Update no.789

Update from the Heartland

No.789

23.1.17 – 29.1.17

Blog version:  http://heartlandupdate.blogspot.com/

To all,

            The follow-up news items:

-- The Supreme Court of the United Kingdom issued its ruling regarding the Brexit process [758], decreeing that the prime minister did not have unilateral authority to execute the dissolution of the United Kingdom’s membership in the European Economic Community (EEC) and European Union (EU).  An act of Parliament was necessary to enact those treaties, and an act of Parliament is required to dissolve the same treaties.  The justices provided an expansive treatise on the legal basis for the UK’s membership in the EU, which by itself was an interesting historical read.  It is my understanding that Parliament is moving swiftly to comply with the Court’s order.

            Just an unsubstantiated observation . . . liberals protest, conservatives vote, so the anecdotal evidence suggests.  I’m just saying’.

            How on God’s little green earth does anyone have “alternative facts”?  Would anyone with the proper decoder ring please explain this new reality to me (us): what are “alternative facts” and how do they work?  This is not a rhetorical question.  Thank you in advance for your patience and indulgence.

            An isolationist, nationalistic, United States is NOT and will NEVER be a safer, more prosperous America.  By withdrawing from global trade, including labor, we are abdicating our influence in the international arena.  This Grand Republic has been based upon commerce and international trade from its very inception . . . actually, since well before the Founding.  I will argue that reality is the wellspring source of our strength.  Forcing jobs to remain in this country is no different from price controls, rationing, minimum wage laws, and such; they are attempts to manipulate the marketplace and are destined to failure, as they will ultimately hurt We, the People.  A few buggy-whip makers may benefit, but ALL of us will pay the price for our abdication and withdrawal.

            In the midst of the continuing debacle of President Trump’s persistent claims of widespread voter fraud . . . according to the omniscient one, something like 3-5 million votes cast illegally, Senator Lindsey Graham of South Carolina publicly stated and I reprint in full:

“I wasn't there, but if the President of the United States is claiming that 3.5 million people voted illegally, that shakes confidence in our democracy — he needs to disclose why he believes that.  I don’t believe that.  It is the most inappropriate thing for the President to say without proof.  Al Gore walked away based on 5 or 600 votes.  Richard Nixon lost a very close election.  We are talking about a man who won the election and he seems to be obsessed with the idea that he could not have possibly lost the popular vote without cheating and fraud.

“So, I would urge the President to knock this off; this is the greatest democracy on Earth, we're the leader of the free world, and people are going to start doubting you as a person if you keep making accusations against our electoral system without justification.  This is going to erode his ability to govern this country if he does not stop it.

“I would suggest the White House look in their windshield and not the rearview mirror. They did something that nobody thought they could do. They should be proud (of) that and not let this be a distraction.”

            If President Trump really feels that strongly, regardless of whether it is just his monumental ego that is offended by the reality that he lost the popular vote by a substantial margin and won the election in accordance with the process defined in the Constitution since 1787, then propose a bill for Congress to pass and allocate the hundreds of millions of taxpayer dollars to conduct a detailed, thorough, vote-record by vote-record recount in every state and territory to establish the real facts – not some damnable “alternative facts.”

            Further, I am truly sick and tired of this incessant Republican mantra that our elections are fraudulent.  I think Senator Graham is spot on the money.  In fact, Graham’s admonition may be too late, Trump’s incessant whining about the irrelevant popular vote may have already done irreparable damage to this Grand Republic . . . AND may be actualizing Putin’s implied objective of undermining the legitimacy of the United States of America.

            To President Trump: you won fair and square in accordance with the Constitution!  You are undermining this Grand Republic just to assuage your unbounded and unbridled ego.  STOP IT, IMMEDIATELY!  I implore you; have you no sense of dignity, man!  Get on with the business at hand!

            After writing the above segment, President Trump tweeted out that not only were there three to five million illegal votes in the last election, every single one of those ‘illegal’ votes were against him and “not one” was for him – NOT ONE!  Imagine the statistical odds of that happening.

            My apologies to all of the Trump supporters, who will read this.  I wish I did not have to say this, but . . .

            Could it be that Trump is trying to burn the house down around him?  That he wants to ensure he is the greatest . . . and last president.  Popular mythology claims Emperor Nerō Claudius Caesar watched Rome burn [19.July.64].  Reichkanzler (emperor) Adolf Hitler issued his Nero decree (19.March.1945) . . . nothing of value in Germany should survive him.  Trump appears to be perfectly content to poison the well and leave nothing worthwhile behind.  Once again and regrettably, we see that particular name, again – the similarity to Adolf Hitler is shocking.

            On Wednesday, the 25^th, President Trump signed (an as yet unnumbered) executive order titled: “Border Security and Immigration Enforcement Improvements.”

§ 2 (a) – “secure the southern border of the United States through the immediate construction of a physical wall on the southern border, monitored and supported by adequate personnel so as to prevent illegal immigration, drug and human trafficking, and acts of terrorism.”

