Trump Shuttle (airline)
Trump Taj Mahal
Trump Castle Hotel & Casino
Trump Plaza Casino, Atlantic City
Trump Plaza Hotel, New York City
Trump Hotels & Casino Resorts (three in Atlantic City
Trump Entertainment Resorts
New Jersey Generals pro football team
Trump Steak
Trump Vodka
Trump Magazine
Trump Mortgage
GoTrump.com (travel agency)
Trump: The Game
Trump University
Trump Ice
Tour de Trump (bicycle race)
Trump on the Ocean (catering hall on Long Island)
Trump Network (nutritional supplements)
Trumped! (syndicated radio program)
Trump Institute (traveling lecture series)
Personal bankruptcy -- never. But creditors lose in a bankruptcy filing, and there have been at least 20 bankruptcy filings for his business ventures and others using his name under license. There are also innumerable examples of his companies' refusal to pay bills as stipulated in contracts until creditor accepts substantially lower payment.
Successful business man? As an individual, yes, by using bankruptcy laws to avoid paying creditors even while he accepts salaries. But in measuring success by the number of bankruptcies, he is a failure.
And now the entire nation faces bankruptcy. The federal government technically cannot go bankrupt, since it can simply print more money to pay its bills. But that assumes the government can persuade the autonomous and independent Federal Reserve Board to print more money.
However, millions of individuals and businesses can and will go bankrupt as people lose their jobs and companies and stores close.
Tuesday, June 30, 2020
Sunday, June 28, 2020
Lose or Quit
That may be the choice the president faces as opposition grows and Election Day nears.
Republicans are becoming more outspoken in their disagreements with him, even as liberals accelerate their opposition. Most recently, Christine Todd Whitman, a Republican former governor of New Jersey and EPA administrator for President George W. Bush, said on a TV interview that "he cares for nothing but getting re-elected." And Chris Hayes, the liberal host of the interview, called for his resignation.
In addition, when his supporter Sean Hannity asked the president, "What are your top priorities for a second term?" the response was a rambling non-answer, in which he let slip a reference to Joe Biden's term as president, adding, "but I did a good job."
Observers note that by Trump's behavior over many years, he has shown that losing or quitting are anathema to him, despite a long history of bankruptcies, business failures, and multiple examples of failure to pay for services rendered to his companies. That's why many U.S. banks no longer do business with his operations.
One of the few is Deutsche Bank, and the Supreme Court is expected to rule this week on whether the German firm must release his tax returns as demanded by a Congressional committee.
In short, the Trumpistas are facing a series of losses in court in addition to mounting opposition by voters.
That repeats the opening question, will he lose or will he quit? An alternative may be that he will resort to unusual strategies to retain his seat in the White House, including manipulating the electoral process.
Republicans are becoming more outspoken in their disagreements with him, even as liberals accelerate their opposition. Most recently, Christine Todd Whitman, a Republican former governor of New Jersey and EPA administrator for President George W. Bush, said on a TV interview that "he cares for nothing but getting re-elected." And Chris Hayes, the liberal host of the interview, called for his resignation.
In addition, when his supporter Sean Hannity asked the president, "What are your top priorities for a second term?" the response was a rambling non-answer, in which he let slip a reference to Joe Biden's term as president, adding, "but I did a good job."
Observers note that by Trump's behavior over many years, he has shown that losing or quitting are anathema to him, despite a long history of bankruptcies, business failures, and multiple examples of failure to pay for services rendered to his companies. That's why many U.S. banks no longer do business with his operations.
One of the few is Deutsche Bank, and the Supreme Court is expected to rule this week on whether the German firm must release his tax returns as demanded by a Congressional committee.
In short, the Trumpistas are facing a series of losses in court in addition to mounting opposition by voters.
That repeats the opening question, will he lose or will he quit? An alternative may be that he will resort to unusual strategies to retain his seat in the White House, including manipulating the electoral process.
Friday, June 26, 2020
Headlines for the Day
White House asks Supreme Court to cancel Obamacare.
Virus victims would lose coverage.
Corona casualties rise; death toll reaches 125,000.
New infections total 37,000 in one day.
VP claims, "We have flattened the curve."
Pence says all 50 states are reopening.
States reimpose shutdowns.
Economy continues its stumble.
Polls show Biden lead widening.
Trump lags by 12 points in Fox News poll.
Fumbles soft question in Hannity interview.
Fox anchor Tucker Carlson warns of loss if no change.
President loses Wall Street Journal support.
Editorial cites lack of agenda; no message beyond grievance.
Weekend golf trip canceled as NJ says, "Stay Home."
NE region bans visits from high risk states.
EU may ban American visitors.
Virus victims would lose coverage.
Corona casualties rise; death toll reaches 125,000.
New infections total 37,000 in one day.
VP claims, "We have flattened the curve."
Pence says all 50 states are reopening.
States reimpose shutdowns.
Economy continues its stumble.
Polls show Biden lead widening.
Trump lags by 12 points in Fox News poll.
Fumbles soft question in Hannity interview.
Fox anchor Tucker Carlson warns of loss if no change.
President loses Wall Street Journal support.
Editorial cites lack of agenda; no message beyond grievance.
Weekend golf trip canceled as NJ says, "Stay Home."
NE region bans visits from high risk states.
EU may ban American visitors.
Wednesday, June 24, 2020
Votes Count
New poll by The Economist newspaper predicts an 86
percent victory nationwide for Biden over Trump. NJ forecast is a 99 percent win
for Biden. Pennsylvania, a 79 percent victory. NY 99 percent.
That's in Electoral College voting. Chances of
winning the most popular votes nationwide total 97 percent.
