “abolished” banning discrimination based on religion or ethnicity. Trump’s latest edict may do little to deter terrorist attacks. Over half the assailants who launched attacks in the U.S. since Sept. 11, 2001 were home grown. The ban will be interpreted as an assault on 1.6 billion Muslims and serve as excellent propaganda and recruitment for ISIS and its affiliates. 

It is puzzling why Saudi Arabia and Pakistan were excluded from the ruling. Of the 19 perpetrators, 15 were from Saudi Arabia. Pakistan is also a hot-bed of terrorism threatening world-order with its large nuclear arsenal.

Perhaps Saudi Arabia, the UAE and other Arab countries were excluded because they remain the top destination for U.S. arms exports. Our brilliant negotiator is sending a strong message - trade always triumphs concerns over human life. A further possible explanation was surmised by New York University Professor Ian Bremmer who observed that Trump's list conveniently excludes all countries where he has business interests.

Trump’s Tax Returns 1/25/2017

25, January 2017                 Trump’s Tax Returns

A recent “We the People” petition has been posted on the White House website calling for President Trump to release his tax returns. It reads “The unprecedented economic conflicts of this administration need to be visible to the American people, including any pertinent documentation which can reveal foreign influences and financial interests which may put Donald Trump in conflict with the emoluments clause of the Constitution. The clause bars the president from receiving gifts and payments from foreign governments. By late Tuesday the petition had already received 320,000 signatures but had not elicited any response from the White House. By comparison, the Obama White House would respond if a petition garnered 100,000 signatures within 30 days. 

A recent poll by Washington Post-ABC News reported that over 74 percent of Americans, including 53 percent Republicans, are demanding that Trump release his tax returns. This flies in the face of Mr. Trump’s chief obfuscator, Kellyanne, who falsely asserted that the American people don’t care about his tax returns. Trump’s claim that he cannot release his tax return because he is under audit was debunked by Warren Buffet who stated there is no such provision in the tax code.

I urge readers to add their names to the online petition as quickly as possible before a constitutional crisis occurs. 

Alternative Facts 1/24/2017

24, January 2017                           Alternative Facts

Mr. Trump, the inauguration crowd was huge; you will become the greatest president and yes I do not care about your tax returns. This is an unhealthy obsession of the wicked mainstream media. Okay, enough alternative facts. No, Mr. Trump we do care about your tax returns – enough stonewalling. What are you hiding? You have commenced your presidency by having a temper tantrum railing against accurate reports over the small size at your inauguration. In a parliamentary system you would be forced to resign on a vote of no confidence.

Your inauguration address was an abomination reeking of a fake assessment of the state of the Union. You alluded to “full-scale depression, rusted-out factories scattered like tombstones across the landscape of our nation.” Really? Do you really hope to heal the wounds of our nation with false news? No, Mr. President, overall employment has risen dramatically, crime has declined and yes, the economy is booming.  

 

Your repeal of Obamacare was accompanied with much fanfare but sent a terrifying message to Americans, including many of your supporters who have benefitted. According to the Congressional Budget Office repeal would deny coverage to 18 million in the first year alone rising to more than 30 million. During the past seven years Republicans have failed to craft an alternative but were content on scoring political points trashing the ACA. 

Mr. Trump, please spend less time tweeting and more time governing. This is not a TV show or a video game.

“The Dawn of a New Error” 1/22/2017

22, January 2017                “The Dawn of a New Error”

President (my hand is shaking) Trump won the election denigrating former President Obama (hand still shaking) as illegitimate, relied on an avalanche of political attacks ably supported by Vladimir Putin and FBI chief Comey. The tweeter-in-chief has promised to gut Obamacare, Planned Parenthood and has already picked fights with the nation’s intelligence agencies, 1.6 billion Muslims, Mexico, China and Angela Merkel of Germany. Effigies of Trump have been torched around the world.

He has promised to gut old alliances such as NATO and form new ones (code language for cozying up to Putin’s Russia).

His post-election rhetoric has mirrored his belligerent behavior during his campaign. His self-absorption and self-flattery is extremely disturbing akin to the cock crowing at its dawn.

