Update no.879

Update from the Sunland

No.879

5.11.18 – 11.11.18

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

            To all,

            The follow-up news items:

-- The BIC simply could not resist his primal urges and dropped the blade on Attorney General Jeff Sessions [787]—one of his most loyal and ardent supporters—within hours of the mid-term election conclusion.  Firing Sessions was anticipated for months . . . well actually, over virtually his entire presidency; but, it was his appointment of Matthew George Whitaker to be the acting attorney general that sparked a firestorm.  The BIC has blamed Sessions directly for the Special Counsel investigation, because of Sessions’ decision to recuse himself from the investigation rather than his firing of former FBI Director Comey [804].  The BIC possess the authority to do as he wishes for any reasons he wishes; however, authority does not imply wisdom.  The BIC’s firing of Sessions (for his reasons) is not a positive sign, but taken in light of his choice to be the acting attorney general, the combination casts an appallingly dark cloud over the Special Counsel’s status.  Whitaker appears to have been chosen for one reason only—he has been against the Special Counsel investigation from the get-go and openly advocated for restraint, when he has not seen the Special Counsel’s report or findings—blatantly partisan in a position that should be non-partisan and driven by the law, not politics.  This choice was yet another and closer shot across the bow of the Special Counsel.  Once again, I must say the BIC had every right to do as he wishes, but I strongly disagree with and disapprove of his choices in this instance.

-- The Wall Street Journal reported that the BIC was far more deeply and directly involved in the hush-money payoff of Stormy Daniels [837] and Karen McDougal [859]—two of his undoubtedly many extramarital affairs. Based on the public signs we have seen so far, I suspect this particular issue (among others) will show up in the Special Counsels report of findings as a violation of Federal campaign laws. I further suspect we are going to see this matter again . . . in the Special Counsel’s report and findings, and those findings will be referred to the House of Representatives for consideration and action.

            In the category of FWIW (For What It’s Worth), I read Stormy Daniels’ book “Full Disclosure.”  I dare say, she is far more articulate and respectable than the BIC.  In fact, both women mentioned above are in that category.  Yes, I said it, the women are far more respectable than the BIC.

-- The BIC unilaterally re-imposed economic sanctions on the Islamic Republic of Iran (IRI) after he unilaterally withdrew from the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPA) [779]. Of course, what would sanctions be without waivers.  The USG issued eight waivers to these new sanctions, allowing continued “temporary” oil imports for the PRC, India, Italy, Greece, Japan, South Korea, Taiwan and Turkey.  Oddly, what is intriguing beyond the waivers is, the countries that are missing, i.e., not included.  These waivers appear to be modest, ‘temporary’ compensation for the paucity of coordination with our allies.  Oh wait, the Oh So Great Orange One (OSGOO) has unilaterally decided our allies are no longer our allies, because his definition of nationalism actually means isolation.  I suspect OSGOO is oblivious to the history of that word.

            The mid-term elections are complete. The counting in a number of positions continues and will continue since a couple of key Florida positions remain too close to call, triggering an automatic re-count.  In one case, the threshold for a hand re-count has been tripped.  The U.S. Senate race to replace Senator Flake is also too close to call and the state is still counting absentee and provisional ballots.  The turn-out for this mid-term election set a record for such elections in terms of the number of citizens who voted, but was still substantially below the total number of eligible voters—in this election estimated below 50% (currently fluctuating at 47.5%).  To say the least, I am disappointed in the results.  The Republicans did better than expected.  Yes, the Republicans lost control of the House, but by a lesser margin than expected, and they increased their majority in the Senate.  Of course, the BIC took credit for the election success he alone achieved, and needed to gloat, to pump up his self-image; I suppose to some degree the BIC had reason to gloat. With the Democrats in control of the House, perhaps we will gain just a little more transparency into Congress and the Executive.  One thing for certain, we are entering a new phase of American Realpolitik.

            Despite his grossly inflated self-image of his own importance, the BIC is NOT some bloody, F***ING dictator; he was elected to be a servant of We, the People.  If anyone had any doubts or needed a graphic example of the Ugly American Syndrome, the BIC’s disgusting exchange with journalist Abilio James ‘Jim’ Acosta of CNN is a prime exhibit no.1.  Many of the BIC’s supporters wonder why I am so critical of his conduct and behavior . . . well, I offer exhibit no.1.  The BIC wonders why the Press reports on his behavior in such a negative manner; he has but to review the video from that press conference.  The Acosta-BIC exchange was not the only contentious tête-à-tête.  Journalist April Danielle Ryan of American Urban Radio Networks (AURN) had the outright gall to ask the BIC about his public statement that he is a nationalist.  She did not get to finish her question, since the BIC interrupted her and accused her of being racist.  After the press conference, the White House revoked the credentials of Acosta and threatened to do the same with Ryan.  This is exactly how nationalism and fascism work—suppress and intimidate the Press . . . make the Press hesitant to question authority.