This may explain why the Trumpistas are trying
to manipulate the write-in vote, the walk-in vote by limiting the availability
of polling places, and alleging fraud everywhere they look.
The one that really matters is the Electoral
College vote, which has been manipulated in the past. Three times already, the
winner of the popular vote has lost the electoral vote. Most recently, Hillary
Clinton piled up more real votes, even as the Trumpistas whined that the
election was "rigged" in her favor. But since DT won the electoral vote, one
wonders who did the rigging.
Packing the Deck
Examples are piling up that the Administration is trying to stack the government's justice system as well as the upcoming Census with its own supporters to ensure that legal decisions and congressional seats follow the Trumpism doctrine.
The White House named two political appointees with little experience in the field to the Census Bureau, raising fears that the Trumpistas want to influence the apportionment of congressional delegates in their favor.
The lead prosecutor in the Southern District of New York was fired late on Friday evening as the Administration attempted to replace him with a Trump supporter with no prosecutorial experience. After a major public fuss, a deputy was put in the office, but that's likely to be temporary.
The prosecutor's office is investigating at least four close associates of the president, including Rudy Giuliani, his personal attorney and a former New York City mayor.
In addition, voting districts are consolidating their polling places, allegedly to minimize exposure to the corona virus, but are being done in such a way as to block people in largely Democratic districts from being able to vote.
A Tweet from economist Robert Reich today noted that Senate majority leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) has for months been sitting on legislation to reform the Voting Rights Act. The bill would enable the state to allocate "just one polling place for 616,000 predominantly Black voters."
"Can this be any more blatant?" Reich asks.
The White House named two political appointees with little experience in the field to the Census Bureau, raising fears that the Trumpistas want to influence the apportionment of congressional delegates in their favor.
The lead prosecutor in the Southern District of New York was fired late on Friday evening as the Administration attempted to replace him with a Trump supporter with no prosecutorial experience. After a major public fuss, a deputy was put in the office, but that's likely to be temporary.
The prosecutor's office is investigating at least four close associates of the president, including Rudy Giuliani, his personal attorney and a former New York City mayor.
In addition, voting districts are consolidating their polling places, allegedly to minimize exposure to the corona virus, but are being done in such a way as to block people in largely Democratic districts from being able to vote.
A Tweet from economist Robert Reich today noted that Senate majority leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) has for months been sitting on legislation to reform the Voting Rights Act. The bill would enable the state to allocate "just one polling place for 616,000 predominantly Black voters."
"Can this be any more blatant?" Reich asks.
Yankee Stay Home
Europe may ban American visitors because of the increase of infections from the corona virus in the United States, just as Washington stopped travelers from China and other countries.
The death toll from the pandemic in the U.S. has now topped 120,000 and indications are that it will continue to rise, despite claims from politicians that the disease is under control. Medical experts say otherwise.
The European Union said it was considering the ban, which would affect only member states. Already, individual nations have limited travel, and that has succeeded in sharply reducing the number of infections. New Zealand, for example, is about to reopen to travelers because the disease there has been all but eliminated. In America, however, infections continue to rise, and health experts warn that recent political rallies in crowded arenas where attendees do not wear protective masks will bring on even more sickness and death.
Separately, the U.S. government said it will suspend for the rest of the year all work visas, citing the economic downturn and the need to supply jobs for American workers. If the visa suspension also applies to seasonal farm workers, that means American citizens could have jobs traveling from farm to farm harvesting crops. Historically, however, the reason migrant workers from other countries take those jobs has been because many Americans don't want them.
The death toll from the pandemic in the U.S. has now topped 120,000 and indications are that it will continue to rise, despite claims from politicians that the disease is under control. Medical experts say otherwise.
The European Union said it was considering the ban, which would affect only member states. Already, individual nations have limited travel, and that has succeeded in sharply reducing the number of infections. New Zealand, for example, is about to reopen to travelers because the disease there has been all but eliminated. In America, however, infections continue to rise, and health experts warn that recent political rallies in crowded arenas where attendees do not wear protective masks will bring on even more sickness and death.
Separately, the U.S. government said it will suspend for the rest of the year all work visas, citing the economic downturn and the need to supply jobs for American workers. If the visa suspension also applies to seasonal farm workers, that means American citizens could have jobs traveling from farm to farm harvesting crops. Historically, however, the reason migrant workers from other countries take those jobs has been because many Americans don't want them.
Tuesday, June 23, 2020
No Joke
The president now claims he wasn't joking when he called for less testing for corona virus infection. By his logic, more testing means you find more cases of infection, and the goal is to lower the number of infections found.
Say what?
It is true that by not looking, you don't find something. But that does not mean it isn't there. Meanwhile, the number of Americans dying from Covid 19 is rising.
One wonders whether the king of denial will soon issue an executive order banning the virus from America and ordering it back to China, where it allegedly began, or to Europe where a variation of the virus sprouted.
Say what?
It is true that by not looking, you don't find something. But that does not mean it isn't there. Meanwhile, the number of Americans dying from Covid 19 is rising.
One wonders whether the king of denial will soon issue an executive order banning the virus from America and ordering it back to China, where it allegedly began, or to Europe where a variation of the virus sprouted.
Sunday, June 21, 2020
Ballot Fraud
For all the chatter from the GOP about the dangers of voter fraud, one wonders if they would be just as vehement in their condemnation if there was any evidence that many or most of the fake votes were cast for Republicans.
No Test Means No Problem
"Slow the testing down," said the president at a campaign rally in Tulsa. That way you won't find as many cases of corona virus infections, which will mean the issue is under control. And he blamed the "fake news media" for poor attendance at the rally by reporting a rise in infections and deaths, thus scaring people off.