He promised to “bind the wounds of division”; but has been insulting and threatening people on Twitter. His targets have included Meryl Streep, Boeing, a union boss, the celebrities who refused to perform at his inauguration, and the “distorted and inaccurate” media. Vice Chancellor Sigmar Gabriel of Germany has promised to fill the void left by a new radicalized US.  Not surprisingly, the inauguration received non-stop coverage on Russian state media, with television news channel Rossiya 24, providing extensive coverage of Trump’s coronation. Belgium Prime Minister Guy Verhofstadt tweeted  “Europe must take its destiny & security in its own hands”. Not bad for a man and his posse who have ushered in a new era aptly described by the Peace and Justice Center as “The Dawn of a New Error”.

Trump’s infatuation 1/19/2017

19, January 2017                Trump’s infatuation

Trump’s ongoing infatuation with Vladimir Putin is extremely troubling.  His stubborn refusal to release his tax returns has cast a dark shadow on his presidency and may well explain why he dismissed the findings of his intelligence agencies who blame the Kremlin for hacking DNC’s emails which tilted the presidency in his favor.

There is mounting evidence that Trump’s romance with Russia is closely linked to his business interests.  Crushed by mounting debt from his failing casinos, Trump was mysteriously rescued by a shadowy Iceland-based corporate entity thought to be financed by Russian oligarchs. Many of the oligarchs were prime customers for Trump’s properties. For example, in 2008, he sold a Palm Beach mansion to billionaire Dmitry Rybolovlev for $95 million. This seems to fly in the face of Trump’s claims that no such entanglements exist.  More alarmingly, Trump has hinted that sanctions imposed on Russia for its annexation of Crimea and invasion of Ukraine may be lifted. As a further gift to Russia, Trump suggested the US may not come to the defense of the Baltic States to thwart a possible Russian invasion and mocked NATO as being irrelevant.

If Trump succeeds in undermining NATO this would be a huge boost to Russia’s sphere of influence and Putin’s popularity.

Finally, to ignore Russia’s role in supporting the brutal regime of President Assad who has slaughtered tens of thousands of his people is an affront to the core values we claim to cherish. 

Trump vs Lewis 1/16/2017

16, January 2017                       Trump vs Lewis

Last Friday, Georgia congressman, civil rights icon, John Lewis, echoed what millions of Americans are thinking, namely that “president-elect is not a legitimate president”. Trump can hardly cry foul when he was the architect of the “birther” movement which falsely accused Obama of being a non-citizen.

If the Russians actively participated in hacking Clinton’s emails to tilt the election in Trump’s favor, then his legitimacy comes into question. FBI Director, Comey failed to explain why he chose to remain silent on the ongoing investigation of Russian hacking but felt no hesitation commenting on Clinton’s emails investigation which turned out to be inconsequential.  Perhaps of even greater significance is whether the Trump campaign team colluded with the Russians.  An investigation by Salon found 50 Republican electors in the Electoral College were illegally appointed which casts further doubt on the legitimacy of Trump’s election.

Predictably, Trump’s criticism of John Lewis has created a firestorm. Contrast Lewis’s incredible heroism in non-violent civil disobedient actions fighting for justice leaving him close to death, with Trump’s highly pampered life.

During the height of the Vietnam War, Trump used his wealth and family connections to escape the draft. During this period, Trump and his father were sued by the Department of Justice for violating the Fair Housing Act of 1968 for discriminating against people of color at his rental units.

Trump’s accusation that “Lewis is all talk” underscores his appalling ignorance. Under Lewis’s leadership Atlanta has become a thriving metropolis.

Trump’s press conference 1/14/2017

14, January 2017                 Trump’s press conference

Well, it finally happened! President-elect Trump held his first press conference which he used to bash the media for their fake news and inaccurate reporting. The late night comedians must be ecstatic for the material handed to them on a platter. The ‘made for movie Russian connection’ reveals salacious details of Trump’s cavorting with call girls at a Russian hotel. A former MI6 agent, Christopher Steel claims the details in his report have been corroborated from several different Russian sources.

