America and the Early Days of Trump

Twenty-five days in, and the new Administration is already hit with scandal, a rather silly one on the surface, but, who knows how deep it goes. Mike Flynn, National Security Advisor, has resigned because he talked sanctions with the Russian Ambassador.

Nothing illegal there, although it was a bad idea since they discussed sanctions, which are still hanging around. Then, Flynn supposedly lied to VP Pence who then went on TV saying the sanctions were not discussed. Well, it seems that the FBI heard the talks, information was leaked by someone, and it was 'bye bye Mikey.'

This story just does not quite add up. Flynn, is a General, trained in military discipline. It seems unlikely to me that he would, on his own, just start babbling to the Russians. Then, he claims he didn't remember if he talked of the sanctions. Huh? He doesn't remember. when this is one of the key issues in our foreign policy. Then, in a blink, he's gone. The question being asked is, did Trump know he was going to discuss that issue with the Russians. If so, things get a wee bit murky, since this discussion was in December when Trump was not yet President. Still, it would not be a huge issue, except for the idiotic attempt to cover it up. When you are a President that half the Nation does not like or trust and that even a substantial number of those that voted for, don't trust, you want to be squeaky clean while you get going. The whole thing seems like Nixon's Watergate. The cover up is worse than the crime and leaves the impression that the crime you are caught at is only the surface.

All that aside, we are still beset with demonstrations and court battles over the immigration orders. This was not a 'Muslim ban,' since the Nations covered only account for 10% of the World's Muslim's. It really does not even cover most Nations with terrorist activities. To cover such Nations, we would have to include Saudi Arabia, from which all but 1 of the 9/11 hijackers came and which was also the home of Osama ben Laden.

And, we would also have to include England, Spain, France, Germany and Belgium, all of them home to vast terrorist networks and scenes of horrific attacks.

Will the bans make us safer? Not a bit. Folks conveniently forget that the Orlando shooter was born in the USA, as were the Sandy Hook and Columbine shooters. The Virginia Tech shooter was Asian and not Muslim. Charles Whitman who, in 1966 killed and wounded many Texans while shooting from a tower, was a Texan and a Marine. Timothy McVeigh blew up a few hundred in Oklahoma City and  was American.

I want immigrants from the Mid East kept out for economic and cultural reasons. We cannot afford them and they have an annoying habit of wanting to impose their beliefs and practices on others. However, keeping them out will not much affect our safety. The issue is a smoke screen being used to hide a real agenda, or several possible agendas. Every player on the governmental scene has an agenda and who knows who will win.

And, this is part of the problem.   Trump has assembled a weird blend of establishment types and loose cannons. If he can control them and play one off the other, it just might work. The big issue is can he control himself and is he as powerful as he thinks. And, even if he is, when you are the alpha dog, someone will try to take your spot.

I urge all of you to learn this phrase: President Mike Pence. And for all of you Trumaphobes, out to dump Donald, be careful. You may get your wish and Pence, a devout Catholic and Christian Dominionist, will not be fun for you at all ( note: Christian Dominionists want America to be a strictly Christian Nation that basically follows Old Testament law and that tolerates no variation from the standard).

America - Meet Jeff Sessions

Last evening, Jeff Sessions was confirmed as our new Attorney General. Boy, is this going to be a change.

Sessions is a very bright and energetic man, a fine attorney, and long time Senator. He was a US District Attorney in Alabama. The man is a conservative and very definitely pro law and order.

No more will criminals be coddled as they were during the previous Administration. Gone are the wimpy days of Eric Holder and Loretta Lynch. This Administration has given notice, by naming Sessions to he post, that they are bring a halt to the lax prosecution of criminals that has become the norm in America.

The streets of America, not that long ago, were safe. Now, many of them, are near battle zones. This can be stopped and it will be stopped. No one wants overly harsh enforcement; we are not that kind of Country, but things have gotten completely out of hand.