The campaign had expected an overflow crowd of 40,000 people, in addition to the 19,000 who would fill the arena. But the arena was far from full, and the outdoor space was empty.
Meanwhile, six members of the president's advance team tested positive for the virus and were quarantined.
Later, White House staffers defended the president's comment, claiming he was only joking.
More than 120,000 dead Americans in five months is nothing to laugh about.
The campaign had expected an overflow crowd of 40,000 people, in addition to the 19,000 who would fill the arena. But the arena was far from full, and the outdoor space was empty.
Meanwhile, six members of the president's advance team tested positive for the virus and were quarantined.
Later, White House staffers defended the president's comment, claiming he was only joking.
More than 120,000 dead Americans in five months is nothing to laugh about.
Censorship
HBO suspended the movie "Gone With The Wind" from its cable TV library because of its racial content.
CNN carried the story and interviewed two black leaders who said this should not happen. They said the movie is a work of art and depicts the attitudes of the time. It seems HBO plans to add a discussion of that issue when it resumes carrying the film.
Not mentioned in the movie is why Scarlett O'Hara's father spoke with an Irish accent in the move. The book indicates Mr. O'Hara was a fugitive from justice at the time of the Famine Years because of his rebellion activities. Mr. O'Hara was clearly proud of his Irishness, and that explains why he named his plantation Tara, after the capital of ancient Ireland.
Thomas Mitchell, the actor who portrayed Mr. O'Hara, was an American, and adopted an Irish accent for the movie role.
Pulling the movie is a form of censorship, akin to taking down statues of Robert E. Lee, the Confederate general who led the rebellion.
Adding some context to a discussion of the movie is a good idea, but the story is about the O'Hara family, not directly about slavery. Similarly, the movie, "The Godfather," another American classic, does not glorify the Mafia, but is about the travails of an immigrant family in the U.S. Oddly, the term Mafia is not used in the movie, because Italian-Americans in the Hollywood labor unions protested.
Consider also the movie "Gangs of New York," about Irish-American activities in Lower Manhattan in the 19th Century. Does it glorify crime, or does it depict the struggles of an immigrant group to gain acceptance?
Like the man said, "Those who do not learn from history are condemned to repeat it."
CNN carried the story and interviewed two black leaders who said this should not happen. They said the movie is a work of art and depicts the attitudes of the time. It seems HBO plans to add a discussion of that issue when it resumes carrying the film.
Not mentioned in the movie is why Scarlett O'Hara's father spoke with an Irish accent in the move. The book indicates Mr. O'Hara was a fugitive from justice at the time of the Famine Years because of his rebellion activities. Mr. O'Hara was clearly proud of his Irishness, and that explains why he named his plantation Tara, after the capital of ancient Ireland.
Thomas Mitchell, the actor who portrayed Mr. O'Hara, was an American, and adopted an Irish accent for the movie role.
Pulling the movie is a form of censorship, akin to taking down statues of Robert E. Lee, the Confederate general who led the rebellion.
Adding some context to a discussion of the movie is a good idea, but the story is about the O'Hara family, not directly about slavery. Similarly, the movie, "The Godfather," another American classic, does not glorify the Mafia, but is about the travails of an immigrant family in the U.S. Oddly, the term Mafia is not used in the movie, because Italian-Americans in the Hollywood labor unions protested.
Consider also the movie "Gangs of New York," about Irish-American activities in Lower Manhattan in the 19th Century. Does it glorify crime, or does it depict the struggles of an immigrant group to gain acceptance?
Like the man said, "Those who do not learn from history are condemned to repeat it."
Saturday, June 20, 2020
Numbers Count
"The virus is going away," says the president.
Covid 19 morbidity in America has increased at a geometric rate each week since the first victim died in Seattle January 29, and the number of deaths nationwide now totals some 120,000.
In this example, a geometric increase means deaths double each week since the first fatality. Here are the numbers for a ten-week spread:
1, 2, 4, 8, 16, 32, 64, 128, 256, 532, 1064.
Reality: From the first death in late January, ten weeks later deaths from the corona virus in America in ten weeks totaled more than 1,000.
Carry that same rate forward to the present, and the number of deaths from Covid 19 exceeds 120,000.
That's from zero as the year began to more than 120,000 in just 20 weeks. And if strong measures had not been imposed to limit exposure, deaths would have totaled more than half a million by this time.
Yet, the Denier in Chief insists there is no problem, even as the number of people infected by the virus continues to rise, and he will meet today at a rally with thousands of devotees crowded into an arena in Tulsa.
Mark this date on your calendar, and check the number of Covid 19 deaths a month from today.
Covid 19 morbidity in America has increased at a geometric rate each week since the first victim died in Seattle January 29, and the number of deaths nationwide now totals some 120,000.
In this example, a geometric increase means deaths double each week since the first fatality. Here are the numbers for a ten-week spread:
1, 2, 4, 8, 16, 32, 64, 128, 256, 532, 1064.
Reality: From the first death in late January, ten weeks later deaths from the corona virus in America in ten weeks totaled more than 1,000.
Carry that same rate forward to the present, and the number of deaths from Covid 19 exceeds 120,000.
That's from zero as the year began to more than 120,000 in just 20 weeks. And if strong measures had not been imposed to limit exposure, deaths would have totaled more than half a million by this time.
Yet, the Denier in Chief insists there is no problem, even as the number of people infected by the virus continues to rise, and he will meet today at a rally with thousands of devotees crowded into an arena in Tulsa.
Mark this date on your calendar, and check the number of Covid 19 deaths a month from today.