            The BIC could seriously gain from watching and learning from President Macron who performed during difficult interviews like a president and senior statesman should perform.  I am enough of a realist to recognize the BIC has no interest in or capacity to change and improve.  He is what he is.  We have two more years of his shenanigans and abuse, and then perhaps, We, the People, can send him along his way to the trash heap of history.

            A separate thread began in parallel with a friend and frequent contributor, which I thought was relevant and applicable to the opinion above.

“Certainly one of the more strange, surreal and by Trump (or BIC), one hell of a press conference.  If you do not want to watch through Trump's self-aggrandizement, cue to the 26m:00s mark to get to the reporters Q&A, and the amazing events from this president and for our nation.”

URL for the press conference: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yWBMhy9olB0.

 . . . to which I replied:

            I watched the whole thing live.  I've decided to take a couple of days to allow my anger to subside before I write about what I saw.  That was a prime example of why I refused to refer to him by his family name or even his street moniker, and only by what he truly is, Bully In Chief (BIC).”

 . . . with this follow-up comment:

“Sadly, Trump acts like a MOB BOSS. Don't question him.  He does use intimidation against others.  I cannot believe how many reporters he told to ‘sit down!’ yesterday.  Maybe all of them should have stood-up at the same time, in the name of showing unity among journalist/reporters who constantly are berated by the POTUS.  When Trump walked to his left from the podium on stage, when Jim Acosta was talking, I truly was not sure if Trump was going to go physically assault Acosta.  I would not be surprised if he did, then Trump's base would stand behind their iconic leader (the mob boss) defending his right to do that as POTUS. That is how dangerous a dynamic we have at work right now.  Talk about the Cult of Personality, that Trump's base accused the Obama supporters of having.

“And Jim Acosta did not assault the staffer who tried to get the microphone out of Acosta's hand, as many are claiming (Trump supporters, AM talk shows who mostly are conservatives).”

 . . . and my follow-up reply:

            I have taken my two days of cool down after the BIC’s abysmal (I have used other more colorful descriptors) press conference on Wednesday.  I have begun writing my opinion, and I find my anger returning as I struggle to express my opinion.  He has never understood the purpose of a free Press and has railed against anyone who would question him.  He repeatedly bemoans the negative treatment of him in the Press, and every time, I want to shout at him—hey a**hole, they report the negative because you are acting in a very negative manner; you and you alone are the source, root cause, and sole genesis of your negative treatment.  If you don’t want to be reported on in a negative manner, do NOT act in a negative manner.  A mob boss or dictator (like Putin, Xi and Kim) would simply eliminate (kill) anyone who is critical of his policies or conduct.  At least the BIC has not gone that far . . . yet.  But, perhaps he is more sophisticated than conventional dictators or mob bosses in that he has taken to inspiring others to do his dirty (wet) work, e.g., the mail bomber and synagogue killer.

            The worst examples of his berating the Press for doing their job was Jim Acosta, as you noted, but also April Ryan, and others.  He constantly interrupts reporters and does not allow them to ask their questions.  I watched the press conference live in toto, despite my mounting anger and disgust. Acosta did not assault the intern, who was attempting to snatch the microphone from the accredited journalist.  I interpreted his shuffle to the left in the Acosta exchange as a gesture to leave the podium and terminate the press conference.  Even better than all journalists standing up in solidarity, they should refuse to cover the White House . . . starve the BIC of his precious exposure; confine him to Twitter.

            The contributor drew attention to and illuminated a related tweet from journalist Melissa Chan.

“As someone who has had my press credentials denied by authoritarian China, I never thought I'd see this crap happen in the US. And this ‘most reporters are okay but @Acostais aggressive’ thing is the EXACT line Chinese propaganda printed about me. It's a tactic, people.”

5:56 AM - 8 Nov 2018

That is the point precisely.  This is too bloody important to the present and future of this Grand Republic, and exactly why we need and must support a determined, persistent and aggressive Press to hold those in power to account.

            Twelve more innocent citizens were killed after a gunman opened fire, with a legally acquired semi-automatic pistol, at a crowded country-music bar in Southern California—Borderline Bar & Grill in Thousand Oaks.  The lone gunman committed suicide to avoid capture.  Among the dead was a Ventura County sheriff’s sergeant.