This will be fun. Everyone needs to get used to the idea that times have changed. The people of the USA should be able to walk the streets. Organized crime is costing a lot of money and angst and must be stopped. Gang activity, slightly less organized crime, has made a nightmare of too many neighborhoods. Time for this to stop.

One last note: Those of you smoking weed, unless it's for legitimate medical reasons, best lay in a good stash. All that cheap Mexican weed is about to go away.

America and the Global Game of Risk

I don't know if people still play the old board game of Risk,, in which the goal was World conquest, but all over the World, that game is heating up and it needs to cool down.

Old alliances are breaking down. The EU is teetering and Brexit is looking more and more sure (the House of Commons has approved it and the House of Lords seems likely to follow).NATO is splintering, with Turkey growing very close to Russia and Trump vowing to review our role in that increasingly irrelevant organization.

The UN has grown so irrelevant that the US is talking about defunding it, or at least cutting the amount we contribute.

The Mid East is torn to bits. It seems that most of the Countries hate each other and share only one thing, their hatred of Israel. Israel must be feeling a tad better with Trump in office. They are undoubtedly glad to see Obama gone, but they must be getting a wee bit nervous over the increasing presence of Russia in the area, especially the great friendship between Russia, Iran, and Turkey. If Assad survives in Syria, he will join those three and I imagine Israel will begin to sweat a little.

Especially with Trump seemingly wanting to be buddies with Russia. I certainly agree that it is better to be cordial with Russia than at each other's throats, but we need to be very cautious. Putin is playing a different game than we are, and the more I read about it, the less I believe that we should trust the man. Reach agreements? Yes. Trust? No.

And what of Asia? That may be worse. China is growing very aggressive, now claiming islands traditionally thought of as Japan's and is claiming waters thought of as International. By all accounts, tales of their fantastic economy have been greatly exaggerated. South Korea is reeling from political corruption. Thailand and Myanmar are unstable. India and Pakistan are still at each other and still remain sewers barely fit for human habitation.  Japan is very jittery, in part because the insane fat kid in North Korea is still building nukes and trying to figure out how to build rockets that work (odd, it seems harder to build working missiles than it is to build nukes; peculiar).

Africa is a disaster. South Africa is relatively wealthy and stable, relatively, for now. The rest of the Continent is torn by tribal and religious wars, and is an ecological disaster, in part because of war, in part because of bad farming practices, and in part because of the whims of the Natural World. The last I heard, and this changes daily, Zimbabwe was almost inaccessible to outsiders and the Congo had 14 different armies fighting for power. The Northern Countries are worse.

South and Central America are slightly better than Africa, but only slightly. Disease, poverty and corrupt leaders, combined with ecological havoc caused by a combination of clear cutting rainforests, poor farming and worse mining procedures and Natural climate changes, have left a vastly over populated and impoverished people.

The big players, America, China, and Russia are playing Risk with the World. They are positioning troops, building industries and spending money in efforts to carve out their spheres of influence. It is fascinating to watch this game of imperialism play itself out, but it is a terrible idea. Imperialism was rampant in the 17th, 18th, and 19th centuries and it all played itself out in the early 20th Century when WW1 shocked the World. This led to WW2 which should have made it clear that imperialism is a really, really bad idea, but it seems that humans just don't learn. We are living in fascinating and very dangerous times.
  

America - Look at What's Happening

This weekend we are going to have the Super Bowl. We have been hit with controversy and protests over the immigration issue and Democrats are threatening all sorts of things they cannot do to stop Trump's SCOTUS appointment. Do not pay any attention to a bit of that. Ignore demonstrations in Berkley. Give not 15 seconds thought to possible LGBT discrimination or religious freedom rants.