Friday, June 19, 2020
Voice of Trumpism
A shakeup of top leadership at the Voice of America as senior journalists are replaced by avid Trump supporters has led to speculation that the previously independent and reliable broadcaster will become a propaganda arm for conservative political followers of the current president.
The new leader, Michael Pack, showed up for work on Wednesday and immediately fired the chiefs of four -- count 'em, four -- broadcast networks supervised by the U.S. Agency for Global Media. They included Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty; Radio Free Asia; Office of Cuban Broadcasting, and Middle East Broadcasting Networks. Earlier, two top officials at Voice of America resigned in anticipation of Pack's arrival.
Pack also dissolved advisory boards for each of the networks and placed his own aides above them, according to a report by NPR. Pack gave no reason for his actions, NPR noted, other than saying that he could.
In addition, a memo to officials told them to do nothing without checking with him first, NPR reported.
Effectively, that would shut down the agency. Either that, or if it continued it would become a propaganda arm for Trumpistas.
Pack has long been close to the president and his aides, NPR noted.
A photo of Pack's predecessor, along with a sentence from his farewell address quoting him as saying, "Since our country's founding, journalists and journalism have stood watch over private and public officials in power to hold them accountable to what is factual and what is true," had been on the wall of the agency's headquarters.
Several days before Pack's arrival, "the quote was painted over and the photograph removed," NPR reported.
The new leader, Michael Pack, showed up for work on Wednesday and immediately fired the chiefs of four -- count 'em, four -- broadcast networks supervised by the U.S. Agency for Global Media. They included Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty; Radio Free Asia; Office of Cuban Broadcasting, and Middle East Broadcasting Networks. Earlier, two top officials at Voice of America resigned in anticipation of Pack's arrival.
Pack also dissolved advisory boards for each of the networks and placed his own aides above them, according to a report by NPR. Pack gave no reason for his actions, NPR noted, other than saying that he could.
In addition, a memo to officials told them to do nothing without checking with him first, NPR reported.
Effectively, that would shut down the agency. Either that, or if it continued it would become a propaganda arm for Trumpistas.
Pack has long been close to the president and his aides, NPR noted.
A photo of Pack's predecessor, along with a sentence from his farewell address quoting him as saying, "Since our country's founding, journalists and journalism have stood watch over private and public officials in power to hold them accountable to what is factual and what is true," had been on the wall of the agency's headquarters.
Several days before Pack's arrival, "the quote was painted over and the photograph removed," NPR reported.
Wednesday, June 17, 2020
Stalling Tactic
John Bolton's tell-all book about problems within the Trump administration is making news as advance copies were distributed to journalists, who are quoting parts of it.
This despite a last minute legal challenge by the White House to prevent publication on the claim that it contains information protected by government secrecy provisions.
However, the book had been scheduled to be published in April, and typically, manuscripts are submitted to officials early to make sure there are no security objections. But April came and went, with no reaction from the Trump team, so the publisher went ahead with plans to release the book.
In recent days, the team threatened a lawsuit to prevent publication, but by that time copies had already been printed and were ready for distribution to reviewers.
At issue, of course, is not only whether the manuscript does, in fact, contain top-secret information that should not be revealed, or whether the allegations are primarily embarrassing to the president.
If the former, then the White House Team had ample time to review the manuscript and seek changes, but they apparently did not propose revisions. If the latter, then the First Amendment of the Constitution applies, and any attempt to suppress publication merely because it is critical of the president is no more than a stalling tactic.
This despite a last minute legal challenge by the White House to prevent publication on the claim that it contains information protected by government secrecy provisions.
However, the book had been scheduled to be published in April, and typically, manuscripts are submitted to officials early to make sure there are no security objections. But April came and went, with no reaction from the Trump team, so the publisher went ahead with plans to release the book.
In recent days, the team threatened a lawsuit to prevent publication, but by that time copies had already been printed and were ready for distribution to reviewers.
At issue, of course, is not only whether the manuscript does, in fact, contain top-secret information that should not be revealed, or whether the allegations are primarily embarrassing to the president.
If the former, then the White House Team had ample time to review the manuscript and seek changes, but they apparently did not propose revisions. If the latter, then the First Amendment of the Constitution applies, and any attempt to suppress publication merely because it is critical of the president is no more than a stalling tactic.
Pharaoh Syndrome
By refusing to wear facial covering and insisting on holding mass campaign rallies at the height of a global epidemic of a highly contagious disease, the president shows symptoms of the Pharaoh Syndrome -- king of denial.
Tuesday, June 16, 2020
Say What?
When ignorance is bliss, 'tis folly to be wise.
"If we stopped testing, we'd have very few cases (of corona virus infections), if any." -- The president of the United States.
Increasingly, the president, the vice president and members of the White House staff ignore recommendations of science advisors and refuse to wear face coverings in public gatherings, even as the nationwide death toll from the corona virus goes well over 100,000 and infections resume rising in regions that reopen to public gatherings.
(Perhaps the president will issue an executive order banning the virus from infecting American citizens. Presumably, those here illegally would be fair game.)
News came this week that the two senior executives at the Voice of America resigned after the Senate confirmed the president's choice to manage the international broadcaster.
The new chief will be Michael Pack, a conservative and a staunch supporter of the president. In their resignation letter, Director Amanda Bennett and Deputy Director Sandy Sugawara expressed their worry about editorial independence as the president's supporter takes over.
The president has attacked the broadcaster's reporting on the corona issue in China, saying it should "report the facts, but VOA has instead amplified Beijing's propaganda."
"It's disgusting," he added, adding that Pack will "do a great job."