Interestingly, he also added:

§ 10. – Federal-State Agreements. It is the policy of the executive branch to empower State and local law enforcement agencies across the country to perform the functions of an immigration officer in the interior of the United States to the maximum extent permitted by law.

A border wall will never secure the border by itself.  It is, however, a huge expenditure that will not achieve its objective (ineffective).  Where there is a will, there is a way.  And, those who seek the promised land will find a way.  I have never been in favor of the wall in the sense The Donald has sold it; it is never that simple.  However, § 10 at least suggests recognition that a defense in depth is the only means by which we can control and seriously reduce illegal migration or immigration.  Unfortunately, Congress must change the law, and the states, local communities and employers must have sufficient inducement to assist the federal government in the process of immigration control.  This executive order is far too simplistic and at best is barely visible window dressing to placate his supporters.

            On Friday, President Trump signed another (as yet unnumbered) executive order titled: “Protecting the Nation From Foreign Terrorist Entry Into the United States.”  The order directs the Secretary of Homeland Security to conduct a study to improve and tighten immigration rules for entry.  In the process, he directed the outright ban of any citizens from seven Middle Eastern countries targeted by the Trump administration.  Those impacted have not been determined, but at last count, 109 individuals were caught in transit to the United States, and something like 170 were rejected before they board an aircraft to return.  I condemned his nonsensical suggestion when he first made it [7.12.2015; 730]; my condemnation remains; this is not the way to deal with the problem – never was, never will be.

          This is a classic “Fire, Aim, Ready” action – a very foolish, counterproductive move to placate his supporters – damn the consequences.  It was quite like using a nuclear weapon to swat a fly – sure it will likely get the fly, but how much collateral damage does it inflict.  As Julius Caesar so succinctly and eloquently stated, “Iacta alea est” (the die is cast).

            The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) filed an Emergency Motion for Stay of Removal in U.S. District Court, Eastern District of New York.  U.S. District Judge Ann Marie Donnelly issued an immediate, nationwide stay of execution of Trump’s 27.January.2017, Executive Order, finding the order likely violates the Due Process and Equal Protection clauses of the U.S. Constitution.  The stay will remain effective at least until a hearing is held on 21.February.  Judge Donnelly’s order is spot on the money; this order is likely an unconstitutional violation of the Due Process and Equal Protection clauses.

            We are only one week into the Trump administration and we have an inordinate number of controversies by his signature alone.  What does this portent for the next 207 weeks?  I sure hope Trump’s supporters are ecstatic, because the rest of us are not so excited.

            Comments and contributions from Update no.788:

“Strangely you may well think, I can’t recall exactly what Chelsea Manning did. Remiss of me.

“Also Mr. Trump’s immediate deletion of Obama Care was something of a surprise. As you know we and many countries have a free or almost free health service. Ours in the U/K introduced after WW2 by a Labour Government. It would be unthinkable not to have this wonderful support for those who need medical help. To me it seems uncaring to read the comment that those who objected to your health care probably didn’t need it in the first place. Infamy on those who care less about their fellow countrymen than the self-importance they attach to themselves.”

My reply:

            Chelsea Manning was arrested in 2010 for espionage after stealing something like 30,000 classified, electronic files to passing them to WikiLeaks, who in turn publicly released many of the documents.  When she was arrested, she was PFC Bradley Edward Manning, U.S. Army, serving as an intelligence analyst in Iraq.  After he was convicted and sentenced to Leavenworth prison, he declared his transgender condition and changed his name to Chelsea.  Most of us see her as a traitor – aid & comfort to the enemy in a time of war.  Now you know.

            Trump did not delete the PPACA.  Only Congress can do that.  The executive order signed by Trump states his direction to the Executive Branch to lessen the “burden” of PPACA, while Congress considers repeal / replacement.

            While we lived and worked in England (1993-1995), we were beneficiaries of Public Health Service medical care, specifically for our daughter.  I am disturbed (and have been since the PPACA became law [2010]) by the Republican, almost blind aversion to PPACA, as well as the near perpetual Republican efforts to repeal PPACA.  There is no question there are problems with the health care insurance law.  Instead of fixing the problems, they want to repeal the law.  I sure hope that once you use the proper decoder ring, the Republicans mean they are going to fix the problems rather than throw the whole thing out and return to the status quo ante – the good ol’ days were not so good for far too many.

 . . . follow-up comment:

“The Manning story is somewhat complicated and much of it came back to me when reading your precis. Yes I believe if she/he was giving away our secrets we would want to see a long prison sentence. However, your last President has reduced the sentence, one of his last Presidential acts. He must have had good reason?

“Thanks for updating me on your nation’s health care system. When we saw Trump signing some document whilst smiling at the camera I wondered just what powers does your President have – it appeared he was sending Obama Care into the compost bin at a stroke.

“And now we Brits have political turmoil with our highest court stating that we cannot move on the Brexit front until our MPs have agreed a notion in the Commons and Lords…well we shall see!”