Fascinating issues, one and all, but side shows. Watch Russia, Iran, Israel, China and Korea if you want to see the future. We are entering a war time era. Will we see true warfare any time soon? Maybe, but even if we do not, there will be incredible tension. When? Good question. Ten minutes from now is a distinct possibility. Within 10 years is almost a sure bet. However, there is a way out, for the USA. The folks running this Administration, and how much that includes Trump I don't know and really don't care (Trump may be part of the side show), are smart and competent. Russia is playing odd games, but we can deal with them, carefully. China is desperate. They cannot grow enough food and with increasing efficiency in American industries, we really do not need them to turn out cheap goods. S. Korea is a corrupt mess and N. Korea seemingly has a suicide wish because they keep stirring the hornet's nest, even though they cannot possibly get their way. Iran and Israel will, one day, finally blow up and Iran will be no more.

But, what do we do? We seem to be moving on 2 fronts. One, fear. We are scaring the crap out of other nations while getting ready to rebuild and modernize our already awesome military. Second, withdrawal. We are closing borders, ousting illegals and making it clear that all future economic deals will favor us. Corporations are coming home and seem to understand that in the current world atmosphere, home is the safest place to be. They even seem willing to boost the sagging lifestyle of the average American, maybe because of altruism but, certainly because they know a somewhat prosperous middle class (which has been decimated by previous Administrations) is not going to be given to upsetting the apple cart.

So, again, if all goes well, things will be okay, maybe even good. But that will only happen after a very rocky period.

America - Throw a Party

I have a suggestion. In light of all of the protests, the wailing and gnashing of teeth, the street violence, the endless parade of whining celebrities, Americans should respond by throwing a party. Every time a protest is scheduled, folks should arrange to set aside a section of a park or some other public place, with proper permits, of course, and celebrate.

Stay away from counter protests and avoid the possibility of violent confrontation. Don't march and carry signs insulting the opposition. Ignore them and throw a party. Tell the media; local media will quite likely respond. Let every one know that this celebration is your reaction to the nasty, hateful marching and yelling.

It doesn't have to be fancy. Hot dogs and burgers, or even just some cheap snacks. Sodas, beer if allowed, maybe some fruit punch. Schedule games, with maybe some little, silly prizes. Have some music, a variety, so ever one will have something to enjoy. Just a party.

This is the way to deal with the hateful. Just ignore them and have a celebration. Invite everyone. Bring the family. Let the protesters know that you are happy and that you are going to be part of the solution to our Nation's problems and that their ranting and raving does not bother you in the least.

America and Immigration

Today, the new Administration begins the daunting task of dealing with immigration. We really have no idea how many illegal immigrants there are in this Country, but it is a massive amount. We once welcomed immigrants to this Country, but things have changed. People refuse to get this. We are no longer a sparsely populated agrarian economy, nor are we a burgeoning industrial economy. Economically, we are in some period of transition. We just have no idea what we are transitioning to. But, one thing we have no lack of is workers. Economically we do not need more of them.

Illegal immigrants work cheap and are willing to do so because, when they go home or send money home, it is more than they would make in their native land. This willingness to work for low wages, drives down wages for the rest of us. I have lived in areas where illegals are present in large numbers. Because they make little, they are willing to cram as many people into small dwellings as they can. The more people, the less each has to pay for rent. This, in turn, depresses the housing prices in those areas. It also taxes sanitation, education and medical facilities in those areas. Also, poverty breeds crime. These may be politically incorrect statements, but, too bad; they are true.

That whole crime issue should be stressed. Of course not all illegal immigrants are hard core criminals (although the fact that they are here illegally does make them criminals), but things are not what they used to be. A great many have brought with them their gang affiliations and the Mexican gangs are responsible for an enormous amount of drugs entering the Nation.

We simply do not need these people here. They need to go home and, fix the things are that bad there, start a movement to change their homeland.

As far as legal immigration goes, when some one has a skill that is needed in America, great, let them enter, with some noted exceptions and conditions. People from the various terrorist torn lands should not enter. The conditions are simply too volatile and we cannot do adequate vetting. The screening processes would be too time consuming, too costly, and quite frankly, any skills they may have are also possessed by our own people, many of whom are in need of jobs.