            I believe most, if not all Americans, are in favor of and supportive of reasonable firearm control regulations, especially for mentally ill citizens purchasing or possessing firearms of any kind.  Yet, I also believe the biggest obstacle to passing and enforcing such proper regulations is a widespread and inherent distrust of government.  We all bear witness to these senseless murders and the consequences of repeated governmental abuses stretching back at least to 1964. The conundrum befuddling comprehensive legislation remains protecting the proper rights of citizens during the enforcement of any regulation—past, present or future.  What little we have learned about this latest shooter strongly suggests he would have qualified for confiscation and restriction, as well as some societal oversight.  He clearly displayed episodes of violent behavior.  I do not hold much hope of anything being accomplished in Congress, but even a sliver of hope is better than none.

            With all the turmoil, distraction, obfuscation and subterfuge of the BIC and his cronies, most Americans may have overlooked an important ruling by a three-judge panel of the 9^th Circuit Court of Appeals—Regents of the University of California v. DHS ("DACA II") [9CCA nos. 18-15068, 18-15069, 18-15070, 18-15071, 18-15072 (2018); D.C. No. 3:17-cv-05211-WHA], five related cases.  The court rejected the administration’s decision to terminate the Obama-era program called Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals, or DACA.  The majority concluded: “The Executive wields awesome power in the enforcement of our nation’s immigration laws.  Our decision today does not curb that power, but rather enables its exercise in a manner that is free from legal misconceptions and is democratically accountable to the public.  Whether Dulce Garcia and the hundreds of thousands of other young dreamers like her may continue to live productively in the only country they have ever known is, ultimately, a choice for the political branches of our constitutional government.  With the power to make that choice, however, must come accountability for the consequences.” The administration will undoubtedly appeal the decision.

            The BIC trundled off to France for Remembrance ceremonies to commemorate the centennial of the 1918 Armistice ending World War I. On Tuesday, 6.November.2018, President Macron was interviewed on French Europe 1 radio as the centennial celebration of the end of the Great War—the War to End All Wars—approached. Macron said, “We have to protect ourselves with respect to China, Russia and even the United States of America. When I see President Trump announcing that he's quitting a major disarmament treaty, which was formed after the 1980s euro-missile crisis that hit Europe, who is the main victim?  Europe and its security.

“We will not protect the Europeans unless we decide to have a true European army.

"I want to build a real security dialogue with Russia, which is a country I respect, a European country - but we must have a Europe that can defend itself on its own without relying only on the United States.”

            Of course, the BIC—the primo Ugly American in Chief—proved, yet again, that he is absolutely incapable of understanding context, empathy or history.  He tweeted:

“President Macron of France has just suggested that Europe build its own military in order to protect itself from the U.S., China and Russia. Very insulting, but perhaps Europe should first pay its fair share of NATO, which the U.S. subsidizes greatly!”

2:10 PM - Nov 9, 2018

What on God’s little green Earth does the BIC think is going to happen when he berates the leaders of other countries?  Macron’s statement was not insulting; it was accurate.  He was spot on the money when he said, “Nationalism is not patriotism.”  The BIC has so undermined our relationships with our allies that they no longer believe they can depend upon a volatile, mercurial, reactionary, isolationist United States.

            The BIC chose not to attend scheduled events because it was rainy.  Other leaders did not allow the rain to deter their participation in the symbolic event.  I imagine the BIC was gravely concerned about what the rain would do to his precious pompadour.  Even worst, the BIC and his buddy Volodya were the only two leaders not to make the commemorative walk in the rain—the only two!  And, they both arrived late, just in time to make the group photograph. What the Europeans should have done is make the BIC and Putin sit and stand in the back of the group.

            At his Remembrance Day speech at an American military cemetery, a scene from the movie “Patton” came to me.  In that scene, Patton’s aide mutters to himself, “Don’t forget the Russians,” during a benign, public relations speech. Repeatedly, the BIC referred to the losses of France and United States.  I said aloud, “What about the British (and the Russians, Canadians, Australians, New Zealanders and other Allies in the Great War)?  The implication of his words was that only the French and Americans lost soldiers in the War to End All Wars.  Such implication is patently wrong.

            To our British cousins, I publicly apologize to the British people and to the people of our allies who sacrificed greater numbers of their citizens than the United States.  The BIC holds the position of POTUS, but he does not represent We, the People, of the United States of America.  We are better and more compassionate than the BIC.

