When an Ambassador calls you “inept,” “insecure,” and “incompetent,” one would think that you would take efforts to respond in a way that showed you are professional, controlled, and dispassionate. Yet, after the secret communications of Britain’s ambassador to the US, Kim Darroch, were leaked, Trump went on the attack and declared that Darroch is a “a very stupid guy” and a “pompous fool.” Moreover, he declared that, because he insulted Trump, no one in the Administration would deal with the representative of one of our oldest and closest allies. It is important to note that Darroch is not only widely respected throughout the world as a diplomat but never intended for these comments to be made public. He was sharing his unvarnished views with his government — something that all ambassadors are expected to do. Update: Darroch has now resigned.
Category: Politics
Gonzaga University School of Law Visiting Law Professor Jeffrey Omari has written a column in the ABA Journal that demonstrates the increasingly shrill environment faced by conservative students. Omari took to the pages of the Journal to recount his almost breathless encounter with a student wearing a “Make America Great Again” (MAGA) hat. Most of us are used to students wearing political hats and teeshirts. I am always happy to see students with such clothing because it shows that they are engaged and passionate regardless of their views. For Omari, the incident was chilling since he declares the MAGA hats worn by many conservatives to be per se racist symbols. Continue reading “Law Professor: MAGA Hat “Undeniable Symbol Of White Supremacy””
Many people were surprised yesterday when former President Bill Clinton finally made a public statement after over a decade on his relationship with convicted felon and billionaire Jeffrey Epstein. Epstein was charged this week with sex trafficking and conspiracy. Clinton has long been connected with over two dozen flights on Epstein’s place, often called the “Lolita Express” for its reputation for underaged girls and orgies. Clinton also reportedly told the Secret Service not to accompany him on some flights with Epstein. Clinton now denies ever traveling without the Secret Service and claims that he only flew with Epstein four times on routine flights. Various people are challenging that account including the journalist, Conchita Sarnoff, who previously wrote on the flight logs and records showing Clinton’s trip. Continue reading “Clinton Challenged On Denial Of Epstein Flights and Knowledge Of Crimes”
We have previously discussed concerns events were organizers have increased charges or even banned people due to the gender or race Now a music and arts festival in Detroit is charging fans different prices depending on their skin color. AfroFuture Fest, to be held on August 3-4 3-4, are charging lower rates for tickets bought by “people of color” than for “non-people of color”. While one artist has stood against the racist policy and refused to appear, there is a notable muted response from many local politicians and the other musicians who are willing to appear at such an event. Continue reading “Detroit Festival Imposes Racist Entry Fee On Fans”
Trump may have just polled his best numbers with citizens, but one opposing view is clearly Britain’s Ambassador to Washington, Sir Kim Darroch. Leaked secret memos shows Darroch describing Trump as “inept,” “insecure” and “incompetent.” The disclosure could present serious problems for not just Darroch but U.S./U.K. relations. Trump is notoriously sensitive to such criticism and Great Britain will now have to consider whether Darroch should be recalled in the interests of diplomacy. Update: The British government has supported their ambassador for offering his good-faith and honest opinions. Trump later responded and said “We are not big fans of that man and he has not served the UK well … I can say things about him but I won’t bother.”
Notorious billionaire Jeffrey Epstein has been arrested on sex trafficking charges in New York. The arrest comes after months of litigation linked to Epstein’s controversial plea bargain over a decade ago. Ongoing litigation over sealed records recently led to an order to unseal, including material linked to Harvard Professor Alan Dershowitz who has denied allegations that the underaged girls were ordered to sleep with him. Epstein is accused of trafficking dozens of minors in New York and Florida between 2002 and 2005. He will appear in court in New York on Monday, Continue reading “Jeffrey Epstein Arrested In New York”
Mara Gay, a member of the New York Times editorial board, is under fire for her angry response to Sen. Ted Cruz quoting Frederick Douglass. Cruz was responding to a quote posted by former NFL quarterback Colin Kaepernick and posted a link to the whole speech from Douglass. Rather than disagree with Cruz’ point that Douglass was not (as suggested by Kaepernick) against the Fourth of July, Gay lashed out to Cruz, a conservative Republican even uttering his name. Cruz declared the Civil War-era abolitionist’s “name has no business in your mouth.” Continue reading “NYT Editorial Board Member Objects To Cruz Even Uttering The Name Of Frederick Douglass”
There is another poll out that spells trouble for President Donald Trump if the Democrats do not succeed again in losing the unloseable election. There are now more people supporting impeachment of President Trump than there are people supporting Donald Trump. Forty-three percent support him while fifty-four percent oppose him. However, there are other problems lurking in these latest Gallop numbers.