The other condition must be acceptance of American law. Keep your religion. Keep your customs. But, only when they do not violate our laws. I bring this up for two reasons. First, there are cultures in Africa, India, and the Mid East that practice such repulsive traditions as female genital mutilation and honor killings. This cannot be tolerated in America and if these people believe that any insistence that give up these reprehensible practices violates their religious freedom, too bad. If they are still in their native lands, let them stay there. If they have immigrated, deport them.

The second problem links to the first. In Europe, Muslim communities have set up areas that are governed by sharia law, a brutally harsh set of laws. There are a few American Muslim communities who would do the same. This is not acceptable. Those who think that we should allow them freedom to do this are idiots. Sharia law includes dress codes for women, restricts education for women, all but prohibits such American traditions as boys and girls dating, practices arranged marriages, and prescribes as penalties for violations of the law stoning and beheading.

In short, why are we debating this? Illegal aliens  are just that, illegal. Deport them and let them apply for legal immigration. Allow that only if they have a marketable skill. Do not allow immigration from lands that are problematic. It really is that simple.

America - Watch Your Backs

Today is the first real work day of the new Administration. I like the direction things are heading and this may work. But, it is going to be a very rocky road, at least for a while.

You are witnessing a massive conflict between two groups who are fighting over what will be the future of the Country. No, I am not talking about Democrats and Republicans.

For a long while, we have been maneuvered and manipulated by those wanting a powerful, central Federal Government, one that would ultimately blend in seamlessly with a powerful, centrist World Government. This is an old idea. In this Country, it really started to take hold when Reagan was shot and Bush 1 became the real force in Washington. It continued through the years of Clinton, Bush 2 and Obama. Forget Parties. They quibbled over fine doctrinal points, but in essence, they were the same.

The Plan, was that either Jeb Bush would become Bush 3 or that Hillary would become Clinton 2. Well, that did not work. Trump is backed by another group. America first is also an old idea, quite popular in the pre-WW2 days. Folks, after the nightmarish First World War, wanted no part of a Second. In fact, they elected Roosevelt because he promised to keep us out of any European conflict, before he dumped us into a European conflict. Woodrow Wilson did the same thing with WW1.

Folks, a lot of them, enough to upset the Election, have decided that we do want to put America first. Mind you, we are not wishing others harm, we h=just want to deal with our own business, ourselves. Seems reasonable to me.

Even more, we feel that States should deal with local issues, not the Federal Government. Think for a moment. Florida does not have the same issues that Montana does and New Mexico's problems are not the same as Maine's. So why does Washington feel it should dictate to the States.

In addition, different folks have different values and that is, mostly, protected by the Constitution. If a group of parents in Alabama have different thoughts on subjects such as education, abortion, gay marriages, and marijuana legalizations than folks in Massachusetts, the why should they not have varying laws. The Constitution does not cover these areas and says that anything that it does not cover, should be left up to the States. The Federal government only has the right to intervene when the States do business with each other and then it is to set up reasonable laws that respect all sides and that are to be enforced only during the interstate processes.

President Trump has surrounded himself with people who are America first people and people who want to take a lot of the money, and money is power, out of Washington and give it back to States and to individuals. Those who have just been ousted and those who are demonstrating in the streets are aghast.

The demonstrators seem to think that. left on their own, individuals will begin some combination of the Salem witch trials and the Spanish Inquisition. The Old Guard Power Brokers are frantic because their plans have come unglued. The first group are silly people who will soon calm down.

The second group will not go quietly. Look for them to pull every dirty trick and produce reams of fake news reports in their efforts to depose President Trump. Do not be taken in by them. Not now, not when we are on the brink of getting our Nation back.

However, they had best think twice, or maybe more, before they act, because, waiting in the wings is Mike Pence and he make Donald Trump look like a raving liberal. Stay tuned. This ought to be fun.