Religious bigotry in the USA exists and now it will have a political platform all it's own.

The Catholic Church takes itself seriously. They do not take kindly to the removal of religious freedom in the USA.

January 31, 2017

Washington—On January 27, 2017, (click here) President Donald J. Trump issued an executive order that, among other things: suspends issuance of visas and other immigration benefits to nationals of seven predominantly Muslim countries for 90 days; indefinitely suspends resettlement of refugees from Syria, which is also predominantly Muslim, subject to a possible exception for those who are "religious minorities" in their home countries and facing religious persecution; and suspends virtually the entire U.S. refugee resettlement program for 120 days, also subject to a possible exception for such "religious minorities."

Most Reverend Mitchell T. Rozanski, Bishop of Springfield and Chairman of the USCCB Committee on Ecumenical and Interreligious Affairs, Most Reverend William E. Lori, Archbishop of Baltimore and Chairman of the USCCB Ad Hoc Committee for Religious Liberty, and Most Reverend Oscar Cantú, Bishop of Las Cruces and Chairman of the USCCB Committee on International Justice and Peace, jointly issued the following statement in response to this action:

"We recognize that Friday evening's Executive Order has generated fear and untold anxiety among refugees, immigrants, and others throughout the faith community in the United States. In response to the Order, we join with other faith leaders to stand in solidarity again with those affected by this order, especially our Muslim sisters and brothers. We also express our firm resolution that the Order's stated preference for "religious minorities" should be applied to protect not only Christians where they are a minority, but all religious minorities who suffer persecution, which includes Yazidis, Shia Muslims in majority Sunni areas, and vice versa. While we also recognize that the United States government has a duty to protect the security of its people, we must nevertheless employ means that respect both religious liberty for all, and the urgency of protecting the lives of those who desperately flee violence and persecution. It is our conviction as followers of the Lord Jesus that welcoming the stranger and protecting the vulnerable lie at the core of the Christian life. And so, to our Muslim brothers and sisters and all people of faith, we stand with you and welcome you."

I would anticipate the Catholic Church' priests will begin to talk about religious oppression to their congregations. I would expect the conversations during this administration in Washington to include the harsh treatment of people in Muslim countries around the world.

2 February 2017

Subsidiarity is an organizing principle that matters ought to be handled by the smallest, lowest or least centralized competent authority. Political decisions should be taken at a local level if possible, rather than by a central authority.


All of the Catholics caring and realizing the exceptional power and equity of a local government and local economy are in step with Pope Francis. 

CHAIR OF USCCB INTERNATIONAL COMMITTEE (click here) CALLS ON TRUMP ADMINISTRATION TO PURSUE PEACE BETWEEN ISRAELIS AND PALESTINIANS

WASHINGTON — In a letter issued yesterday congratulating Secretary Rex Tillerson on his confirmation as Secretary of State, Bishop Oscar Cantú, chair of the Committee on International Justice and Peace of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB), called on the Secretary to work for peace in Israel and Palestine.

Bishop Cantú, who recently participated in a solidarity visit to Israel and Palestine, enclosed a joint communiqué by bishops from Europe, Canada, South Africa and the United States. The bishop notes that “2017 marks the fiftieth anniversary of a crippling occupation of the West Bank, East Jerusalem and Gaza, crippling for both peoples.”  Quoting the joint communiqué of the bishops, he goes on to state that “[t]he occupation violates ‘the human dignity of both Palestinians and Israelis.’  Settlement expansion on occupied Palestinian lands undermines a two-state solution, destroying the homes and the livelihoods of Palestinians as well as the long-term security and future of Israelis.”

Decrying “egregious injustices and random acts of violence,” Bishop Cantú expressed the opposition of U.S. and international bishops to Israeli settlement expansion and confiscation of Palestinian lands. In addition, he implored the Secretary to maintain the U.S. embassy in Tel Aviv. He wrote, “Moving the embassy to Jerusalem would erode the U.S. commitment to a two-state solution, and is a threat to pursuing peace and ending conflict. Its impact would incite and destabilize the area, compromising U.S. security. As Pope Francis declares, ‘the two-state solution must become a reality and not merely a dream.’”...

No further a wall between church and state in the USA. The slow march to a theocratic Protestant country. Quite a gift to those that line his cabinet.