The Voice of America, which was founded in 1942, broadcasts news and information in more than 40 languages.
The Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press has warned that Pack's appointment would endanger the VOA's autonomy and raise "the specter of state control and coercion," according to a report by NPR.
"If we stopped testing, we'd have very few cases (of corona virus infections), if any." -- The president of the United States.
Increasingly, the president, the vice president and members of the White House staff ignore recommendations of science advisors and refuse to wear face coverings in public gatherings, even as the nationwide death toll from the corona virus goes well over 100,000 and infections resume rising in regions that reopen to public gatherings.
(Perhaps the president will issue an executive order banning the virus from infecting American citizens. Presumably, those here illegally would be fair game.)
News came this week that the two senior executives at the Voice of America resigned after the Senate confirmed the president's choice to manage the international broadcaster.
The new chief will be Michael Pack, a conservative and a staunch supporter of the president. In their resignation letter, Director Amanda Bennett and Deputy Director Sandy Sugawara expressed their worry about editorial independence as the president's supporter takes over.
The president has attacked the broadcaster's reporting on the corona issue in China, saying it should "report the facts, but VOA has instead amplified Beijing's propaganda."
"It's disgusting," he added, adding that Pack will "do a great job."
The Voice of America, which was founded in 1942, broadcasts news and information in more than 40 languages.
The Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press has warned that Pack's appointment would endanger the VOA's autonomy and raise "the specter of state control and coercion," according to a report by NPR.
Saturday, June 13, 2020
Fake News
The Seattle Times caught the Fox News web site running digitally altered photos of an armed man guarding a store's smashed window in Seattle, as well as a picture of a burning city, which was actually taken in St. Paul, Minnesota a week earlier.
The newspaper reported that the "image was actually a mashup of photos from different days, taken by different photographers" in different cities.
The Fox web site "had no disclaimers revealing the photos had been manipulated," the Seattle Times noted, and the network "removed the images after inquiries from the Seattle Times."
A Fox News spokeswoman claimed that both pictures "were taken this week in Seattle." But the Times noted that "the gunman photo was taken June 10, while storefront images it was melded with were datelined May 30 by Getty Images," which is an independent photojournalism firm.
Conclusion: Fox has shown itself to be a propaganda arm for the current president.
The newspaper reported that the "image was actually a mashup of photos from different days, taken by different photographers" in different cities.
The Fox web site "had no disclaimers revealing the photos had been manipulated," the Seattle Times noted, and the network "removed the images after inquiries from the Seattle Times."
A Fox News spokeswoman claimed that both pictures "were taken this week in Seattle." But the Times noted that "the gunman photo was taken June 10, while storefront images it was melded with were datelined May 30 by Getty Images," which is an independent photojournalism firm.
Conclusion: Fox has shown itself to be a propaganda arm for the current president.
Changes
The president delayed by 24 hours a planned campaign rally in Tulsa after wide protests that it was to be held on June 19, also known as Juneteenth, the date observed by many as the anniversary of final freedom from slavery in America.
Earlier, during an interview on Fox News, he had praised the date as a "celebration" and suggested he did not fully know of the significance of the date, nor that Tulsa was the site of a racial massacre.
In that same interview, he claimed he had done more for black people in America than any other president. But he waffled as to whether he included Abraham Lincoln as among the others.
Also today, the Administration said it removed health protections for transgender and gay people who are discriminated against because of their sexual identities. The new rule defines "sex discrimination" as relevant only to male and female people, and does not protect people from discrimination because of sexual orientation or gender identity, according to a report on NPR. Critics of the new rule said it will mean less health care for transgender people.
Earlier, during an interview on Fox News, he had praised the date as a "celebration" and suggested he did not fully know of the significance of the date, nor that Tulsa was the site of a racial massacre.
In that same interview, he claimed he had done more for black people in America than any other president. But he waffled as to whether he included Abraham Lincoln as among the others.
Also today, the Administration said it removed health protections for transgender and gay people who are discriminated against because of their sexual identities. The new rule defines "sex discrimination" as relevant only to male and female people, and does not protect people from discrimination because of sexual orientation or gender identity, according to a report on NPR. Critics of the new rule said it will mean less health care for transgender people.
Thursday, June 11, 2020
Quotes of the Day
"Dominate with compassion." -- President Trump in a speech to a gathering of law enforcement officials in Dallas. Three senior black leaders -- the police chief, the county sheriff and the district attorney -- were not invited.
"Take back your city now. If you don't, I will." -- Trump in a tweet to the mayor of Seattle, warning about demonstrators.
"He may refuse to leave the White House if he loses." -- Democratic candidate and former Vice President Joe Biden.
The Trump campaign will hold a rally in Tulsa on June 19th, also known as Juneteenth, the date when the Emancipation Proclamation was read in Texas in 1865, the final in a series of announcements freeing American blacks from slavery. Tulsa is the scene of one of the worst racial massacres in American history, where dozens of black citizens died and hundreds wounded by white rioters in June of 1921.
As part of the plan for the rally, the Trump campaign issued a directive that anyone planning to attend must sign a waiver absolving organizers of any responsibility if an attendee contracts the corona virus during the gathering.
Meanwhile, after two months of holding daily briefings on how to deal with the crisis, the Corona Virus Task Force has stopped meeting the press. Members now meet with each other only twice a week.
"Take back your city now. If you don't, I will." -- Trump in a tweet to the mayor of Seattle, warning about demonstrators.
"He may refuse to leave the White House if he loses." -- Democratic candidate and former Vice President Joe Biden.