Steel claims that Putin operatives captured the sordid episodes which could be used to blackmail the new president. This might explain Trump’s infatuation with Putin and his dismissal of US intelligence agencies insistence that Russia was the hacking source of Clinton’s emails. 

It is laughable that Trump should express such outrage when he finds himself engulfed in perhaps the most serious crime in US history. Remember, he encouraged Russia to hack into Clinton’s emails, and goaded his supporters to physically attack his opponents. As the source of the bogus ‘birther’ movement and insinuations that Obama is a Muslim, Trump is the architect of false news.

He insisted that as president he is above the law and exempt from burdensome conflict of interests laws arising from his business empire.  But then he made an audacious claim that he had reluctantly withdrawn from a $2 billion lucrative business deal with a Dubai tycoon. Readers strap on your seat belts, the next four years (maybe) will be a rough ride.

India’s populist leader 1/11/2017

11, January 2017                        India’s populist leader

Following a world-wide trend, India elected a populist politician, Narendra Modi, in May 2014. Since his election, India has shifted dangerously to the right.

Modi’s latest action was the demonetization of India’s currency.

On Nov. 8, he announced, with much fanfare, that all 500 and 1,000 rupee notes would soon cease as legal tender. Over 23 billion notes would soon be rendered worthless. Following the bombshell announcement, Modi declared the old notes would be replaced by new 500 rupee and 2,000 notes. Unfortunately, he provided a very short window to make the exchanges. The alleged reasons for the announcement were to withdraw counterfeit and black money from circulation. Surprisingly, only 2% of the population pays any taxes.  

Modi’s decision to withdraw 86% of the cash in circulation plunged the country into complete chaos. The impact has been extremely painful for businesses that pay their workers or suppliers with cash.

Long lines soon formed outside banks and ATMs. Millions waited for hours to exchange their old notes. Many fainted and a few died. More frustration was experienced when they reached the front of the lines only to be told there was a limited supply on hand. Few working ATM’s had been set up. Most ATMs were rapidly depleted of low demonization 100 ($1.50) rupee notes. People who were lucky enough to get their hands on the new coveted notes found few traders had enough change to execute transactions.

Many of the poor, who don’t have bank accounts, were disproportionately affected unable to store their new cash in safe places. Tens of thousands of laborers, artisans and weavers have lost jobs in many cities such as Agra, Varanasi, Kanpur, Moradabad, Allahabad, Ferozabad and Aligarh. Farmers have been baldly impacted unable to sell their perishable fruit and vegetables. 

There are lingering suspicions that demonization had more self-serving interests by the ruling BJP party whose members have got a ‘heads up’ on the currency plan and were able to exchange their old bank notes before the announcement. This would give them considerable clout over opposition Congress Party members who traditionally use crores of black money when fighting elections.

Although the currency crisis is the daily topic in much of the country it barely got discussed in India’s parliament. Narendra Modi seems to have been given a free pass from opposition members in the 545-member Lok Sabha and in the 245-seat upper house, the Rajya Sabha. Instead both party leaders and their surrogates took to the streets leaking stories of massive corruption.

Meanwhile, India’s parliament has come into withering criticism for its poor performance. It only meets 60 days to conduct the people’s business compared to 140 days which is more typical in countries like Britain or Canada. India’s state legislatures have an even worse meeting record - fewer than 30 days. Conversely, Haryana lead the productivity pack passing as many as 14 bills in 90 minutes.

M.R. Madhavan, the president of PRS Legislative Research, a privately funded watchdog in Delhi, exposed some of the more troubling aspects of India’s democracy.  He revealed that India’s anachronistic Constitution permits a far more dangerous concentration of power in the executive and judicial branches than other democracies. Inheriting some of the worst aspects of the Raj where the viceroy was king, the government can pass laws which can sideline the legislative branch.  These powers have been grossly abused.  For example, Modi has renewed laws that confiscate property belonging to opposition party members. As a further threat to democracy, the government can sign foreign treaties without parliamentary approval.  These parliamentary rules and perhaps India’s Constitution scream for much needed reform.