            Despite the faux pas of the BIC, may God bless all those patriots who lost their lives in the defense of freedom. May God rest their immortal souls.

            Comments and contributions from Update no.878:

Must admit I do find it difficult if not impossible to comment on your politics but you seem to do quite well!  I must say I’m looking forward to a BBC news programme that doesn’t mention your BIC!  He is not a popular individual over here, in fact just the opposite would be my concurrence.”

My reply:

            Whether to comment on our politics or not is your choice entirely.  All opinions, observations and queries welcome regardless of one’s nationality.

            Oh my, I’m with you, my friend. Unfortunately, the BIC is the ultimate narcissist and we will likely suffer his malignant words for years after he no longer holds the office; that is what narcissist do; in his mind, he IS the center of the universe and everything revolves around him.

            The BIC is not popular here either.  I cannot predict the outcome of the election tomorrow, but I hope it is a resounding rebuke of the BIC.  I would love to see anyone other than Republicans control both chambers of Congress at least until the BIC can be voted out and removed from office (2020).  I think my opinion of the man is well defined.  Tomorrow night, we shall see what We, the People, have to say to the BIC.

P.S.: The election was not a resounding rebuke of the BIC.  It can easily be argued that it was not a rebuke of any degree at all.  The Democrats gained control of the House, but not by an overwhelming margin.  The Republicans increased their control of the Senate; several races, notably Florida and Arizona, remain unresolved as of this posting; however, no matter the outcome, they will not shift control—only the margin.

Comment to the Blog:

“Logic does not lend itself to the concept of birthright tourism.  The people we're discussing flee their native countries.  Many of them are too poor to make such a trip and the ensuing stay for such a purpose when they already have trouble getting food and housing on a daily basis.  Besides that, they typically try to escape war or violent chaos.  Even if they had the money to do ‘birthright tourism,’ their focus is on staying alive.

“The economy will not collapse in time to affect the midterm elections, although the stock markets have been wobbly.  If we don't have at least have a ‘correction’ soon that will make history.  I don't expect to change centuries of the economic cycle right now, and there are signs of trouble ahead.  I do believe Trump has a legitimate point about the Fed restraining the economy at a time that will backfire.

“I'm beginning to wonder about the employment numbers.  Jobs are readily available to those who can somehow survive on minimum wage, but we are losing many low-end jobs to self-checkout machines and similar non-human operations in fast-food places.  (That's what I see in ordinary life.)  Where are those people working now?  Such skills as those jobs required don't translate to any other jobs.  I haven't heard anything about the people being re-trained.  Are they left out of the unemployment numbers?  My father survived the Great Depression, and he always said, ‘Figures don't lie, but liars figure.’”

My response to the Blog:

            Birthright tourism may seem illogical, but I offer one news source (among many) to the contrary.

“Birth tourism brings Russian baby boom to Miami”

by Cynthia McFadden, Sarah Fitzpatrick, Tracy Connor and Anna Schecter

NBC News

Published: Jan. 9, 2018 / 3:49 PM MST / Updated Jan. 10, 2018 / 8:38 AM MST

https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/birth-tourism-brings-russian-baby-boom-miami-n836121

This is one among many Press reports regarding the phenomenon.  The issue of birthright citizenship is NOT just about the “caravan” as the BIC would have us believe.  Nonetheless, my opinion of the “caravan” and other potential immigrants are motivated primarily by economic and opportunistic stimulants rather than bona fideasylum cases.  At the bottom line: we cannot be the saviors of the world’s ills.  We should only allow immigration of those willing and able to assimilate with the American ethos.  Like so many USG policies and laws, so much depends upon interpretation, application and enforcement.

            My concern regarding USG actions and proposals remains the risk of overheating the economy, increasing inflation and ultimately threatening growth.  The rampant inflation of the 70’s must be avoided.  The Fed’s use of interest rates is a strong indicator, but not the sole metric regarding inflation or economic growth, but I certainly trust the Federal Reserve more than I do the BIC.

            Your employment questions are quite valid and appropriate.  I do not have any answers.  IMHO, the transition to automation in certain operations is natural and evolutionary . . . and logical, I must say.  Our challenge will be adjusting society to those inevitable changes.  That is a central issue in the outline for the third book of my Anod series of science fiction novels.