The Trump campaign will hold a rally in Tulsa on June 19th, also known as Juneteenth, the date when the Emancipation Proclamation was read in Texas in 1865, the final in a series of announcements freeing American blacks from slavery. Tulsa is the scene of one of the worst racial massacres in American history, where dozens of black citizens died and hundreds wounded by white rioters in June of 1921.
As part of the plan for the rally, the Trump campaign issued a directive that anyone planning to attend must sign a waiver absolving organizers of any responsibility if an attendee contracts the corona virus during the gathering.
Meanwhile, after two months of holding daily briefings on how to deal with the crisis, the Corona Virus Task Force has stopped meeting the press. Members now meet with each other only twice a week.
Making America Grate
Donald Trump has presided over:
-- The highest unemployment rate since the '30s
-- The greatest level of civil unrest since the '60s
--The most dangerous pandemic since 1918-1919
Does that result in making America grate again?
-- The highest unemployment rate since the '30s
-- The greatest level of civil unrest since the '60s
--The most dangerous pandemic since 1918-1919
Does that result in making America grate again?
Cease and Desist
The president didn't like a poll that showed him trailing Democratic presidential candidate Joe Biden by 14 points, so he demanded that CNN, sponsor of the poll, stop reporting the results and apologize.
The response: No.
The result: Even more widespread reporting by other news organizations of the cease and desist demand, contained in a letter to CNN by the president's lawyers.
The poll was conducted by an independent organization, and the results were similar to those reported by other professional pollsters.
Whether the demand will be followed by a lawsuit is highly unlikely, since it would clash with the First Amendment right of a free press.
In other news, the current chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Gen. Mark Milley, apologized for attending the president's photo op in front of a church. The general said he made a mistake in doing so, because it gave the impression that he supported using federal troops to suppress peaceful protest demonstrations, which would be unconstitutional.
He made the comments in a speech to graduates of the National Defense University, one of the military's war colleges, attended by senior officers and other senior government security officials.
Gen. Milley joins a squadron of other military officers, some retired, in condemning the president's threats to use active duty military troops to deal with civilian protests.
Milley emphasized that the military has an obligation not to get involved in politics or to take action against American civilians. As chairman of the Joint Chiefs, Milley is the nation's highest ranking military officer.
The response: No.
The result: Even more widespread reporting by other news organizations of the cease and desist demand, contained in a letter to CNN by the president's lawyers.
The poll was conducted by an independent organization, and the results were similar to those reported by other professional pollsters.
Whether the demand will be followed by a lawsuit is highly unlikely, since it would clash with the First Amendment right of a free press.
In other news, the current chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Gen. Mark Milley, apologized for attending the president's photo op in front of a church. The general said he made a mistake in doing so, because it gave the impression that he supported using federal troops to suppress peaceful protest demonstrations, which would be unconstitutional.
He made the comments in a speech to graduates of the National Defense University, one of the military's war colleges, attended by senior officers and other senior government security officials.
Gen. Milley joins a squadron of other military officers, some retired, in condemning the president's threats to use active duty military troops to deal with civilian protests.
Milley emphasized that the military has an obligation not to get involved in politics or to take action against American civilians. As chairman of the Joint Chiefs, Milley is the nation's highest ranking military officer.
Tuesday, June 9, 2020
Proper Gander
"Who you gonna believe, me or your own eyes?" -- Chico Marx
The president's team began a series of TV promotions touting the strength of the economy and how well it is doing under his guidance, the same day the National Bureau of Economic Research said a recession began in February.
Other economists define a recession as two consecutive fiscal quarters of decline, so that won't be confirmed until the end of this month. The nonprofit NBER works with a looser definition, pegging a recession to several months of decline.
Either way, there is little doubt that America has fallen on hard times, as the corona virus pandemic forced the temporary closing of many businesses and government agencies, in turn thrashing the economy.
The question now is whether the fading of viral infections will enable the economy to recover quickly, or whether people will be reluctant to travel and gather at vacation resorts if the viral wave comes again.
Meanwhile, protest demonstrations continue to rock the nation, calling for a major overhaul of police treatment of minorities. But such gatherings may accelerate a second wave of corona virus infections and deaths, experts said.
The president's team began a series of TV promotions touting the strength of the economy and how well it is doing under his guidance, the same day the National Bureau of Economic Research said a recession began in February.
Other economists define a recession as two consecutive fiscal quarters of decline, so that won't be confirmed until the end of this month. The nonprofit NBER works with a looser definition, pegging a recession to several months of decline.
Either way, there is little doubt that America has fallen on hard times, as the corona virus pandemic forced the temporary closing of many businesses and government agencies, in turn thrashing the economy.
The question now is whether the fading of viral infections will enable the economy to recover quickly, or whether people will be reluctant to travel and gather at vacation resorts if the viral wave comes again.
Meanwhile, protest demonstrations continue to rock the nation, calling for a major overhaul of police treatment of minorities. But such gatherings may accelerate a second wave of corona virus infections and deaths, experts said.
Sunday, June 7, 2020
Triple Threat
You're fired.
I won't leave.
As the nation
squirms through the triple threat of corona virus, economic disaster and civil
unrest, underlying all this is the speculation that the president might refuse
to leave the White House if he loses the election in November.
Already,
there has been the proposal that his term be extended to match the time
"lost" to impeachment proceedings. He withstood that, as the Senate
voted on party lines not to convict him. But now he faces a threat of three
factors not of his making, but that he does little to alleviate.
Early in his
presidency, he was fond of referring to his third or fourth term, and to his
ten more years in office. When challenged on this, because the Constitution
limits a president to two elected terms of four years each, he insisted he was
only joking. But was he?
Or was he displaying ignorance of the Constitution?