 . . . my follow-up reply:

            Yes, I agree.  I do give President Obama the benefit of the doubt, i.e., that he believed he had good reason(s).  Unfortunately, what he gave us as public rationale did not assuage my sense of offense.  We must never condone such behavior, and in consequence, we must seriously punish offenders.  I will grant that 35 years sounded a bit much, but 7 years is too little; but, that is water under the bridge, now.

            Remember, the PPACA is established law.  Only Congress can change the law.  The President’s action was to direct the Executive to lessen the burden (without defining what that really meant); I took it as a symbolic statement, not much more.

            I have not read your court’s ruling, but I think it would be interesting.  I suspect the court was saying the law does not allow for the PM to act unilateral in disassembling an established treaty.  I’ll see if I can find the ruling.

  Hope Ann recovers quickly.

  Have a great day.  Take care and enjoy.

Cheers,

Cap

Postscript: I have since read the ruling as noted above.

Comment to the Blog:

“I expected we’d disagree about Chelsea Manning. We do. I hope she has a long and productive life as an activist.

“The same goes for the boycott of the Installation. The man cannot be separated from the office he dishonors. John Lewis’s term “illegitimate” makes sense in many ways that need not involve the Russians. This is no time for that “get over it” attitude. Trump is mentally ill as well as corrupt and is subject to wrecking the entire world with our nuclear arsenal, among other likely disasters. Nope, not getting over it.

“Hitler was a megalomaniac. Trump is most likely a narcissist in the clinical sense, which is somewhat different. Approaching either of them as if they were a rational actor with a grasp of facts and a policy direction is silly. Hitler came closer because of the nature of his insanity. For the narcissist, all of that is pretty much meaningless. It’s all about satisfying his enormous but fragile ego.

“The issue about Putin is whether he actually has blackmail leverage on Trump. Trump hides all of his financial information and business dealings. He keeps other things quiet, too. Whether anyone likes it or not, hacking seems to be a growing field. Personal friendship or like that probably has nothing to do with anything.

“We shall see what comes of Trump’s feuds with the spies and with the press. In the bizarre world in his head, they may seem like just two more groups to be dominated by the force of his personality. In the world you and I inhabit, things might be very different.

“Here’s a link to a CBS News story on the odds of Trump being impeached and how soon. http://www.cbsnews.com/news/before-trump-was-sworn-in-people-were-betting-on-impeachment/.  Ladbroke's is offering even money he doesn't finish his term.

“Also, Trump is the oldest President at his first inauguration. Could he be hiding health issues?"

My response to the Blog:

            Re: Manning.  Agreed; we disagree.

            Re: illegitimate.  Lewis’ statement was just as wrong as Trump’s erroneous claim of 3.5M fraudulent votes – both patently false.  I do not like the outcome of the election either, but Trump was elected correctly, properly and in full compliance with the Constitution.  If the Russians affected the election even in the slightest, We, the People, are solely to blame for succumbing to and believing their false claims and criminal conduct.  We are at fault.  As citizen-voters, the burden rests with us to fully evaluate the news we are exposed to in any election.  Trump may be mentally ill; he does suffer from more than a few gargantuan personality abnormalities, but he still properly received 306 Electoral College votes, well in excess of the 270 necessary to win the election.  He is the legitimate and properly elected President of the United States . . . full stop!

            Re: Hitler & Trump.  OK; I could buy that.  However, there are a number of crossover traits, and let us not forget Hitler had a substantial ego that had to be regularly fed, as well.  While I agree there are no signs, yet, of megalomania in Trump, several of his personality flaws would not take much to push them over into megalomania.  Further, it is arguable that Trump has far more military power at his command than Hitler ever had.  Fortunately, he has shown no hegemonic intentions.  We must remain vigilant.

            Re: Putin.  I’m not sure what you were trying to say in that paragraph.

            Re: IC & Press.  Domination . . . no doubt.  He does not tolerate anyone who does not submit and conform to his will . . . which is verging upon elements of megalomania, by the way.

            Re: impeachment.  I think there is substance to that possibility.  Men with his personality flaws usually find a way to hang themselves.  Again, we shall remain vigilant.

            Re: “Could he be hiding health issues?”  Could be.  He is hiding an unprecedented amount of his state in life; he could easily be hiding that too.  That nonsense medical statement during the primaries was a joke.

 . . . follow-up comment:

“My point about Putin is that his personality really doesn't affect Trump. Trump sees little and understands less about others' personalities. However, if Putin really does have blackmail evidence on Trump, that threatens Trump's ego and could have very serious consequences.

“My point about the spies and about the press is that each group has resources of which Trump is ignorant. He doesn't even seem to recognize the resistance potential of social media.”

 . . . my follow-up response:

            Re: Putin.  Agreed, and I have not discounted that potential.  That bus video clip was just the snowflake on the tip of the iceberg, in my humble opinion.

            Re: resistance potential.  Indeed!  Quite so . . . most likely because he sees himself as omnipotent, omniscient, infallible and unassailable – a direct product of his myriad personality flaws.

            “That’s just my opinion, but I could be wrong” . . . and I truly hope I AM wrong in this instance.

            My very best wishes to all.  Take care of yourselves and each other.

Cheers,

Cap                        :-)