February 2, 2017
By Gregory Korte

President Trump (click here) promised faith leaders Thursday that he would "totally destroy" the law that prohibits churches from engaging in political activity, a move that would upend 63 years of settled tax law.

In an appearance at the annual National Prayer Breakfast, Trump said he would make good on his promise to overturn the so-called Johnson Amendment, which bans public charities — including churches — from campaigning for or against a candidate for for elected office. Those who do risk losing their tax exemption.

"Among those freedoms is the right to worship according to our own beliefs. That is why I will get rid of and totally destroy the Johnson Amendment and allow our representatives of faith to speak freely and without fear of retribution," Trump said. "I will do that, remember."

The statement was met by enthusiastic applause from the religious leaders.

The 1954 law is named for its author, then-senator Lyndon Johnson. Because it's in the tax code, any change would have to come from Congress....

Pope Francis held a multi-religious service at the 911 Memorial. It was to strength all religions to fight the prejudice, hatred and victimization of people.

Mr. Trump will find little welcome to his particular brand of hatred.

Pope Francis’ Speech at 9/11 Memorial Museum

I feel many different emotions (click here) standing here at Ground Zero, where thousands of lives were taken in a senseless act of destruction. Here grief is palpable. The water we see flowing towards that empty pit reminds us of all those lives which fell prey to those who think that destruction, tearing down, is the only way to settle conflicts. It is the silent cry of those who were victims of a mindset which knows only violence, hatred and revenge. A mindset which can only cause pain, suffering, destruction and tears....

Pope Francis (L) listens during a multi-religious service at the 9/11 Memorial and Museum on September 25, 2015 in New York City.

This image of the standard of inclusion set that day was recorded by Reuters.

January 30, 2017
By David Leonhardt

Let’s not mince words. (click here) President Trump’s recent actions are an attempt to move the United States away from being the religiously free country that the founders created — and toward becoming an aggressively Christian country hostile to other religions.

On Friday, his White House deliberately excluded mention of Jews from its statement on Holocaust Remembrance Day. A Trump aide, Hope Hicks, explained that mentioning Jews would have been unfair to the Holocaust’s other victims — a line that happens to be a longtime trope of anti-Semites and Holocaust deniers in Europe.

“The Holocaust was about the Jews,” former Reagan speechwriter John Podhoretz wrote in Commentary this weekend, “There is no ‘proud’ way to offer a remembrance of the Holocaust that does not reflect that simple, awful, world-historical fact.”...

Indeed. There are more protestant voters in the USA than any other individual religion, however, there are more religious voters in the USA than protestant voters. The Southern Baptist Convention is where most African Americans can be found when it comes to religious practices. Will they stand aside from their white counter part if the bigotry continues?

Perhaps. Just perhaps the bigotry that currently exists is enough!



Will Pagans be allowed to have a religious political platform as well.

June 29, 2014
By Hrafnkell Haraldsson

...A person (click here) should not have to pretend to be Christian to be treated like everybody else. The area he lives in is 75 percent Christian, but according to the U.S. Constitution, that does not mean that the remaining 25 percent have no rights. Yet, according to the Religious Right, that is exactly the case, an example of the so-called “excesses of democracy” the Constitution was written to prevent. The Founders feared that exactly this would result if the rights of minorities were not protected.

They cannot say he does not represent the community when he is part of that community, and a government is supposed to represent all its people, not just the majority view....

The United States of America was built and maintained by Americans of all faiths and backgrounds. This administration is trampling their honor.

January 25, 2017

By Phil Plait

...This may be true. BuzzFeed and the Associated Press, (click here) however, obtained internal emails from the EPA and USDA that indicate the new administration is gagging people at the two government agencies, forbidding them from tweeting, going on any social media, or issuing press releases about their science. The only news they are allowed to issue must be vetted first. Also, in the case of the EPA, a Trump administration order has frozen grants and any new business. Note that the EPA has been under heavy attack by the GOP for years.

Frozen grants will prevent new business. Those monies are spent. They generate commerce. The more agencies are deprived their funding the economy will be effected.

RESEARCH equates to NEW BUSINESS! In case no one in the Trump White House recognizes the word, research is the same thing as R&D. C students at the Warton School of Economics (click here) (a division of the PUBLIC university; "University of Pennsylvania"), may have missed that part of their education.