Recently, he
has threatened to send federal troops to control protest demonstrations in
American cities, whether or not local officials ask for help.
Military personnel
are obliged to obey all lawful orders. But if the order is clearly not lawful,
they can and should refuse to obey it. This is the predicament senior military
commanders are now facing, that the president will order federal troops into
American cities to suppress demonstrations.
Lawyers will
argue that there are two federal statutes and several precedents to support
such a move. But other lawyers and state governors will argue that the current
circumstances do not apply. There was some looting and vandalism earlier in the
crisis, but that has subsided.
Meanwhile,
peaceful demonstrations continue. Any attempt by the federal government to
"dominate" them, in the name of "law and order," as the
president phrased it, is unconstitutional.
To quote the
First Amendment, the people have the right "peaceably to assemble and to
petition the government for redress of grievances."
Police
brutality is a legitimate grievance.
Friday, June 5, 2020
Playing With Numbers
The president spoke for an hour this morning praising the sharp recovery in American jobs reported by the Bureau of Labor Statistics. It was called a news conference, held in the White House Rose Garden. But he left without taking questions.
The BLS said the economy added 2.5 million jobs in May, and the unemployment rate dipped to 13.3 percent, down from 14.7 percent in April.
However, the agency changed the way those furloughed because of the corona virus from being unemployed to being employed but absent from work. In an addendum to its report, the BLS acknowledged that if those workers had been classified in a way similar to previous reports, the jobless rate in May would have been 3 percentage points higher, or nearly 18 percent.
The number of workers now classified as unemployed was 21 million in May, down 2.1 million from the month before. But by changing the way workers are marked as unemployed, number crunchers can paint a more optimistic picture of the nation's economy.
And that is the picture the president presented to the nation in his hour-long speech, waving a hand to dismiss questions raised as he left.
The BLS said the economy added 2.5 million jobs in May, and the unemployment rate dipped to 13.3 percent, down from 14.7 percent in April.
However, the agency changed the way those furloughed because of the corona virus from being unemployed to being employed but absent from work. In an addendum to its report, the BLS acknowledged that if those workers had been classified in a way similar to previous reports, the jobless rate in May would have been 3 percentage points higher, or nearly 18 percent.
The number of workers now classified as unemployed was 21 million in May, down 2.1 million from the month before. But by changing the way workers are marked as unemployed, number crunchers can paint a more optimistic picture of the nation's economy.
And that is the picture the president presented to the nation in his hour-long speech, waving a hand to dismiss questions raised as he left.
Thursday, June 4, 2020
A Threat to the Constitution
"Congress shall make no law ... abridging ... the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the government for redress of grievances." -- U.S. Constitution, First Amendment.
Sending police to forcibly remove peaceful demonstrators from Lafayette Park in Washington so the president could walk to a photo op at a nearby church equals a threat to the Constitution, according to James Mattis, a retired four-star Marine general and former chief of the Department of Defense under the current president.
In a public statement, he said he was "angry and appalled" at what he labeled "a bizarre photo op."
Sen. Tammy Duckworth (D-Illinois), a former Army lieutenant colonel who lost both legs in the Iraq War, said that sending active military troops to suppress peaceful demonstrations in American cities "is not a lawful order." Therefore, experts noted, the military would be obligated to refuse to obey such an order.
The president has suggested that he would send in the Army, but Mark Esper, the president's own Defense secretary, said, "I do not support invoking the Insurrection Act" or using active duty forces to quell domestic protests.
Meanwhile, Sen. Tom Cotton (R-Arkansas), in an op-ed piece headlined "Send In the Troops" and carried by the New York Times, wrote that it was time for "an overwhelming show of force" by federal authority. But while it would be legal to use active duty military to suppress riots and looting, it would not be legal for federal forces to act against those assembled peaceably to protest grievances by local police.
There was widespread objection to the Times for carrying the Cotton opinion, even from the newspaper's own staffers, but management pointed out that the opinion page is separate from the news department, and moreover there is an obligation to provide both sides to every story.
For many months, the president has verbally attacked journalism in America as "the fake news media" and "enemies of the people," calling them "truly bad people with a sick agenda." Recently, police have physically attacked reporters and TV news crews covering protest demonstrations, ignoring press identification cards and saying "we don't care" when journalists identify themselves.
This is another violation of the First Amendment to the Constitution, which guarantees a free press as well as free speech."
As a result of the police attacks on journalists, the ACLU has filed a law suit in Minnesota and promised many more "on behalf of journalists who were targeted and attacked by police for covering protests" over the killing of an unarmed black man arrested for allegedly attempting to pass a counterfeit $20 bill.
Separately, as demonstrations near the White House grew tense Monday evening, the Secret Service escorted the president and his family to a bunker in the White House basement.
The next day, however, the president insisted he went there just for an inspection visit. The Secret Service is responsible for the safety of a president, and can take him and his family to a safe place regardless of any objections by the president.
Sadly, racism has been endemic in America since Colonial days, against Native tribes, immigrant groups, and all along against those of African descent, whose ancestors were first brought here as slaves. Yet, bias and discrimination against them has continued, more than 150 years after slavery was abolished.
The nation has made some progress, but it still has a long way to go.
Sending police to forcibly remove peaceful demonstrators from Lafayette Park in Washington so the president could walk to a photo op at a nearby church equals a threat to the Constitution, according to James Mattis, a retired four-star Marine general and former chief of the Department of Defense under the current president.
In a public statement, he said he was "angry and appalled" at what he labeled "a bizarre photo op."
Sen. Tammy Duckworth (D-Illinois), a former Army lieutenant colonel who lost both legs in the Iraq War, said that sending active military troops to suppress peaceful demonstrations in American cities "is not a lawful order." Therefore, experts noted, the military would be obligated to refuse to obey such an order.
