Update
from the Heartland
No.761
11.7.16 – 17.7.16
Blog version: http://heartlandupdate.blogspot.com/
To all,
The follow-up news items:
-- An international tribunal in The Hague ruled that the so-called
“nine-dash” claim by the People’s Republic of China (PRC) [567, 574, 580, 589, 624/7, 649/50, 724/5, 731] has no basis
in law and contravenes a United Nations convention on maritime law. The tribunal also decided that China is
not entitled to an exclusive economic zone surrounding any one of the islands
they have claimed by unilateral, squatter’s rights. The “nine-dash” line is a loose, expansive line drawn on a
map, literally defined by nine (9) dashes that encompass virtually the entire
South China Sea. The Hague ruling could
intensify Chinese efforts to establish its control of the South China Sea by
force. I ask: what is different
from what Hitler did before World War II and Stalin did after World War II, and
what the PRC is trying to do now? I
suspect there will be blood before this is settled.
Congratulations
go to Theresa Mary May née Brasier, who succeeded David Cameron as The Queen’s
first minister of the United Kingdom.
She has a daunting task ahead of her, but certainly not as serious as
Winston Churchill faced on 10.May.1940.
Godspeed and following winds, Prime Minister May.
The
Republican presumptive nominee selected Governor Michael Richard ‘Mike’ Pence
of Indiana, 57, to be his vice presidential running mate, a few days before the
opening of the Republican National Convention in Cleveland, Ohio. Pence is probably a good choice from
the perspective of the presumptive nominee. Not that it matters a hoot to anyone, but I am not a fan of
Mike Pence. The last thing we need
in this Grand Republic is another self-righteous, sanctimonious ideologue, who
believes it is his God-given right to impose his moral values, his moral choices
and deny the fundamental right of freedom of choice to every citizen in the
nation. Nope, no thanks!
CNN
broadcast a Town Hall Meeting from New York with Speaker of the House Representative
Paul Ryan of Wisconsin. To my
knowledge, the CNN event was unprecedented in American politics, at least to
date (since many elements are quite unique about this rendition of the silly
season). I do not recall any other
speaker being given that national (international) stage during a presidential
campaign. Also, the event
reinforced my impression of Ryan. He
is perhaps the most articulate, poised and measured politician in the
Republican field. I do not always
agree with his political positions, but he is good in handling unscripted
public political events. I need to
see more of his performance as Speaker to solidify my opinion of him.
Associate
Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg deviated from tradition when she publicly
criticized the Republican presumptive nominee this week. To be blunt and direct, she was flat wrong
to criticize the Republican presumptive nominee, although personally, I think
she was spot on correct in her observations. However, I believe she was absolutely wrong in her public
statement. She violated an
unwritten principle of judicial conduct.
Further, whether she likes it or not, she carries the mantle of a
Supreme Court justice, and thus, she represents the Supreme Court of the United
States. In that capacity, like a
military officer, she does not enjoy the freedom of speech that we, ordinary citizens,
enjoy in our culture. Later,
Ginsburg publicly stated she regretted her remarks . . . not quite an apology
but close enough.
France
endured yet another horrific attack; this time in Nice on the Riviera – la
Côte d’Azur. One man
drove a rented refrigerator truck along the coast road, crowded with spectators
for the Bastille Day celebratory fireworks display – equivalent to the 4th
of July in the United States. The
driver was eventually shot and killed by security forces, but not before 84 were
killed, 202 injured (52 of which remain in critical condition). Ten children are among the dead, along
with at least two Americans – a father & son on holiday, joining our French
cousins in their national celebration.
The attacker was identified as a 31-year-old French citizen of Tunisian
heritage. ISIL claimed
responsibility, although the available public evidence, so far, suggests the
man turned to radical jihadism to justify his intended criminal action.
News from the economic
front:
-- The Bank of England held its benchmark interest rate
steady at 0.5%. Bank officials cited
myriad signs the British economy is slowing amid the uncertainty triggered by
the Brexit vote. They decided to
wait until August, to implement any new support measures deemed necessary. They wanted more data and better
insights into the economy's health. They still expect to launch fresh stimulus measures
on multiple fronts next month, as the economy stumbles under Britons' decision
to exit the European Union. Sterling
surged against the dollar after the announcement to trade 1.7% higher on the
day.
Comments and contributions from Update no.760:
“Regarding women in the military, check this out. The female
Feldwebel is
the loader on a German Bundeswehr panzerkampfwagon Leopard II. The shells are about 60 pounds. If
the German panzers put women into a Leo Zwei, we can. My son thinks tanks would be a good fit for woman soldiers. And in a recent NATO competition, the
German tanks finished number one- over American and Brit tanks.”
URL:
My response:
Interesting. My German is a little rusty, but the
message is clear.
I
will pass it along.
. . . follow-up comment:
“Should have noted, a Feldwebel is the equivalent of a SSgt.”
. . . my follow-up response:
I
actually knew that one, but I doubt everyone will, so I shall add it to this
week’s Update.
Another contribution:
“For what reason ??? Mrs Bill Clinton held an office in the
highest government of America while committing crimes .. what has Trump done
that treasonous ???
“to be president, so where does that leave us?
“The best choice is left ... Trump ... never be too proud to make
the right decision Cap ...
“Re: ‘Even Donald Trump, never the sharpest tool in the shed,’
But close to the sharpest ... with the right people on his staff,
wonders can be made ...”
My reply:
Re:
treasonous. I have not used that
term with respect to the Republican presumptive nominee. I believe the term at issue is: morally
unfit. I stand by my statement.
Re:
best choice. We do not have all
the candidates determined, as yet.
I shall make my choice in a few months.
Re:
sharpest. The beauty of this Grand
Republic is free choice. I respect
your right to choose.
My
very best wishes to all. Take care
of yourselves and each other.
Cheers,
Cap :-)