Continue reading “Poll: 45 Percent Support Impeachment While 43 Percent Support Trump”
Below is my column in The Hill Newspaper. Even after Nike embraced Colin Kaepernick, I was flabbergasted by the decision of Nike to pull sneakers showing the early American flag because Kaepernick found it offensive. Supporters of Kaepernick has insisted that the flag is now a symbol of white supremacists. I do not know about the adoption by white supremacists but I am familiar with the flag being used by prior protesters ranging from Civil Rights marchers to anti-Vietnam activists as well as displayed at events like President Barack Obama’s inauguration. Today, the Anti-Defamation League added its voice in saying that “We view it as essentially an innocuous historical flag. It’s not a thing in the white supremacist movement.”
Nevertheless, Nike has clearly decided that it will write off those citizens who feel strongly about the flag as a national symbol and play to Kaepernick’s base. The company’s sales went up seven percent after its controversial decision to hire Kaepernick for its campaign in 2018. Yet, the move has also hurt its brand with a sizable number of Americans and the latest move will likely weigh heavily on many not to buy Nike products. Many of us are not inclined to buy Nike products in light of its extreme position on the flag.
Here is the column: Continue reading ““Just Don’t Buy It”: Nike Controversy Is About More Than Sneakers”
Many of us were appalled by the decision of Nike to pull sneakers displaying the Betsy Ross flag after former NFL quarterback Colin Kaepernick declared the flag to be offensive. As I discussed in my column, the decision shows an effort not just to protest the flag or anthem but to deter others who would want to honor it. Now, two Democratic presidential candidates, former HUD Secretary Julián Castro and Beto O’Rourke have supported Nike in the move. Continue reading “Two Democratic Presidential Candidates Support Nike In Pulling Sneakers With American Flag”
There certainly seems to be a lack of consensus in the Trump Administration over the census question. Yesterday both the Commerce Department and the Justice Department confirmed that the Administration would drop the controversial census question over undocumented status after the stinging defeat before the Supreme Court. Even conservative justices threw up their hands by the lack of foundation laid by the Trump Administration on the need or rationale for the question. Now there is utter confusion as the President insists that this Administration will litigate the issue again.
For years, some of us have criticized President Trump for his reference to the media as the “enemy of the people.” While Trump has indicated that he adopted the attacks to appease his supporters, the danger is that many would believe it. Now a new Hill-Harris X poll shows that one-third of Americans say the news media is “the enemy of the people.” Not coincidentally, that figure matches Trump’s core base that remains firm in the polls. However, it shows that this mantra is believed by millions of Americans, who are now viewing the media as the enemy. Continue reading “One-Third of Americans Say Media Is “The Enemy of the People””
If Democrat Rep. Frederica Wilson wanted to deter people from “making fun” of members of Congress, she went terribly wrong. People are heaping scorn on her call for people to be “prosecuted” for making fun of members. Making fun of members is speech that is clearly protected under the First Amendment. Indeed, it is a practice going back to the founding of the Republic. Wilson (who has been long teased over her elaborate faux jewel-encrusted cowboy hats) appears to moving from making breathtaking fashion to constitutional statements. Continue reading “Democratic Rep Calls For The Prosecution Of People “Making Fun” Of Members Of Congress”
We have previously discussed how the controversial EU President Jean-Claude Juncker has dismissed the notion of national boundaries and called nationalists “stupid.” Various countries are faced with parties seeking to exit from the European Union as the EU exercised more and more control over every aspect of life in various countries. Rather than look for a figure to allay such concerns, the EU is moving toward a leader who has called for a United States of Europe with a single military. Ursula von der Leyen is Angela Merkel’s defense minister and was proposed by EU leaders to take over in October as the new leader in Brussels. Continue reading “EU Moves To Select Leader Who Has Called For A “United States Of Europe””
Rep. Duncan Hunter surprised many when he was able to secure reelection after being hit with major corruption charges. His wife has already pleaded guilty in a case involving such allegations as spending campaign funds on lavish dinners, private school for their children, and most notably plane tickets for their pet rabbit. Now Hunter has lost a major motion after U.S. District Judge Thomas Whelan ruled that evidence of his extramarital affairs can be raised in his corruption trial. It was the correct ruling and makes an already tough corruption trial into a perfect nightmare for defense counsel.
Continue reading “Court: Rep. Hunter’s Alleged Affairs Are Admissible In His Corruption Trial”