For what it’s worth, the USDA has disavowed the order … kind of. They say, “This internal email was released without Departmental direction, and prior to Departmental guidance being issued. ARS [Agricultural Research Service] will be providing updated direction to its staff." So they’re not saying it wasn’t true or wasn’t issued, they’re just saying that it wasn’t issued officially. We’ll see soon how this will play out. Update, Jan. 25, 2017, at 16:30 UTC: After the public outcry, the USDA has rescinded the gag order. BuzzFeed has the story.

Update, Jan. 25, 2017, at 22:00 UTC: The Trump administration has told EPA employees to "stand down" and not take down the climate change pages. This is potentially great news, but I will take it with a grain of salt: Doug Ericksen, a Washington state senator and climate change denier, is part of the transition team for the EPA and has been quoted as saying, "We’re looking at scrubbing [the climate section of the EPA site] up a bit, putting a little freshener on it, and getting it back up to the public." Given that Erickson doubts climate change even exists, that statement fills me with little confidence....

I agree with Reuters. Reuters is one of the few international media organizations that all others rely on. It also respected as an accurate media service that brings information to USA intelligence and military contractors. Reuters doesn't mess around, it has a job to do and it will carry it out in a way that is effective and reliable.

There are many, many lies put forth by the Trump White House on a daily if not hourly basis. The intention is to steer inflammatory statements away from the operations of this administration and it's majority Congress.

February 1, 2017

By Lizzie Dearden

One of the world’s largest news agencies (click here) has instructed its journalists to "practice skills learned" in hostile countries and warzones while reporting on the Trump administration.

In a message to thousands of Reuters reporters and photographers, its editor-in-chief offered advice on how to address the many “challenges” raised by Donald Trump’s presidency.

“It’s not every day that a US President calls journalists ‘among the most dishonest human beings on earth’ or that his chief strategist dubs the media ‘the opposition party’,” Steve Adler wrote.

“We don’t know yet how sharp the Trump administration’s attacks will be over time or to what extent those attacks will be accompanied by legal restrictions on our news-gathering.”...                   

Ending Hamas' rockets is not a measure to peace. It takes courage to realize that.

Hamas use of rockets can be easily viewed as a defense against genocide.

May 25, 2011
By Ronit Avni

...We can begin (click here) by encouraging the incoming Obama administration to take into account the needs of both peoples - not just one side - in the interest of long-term peace; we can demand that they exhaust all diplomatic channels to end this conflict. We can call on the Israeli government to negotiate a halt to settlement expansion so that Palestinians feel the dividends of diplomacy. We can continue to condemn the indiscriminate bombing of civilians in southern Israel by Hamas so that people like my colleague, Anat, can stop spending time in bomb shelters with their children. We can demand a ceasefire in Gaza that, in JStreet‘s words, “ends all military operations, stops the rockets aimed at Israel, institutes an effective mechanism to prevent weapons smuggling into Gaza, and lifts the blockade,” so that Gazans like Alaa Hajjaj, after days huddled with his 40-member extended family in a home with no water or electricity, can once again see daylight. We can invite journalists to feature the voices of bridge-builders on an ongoing basis so that their calls don’t get drowned out by extremists. We can discourage our fellow Americans from becoming settlers or from buying settlement properties. To curb incitement, instead of using sticks, we can reintroduce carrots into the negotiation process. We can support only those leaders that see no good way forward but peace.

Clearly, numerous choices remain.... 

Anyone can pick up guns, kill indiscriminately, roll bulldozers into neighborhoods and send drones to spy and kill, but, to harness the real essence of peace is the real definition of strength under fire.

21 August 2016
By Yonah Jeremy Bob

...Despite targeting Hamas, (click here) the IDF declined to identify who was responsible for firing the rockets, but Palestinian reports indicated that it was the Abu Alu Mustafa Brigades, the “military” arm of the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine....

When the goal is to take all the land currently Palestine and even beyond Palestine, who cares who dies the politics are more important.

The United States was not interested in displacing a highly qualified candidate for President. Trump was Russia's choice because he is a weak president.

Kaspersky is a highly regarded security firm in the USA. The civilian arrested in Russia should be returned to the USA.