The president has suggested that he would send in the Army, but Mark Esper, the president's own Defense secretary, said, "I do not support invoking the Insurrection Act" or using active duty forces to quell domestic protests.
Meanwhile, Sen. Tom Cotton (R-Arkansas), in an op-ed piece headlined "Send In the Troops" and carried by the New York Times, wrote that it was time for "an overwhelming show of force" by federal authority. But while it would be legal to use active duty military to suppress riots and looting, it would not be legal for federal forces to act against those assembled peaceably to protest grievances by local police.
There was widespread objection to the Times for carrying the Cotton opinion, even from the newspaper's own staffers, but management pointed out that the opinion page is separate from the news department, and moreover there is an obligation to provide both sides to every story.
For many months, the president has verbally attacked journalism in America as "the fake news media" and "enemies of the people," calling them "truly bad people with a sick agenda." Recently, police have physically attacked reporters and TV news crews covering protest demonstrations, ignoring press identification cards and saying "we don't care" when journalists identify themselves.
This is another violation of the First Amendment to the Constitution, which guarantees a free press as well as free speech."
As a result of the police attacks on journalists, the ACLU has filed a law suit in Minnesota and promised many more "on behalf of journalists who were targeted and attacked by police for covering protests" over the killing of an unarmed black man arrested for allegedly attempting to pass a counterfeit $20 bill.
Separately, as demonstrations near the White House grew tense Monday evening, the Secret Service escorted the president and his family to a bunker in the White House basement.
The next day, however, the president insisted he went there just for an inspection visit. The Secret Service is responsible for the safety of a president, and can take him and his family to a safe place regardless of any objections by the president.
Sadly, racism has been endemic in America since Colonial days, against Native tribes, immigrant groups, and all along against those of African descent, whose ancestors were first brought here as slaves. Yet, bias and discrimination against them has continued, more than 150 years after slavery was abolished.
The nation has made some progress, but it still has a long way to go.
Monday, June 1, 2020
Wannabe Dictator
Security forces used tear gas and rubber bullets to clear a park near the White House so the president could have a photo op in front of a damaged church, holding up a Bible.
Protestors had been in Lafayette Park for much of the day, and there had been no incidents.
Before walking to the park, the president spoke in the White House Rose Garden during prime news time, threatening to mobilize federal forces to deal with disturbances throughout the country unless governors use enough National Guard and police force to "dominate" gatherings of those protesting the police killing of an unarmed man in Minnesota one week ago.
In a telephone talk with governors before the church pose, the president charged that "Most of you are weak," and warned that if they don't "dominate" protestors, he would used "the unlimited powers" of the federal military to enforce order, as if he were dealing with an insurrection rather than a series of protests against unwarranted police treatment of citizens.
Separately, news reports have noted that there is far more maltreatment of black citizens than of white Americans.
In a TV interview, Gov. J.B. Pritzker of Illinois, a Democrat, said the president "should be calling for calm," and not saying "outlandish, crazy things" that show him to be "a racist" using "inflammatory rhetoric."
In response to Pritzker's comment about inflammatory rhetoric, which he used in a telephone conversation with the president, the president replied, "I don't like your rhetoric, either."
Commentators pointed out that the president may be referring to the Insurrection Act of 1807 as an excuse to send in federal troops to deal with disturbances within a state. Experts pointed out, however, that he could do that only if state officials ask for federal help.
Governors regularly deploy National Guard forces -- the equivalent of a state militia -- to help with law enforcement, but an 1878 law forbids the national government from using its military as a police force within America. But unless the president invokes the Insurrection Act, bypassing state officials, he cannot send in federal troops unless requested by state governors.
But if the crisis continues and the president goes forward with his plans to dominate law enforcement, the nation may be "teetering on the brink of a dictatorship," in the phrase used by CNN news anchor Don Lemon.
Protestors had been in Lafayette Park for much of the day, and there had been no incidents.
Before walking to the park, the president spoke in the White House Rose Garden during prime news time, threatening to mobilize federal forces to deal with disturbances throughout the country unless governors use enough National Guard and police force to "dominate" gatherings of those protesting the police killing of an unarmed man in Minnesota one week ago.
In a telephone talk with governors before the church pose, the president charged that "Most of you are weak," and warned that if they don't "dominate" protestors, he would used "the unlimited powers" of the federal military to enforce order, as if he were dealing with an insurrection rather than a series of protests against unwarranted police treatment of citizens.
Separately, news reports have noted that there is far more maltreatment of black citizens than of white Americans.
In a TV interview, Gov. J.B. Pritzker of Illinois, a Democrat, said the president "should be calling for calm," and not saying "outlandish, crazy things" that show him to be "a racist" using "inflammatory rhetoric."
In response to Pritzker's comment about inflammatory rhetoric, which he used in a telephone conversation with the president, the president replied, "I don't like your rhetoric, either."
Commentators pointed out that the president may be referring to the Insurrection Act of 1807 as an excuse to send in federal troops to deal with disturbances within a state. Experts pointed out, however, that he could do that only if state officials ask for federal help.
Governors regularly deploy National Guard forces -- the equivalent of a state militia -- to help with law enforcement, but an 1878 law forbids the national government from using its military as a police force within America. But unless the president invokes the Insurrection Act, bypassing state officials, he cannot send in federal troops unless requested by state governors.
But if the crisis continues and the president goes forward with his plans to dominate law enforcement, the nation may be "teetering on the brink of a dictatorship," in the phrase used by CNN news anchor Don Lemon.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)