Julian Assange, hero or villain? 1/7/2017

7, January 2017       Julian Assange, hero or villain?

Assange has been hailed as a hero or villain depending on prevailing circumstances.

Remember when Republicans excoriated WikiLeaks for exposing war crimes that were being committed in Iraq and Afghanistan during the Bush administration? At that time Democrats were praising WikiLeaks for bringing much need transparency. But that all changed when WikiLeaks published unflattering emails from the 2016 Clinton campaign. Sarah Palin, who formerly called for Assange’s execution, recently lauded him as a hero, saying "I want to apologize to Julian Assange. He’s doing a really important service.”

In 2010, Trump thundered "Assange should be given the death penalty." But he now seems to be cozying up to his old nemesis.

In a recent Fox interview Assange agreed with Trump’s belief that Russia was not responsible for hacking DNC’s emails. It is clear that both Assange and Trump have their own hidden agendas.

Furious with Clinton’s demands that he be extradited and charged for high crimes, there is little that Assange orchestrated a selective release of emails favorable to Trump in the hope that he might get a reprieve from his self-imposed exile in the Ecuadorian embassy in London. Trump eagerly accepted Assange’s exoneration of Russian involvement hoping to deflect public attention away from his huge Russian business interests. It is time the public demands that Trump quit stalling and release his tax returns which might shed light on his BFF with Vladimir Putin.  

Nixon’s Treachery 1-5-2017

5, January 2017                       Nixon’s Treachery

The recent release of archives from the Nixon library reveal a man obsessed with power who would willingly allow thousands of Americans and Vietnamese to die in the pursuit of the US presidency.

Historians and President Johnson had long suspected Nixon of treachery but had never found the “smoking gun.”

Here are the historical facts. In 1968 Johnson was advancing a peace initiative with South and North Vietnam.

Henry Kissinger, an outside Republican advisor, advised Nixon that a peace agreement was in the offing, if Johnson would halt bombing raids on North Vietnam, the Soviets pledged to urge North Vietnam to engage in peace talks.     

Fearful that the successful conclusion of Johnson’s efforts would jeopardize his presidential ambitions, Nixon ordered his aide H.R. Haldeman to scuttle the peace talks to give him an advantage over his rival, Vice President Hubert Humphrey in the 1968 election.  

Release of Haldeman’s notes confirms long held suspicions that Nixon prolonged the war unconcerned of the human carnage that would ensue.

As Haldeman’s notes reveal, Nixon was able to persuade the South Vietnamese president, Nguyen Van Thieu, to stall the talks. CIA director, Richard Helms, was ‘persuaded’ to remain silent while this coup d’état was taking place.

Haldeman’s notes yield other shocking items - Nixon’s promise to Southern Republicans that he would soft-pedal on civil rights and “lay of pro-Negro crap,” if elected.

In the 1962 gubernatorial campaign, he and his aides conspired to wiretap political opponents.

Crony Capitalism under Trump 1-3-2017

3, January 2017            Crony Capitalism under Trump

A number of US corporations have adjusted their strategies hoping to gain more favorable treatment under a Trump administration by nourishing his enormous ego.

For example, companies like Sprint seem content allowing Trump to take credit for their decision to hire more workers. Predictably, he tweeted with great gusto boasting that the Sprint CEO would hire 5,000 more workers in the US. Largely ignored is the fact that SoftBank, Sprint’s parent company, made a commitment to invest $50 billion and create 50,000 new jobs in the US in October - before the election. The insecure Trump thanked himself profusely for an increase in a consumer confidence index last month. More grist for ‘Saturday Night Live’.   

What is behind Sprint’s announcement? Softbank is anxious to overcome the Department of Justice and the Federal Communication’s earlier ruling blocking a merger between Sprint and T-Mobile.  Such a merger would cut the wireless companies to three increasing consumer costs but enhancing the profits of Sprint. Thousands of jobs would be shed if the merger were to take place.  This would be crony capitalism with enormous negative impact on the economy and a serious betrayal of many Trump supporters.