 . . . follow-up comment:

“The NBC story's sources are less than sterling and the impact of that kind of birthright tourism seems to me to be small and positive.  The number of births it gives is 36,000 and the story carefully states ‘it could be substantially lower.’  The people the story claims are doing this are Russians and Chinese who can afford $50,000 and up to do this, which explains the low numbers and gives us a demographic of those who are doing it.  In a nation of 370 million, something less than 36,000 wealthy babies is only a tribute to the USA's reputation.  Surely those few actively seek to assimilate.  I doubt anyone is opposed to healthy, wealthy white immigrants who want to become Americans.  That is not in any way the subject matter of others expressing horror about birthright tourism, i.e, ‘anchor babies.’

“The Fed is responding to a bit of history by trying to restrain the economy in response to specific indicators they (and you) believe lead to inflation.  (Trump demonstrates his incomprehension of that.  No news there.)  My concern is the long, long history of a boom-and-bust cycle in our country going back to at least the 18^th century.  That history tells me the current run of positive news is overdue for a correction.

“I agree that the transition to automation is ‘natural’ and follows logically.  Indeed, it goes back to the looms and Luddites at the beginning of the Industrial Revolution.  The question is whether we have reached the inevitable point where the human labor supply exceeds the demand.  As you state, the challenge then will be adjusting society to those inevitable changes.  I expect one facet of that will be changing our values and priorities around paid work.”

"PS: For reference, check out this article I read on: http://www.reference.com:

“How Many Babies Are Born Each Day?”

https://www.reference.com/world-view/many-babies-born-day-42294b58b04fdff7

 . . . my follow-up to the follow-up:

            I do not have the time to do an exhaustive source search.  I picked the closest one on a quick search.  Birthright citizenship is a well-known loophole in constitutional and common law.  The ‘anchor baby’ phenomenon is real whether accomplished by intent, design or not, by one person or thousands.  Birthright citizenship needs to be addressed within the law.  You are referring to a small fraction of the much larger issue of illegal immigration.  Real, comprehensive, immigration reform, including the plugging of loopholes in our law and creating a defense in depth against illegal immigration that is more than 60 years overdue.

            You may well be correct.  I hope you are wrong, but I cannot prove you are wrong.  Time shall tell the tale.

            Interesting question, and one that I have contemplated for quite some time.  You have inadvertently sketched the essence of the 3^rdAnod book. I think you are spot on the money, and the debate rests upon the forecast of what that evolution will be. Society will adjust and adapt no matter what path we take ahead . . . of that I am certain.

. . . and a follow-up to my follow-up:

“To me, the central point of the ‘birthright tourism’ article is the cost to the parents.  I can't imagine millions of families coming up with $50,000 each to get citizenship for their children. And no, I don't really care if it's a loophole in U.S. law.  Not at those prices.  The larger issue of illegal immigration (actual numbers unknown) still needs to be a lower priority.  We have several more important issues, but it makes a great distraction from them for greedy people who might not make as much money if we addressed the real issues.”

 . . . along my follow-up squared:

            There is no inter-dependency between cost and birthright citizenship.  The cost is dependent upon amenities, not opportunity, just as there are differences in the cost of hotel rooms.

            Lower priority . . . perhaps.  I have long seen the immigration issue as a national security matter, and thus high on the list.

            That is a rather cynical perspective, although I cannot refute your argument.

 . . . the last word to the contributor:

“Don't bet on that dismissal of cost, Cap. Think about it. The people with strong economic motivations to migrate don't have any more money than poor Americans do.  None of my relatives or my neighbors could get even $5,000 for that purpose, much less $50,000, no matter how urgent.  I suspect you lack perspective about poverty.

“My ‘cynical perspective’ is based on my study of history and the problem-solving principle of Occam's razor (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Occam's_razor). The simplest explanation that fits the facts is the explanation.”

Another contribution:

“I’m a little surprised that we haven’t heard from you!  What is going on in your homeland?  You must be rid of that Trump, he is destroying what we know as diplomacy-he doesn’t even understand the meaning of the word.  And now another shooting- when will American people realize that guns are an abhorrent item within our ‘modern’ society. Start the movement now, your children know and it’s time your adults started to follow their examples.  Ban weapons.  I know what I’m saying because like yourself I have carried live arms for the purpose they were designed for- protecting our civilization not killing the innocents.”

My reply:

            I have been digesting the events of this week.  I am in the process of writing my opinions.  I have plenty to say and it will be in this week’s Update.  Let it suffice to say for now that I am deeply disappointed in the results of the mid-term elections (more to follow), and I am revolted by the BIC’s conduct in his press conference the following day (more to follow).  I also will comment on the latest tragedy in Thousand Oaks, California (more to follow).  Thank you for sharing your view.  I join you in your concerns.

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

Cheers,

Cap                        :-)