February 1, 2017
By Svetlana Reiter

Russian authorities (click here) have charged two officers in the Federal Security Service and an employee of cyber security firm Kaspersky Lab with committing treason in the interests of the United States, a lawyer representing one of the three said.

Ivan Pavlov identified the three as Ruslan Stoyanov, head of Kaspersky's computer incidents investigation team, and two officers working for the FSB's Information Security Centre, Sergei Mikhailov and Dmitry Dokuchayev.

"My client, along with the others, has been charged with state treason and cooperating with U.S. intelligence services," Ivan Pavlov told Reuters.

The arrests were made at a time of heightened tensions between Washington and Moscow after U.S. intelligence officials accused Russian hackers of sabotaging last year's U.S. election in favour of President Donald Trump....

Legislation in the 115th Congress is focusing on expanding corruption of government. I mean the EPA? Are they crazy? More accidents and incidents and deaths/illnesses of Americans.

US Representative Matt Gaetz, from the panhandle in Florida, wrote a bill to abolish the EPA. Koch Industries, Inc. PAC (click here) paid him $5000.00 to do it.

A family business with an IPO wants to destroy the US EPA and there are Congressmen to do it. This is really a shame. Gaetz is new to Congress and this is what he decided is most important.

The Republicans are corrupt. They simply are.

Below is the entry on Page 3 of "Details for Candidate ID: H6FL01119; Other Committees Contributions - GAETZ, MATT" from the Federal Election Commission: 

JM FAMILY ENTERPRISES, INC. PAC		DEERFIELD BEACH	FL	33442	06/20/2016	$2,000
JOHN S FUND		EDWARDSVILLE	IL	62025	09/22/2016	$1,000
JUSTIN GABRELLE FOR CONGRESS		BROOKSVILLE	FL	34605	09/30/2016	$50
KOCH INDUSTRIES, INC. PAC		WASHINGTON	DC	20005	10/26/2016	$5,000
LOCKHEED MARTIN CORP. EMPLOYEE'S PAC		ARLINGTON	VA	22202	08/13/2016	$5,000
LOCKHEED MARTIN CORP. EMPLOYEE'S PAC		ARLINGTON	VA	22202	10/13/2016	$5,000
LUKE MESSER FOR CONGRESS

After all the problems caused in the petroleum industry one would expect government to help to prevent such problems again.

June 29, 2016

The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) (click here) announced its adoption of rules which will require resource extraction issuers to disclose payments that are not de minimis made to governments for the commercial development of oil, natural gas, or minerals.

This includes payments made to the United States federal government as well as foreign governments.  The disclosures will appear in Form SD, which will be required to be filed annually within 150 days of the issuer’s fiscal year end beginning with fiscal years ending after September 30, 2018.

“We are adopting Rule 13q-1 and an amendment to Form SD to implement Section 1504 of the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act relating to the disclosure of payments by resource extraction issuers,” the SEC memo states....

The Republicans have decided the free market system (the system that crashes everything) is better than obtaining information and GOVERNING.

Providing for congressional disapproval under chapter 8 of title 5, (click here) United States Code, of a rule submitted by the Securities and Exchange Commission relating to “Disclosure of Payments by Resource Extraction Issuers”.

The SEC is a long standing agency to protect Americans from the ravages of Wall Street. It was developed by the USA government and became a lawful organization in 1934.

It is the responsibility of the Commission to: 

• interpret and enforce federal securities laws;
• issue new rules and amend existing rules;
• oversee the inspection of securities firms, brokers, investment advisers, and ratings agencies;
• oversee private regulatory organizations in the securities, accounting, and auditing fields; and
• coordinate U.S. securities regulation with federal, state, and foreign authorities.

Congress has the right of a joint resolution under the law. This is a crony effort by Congress and the US Senate already has it's own bill. The interruption of Congress in the smooth governance of the SEC will result in unstable economic conditions in the USA.

Hubris is not governance and corruption is corruption.

January 24, 2017
By Ben Grossman-Cohen

Breaking news today (click here) from the House of Representatives is that Representative Bill Huizenga (R-MI) is gathering support from his fellow Republicans to gut one of the signature bi-partisan anti-corruption laws passed in the last 8 years.

Huizenga plans to introduce a bill today that will roll-back the anti-corruption rule known as “Section 1504,” which requires oil and mining companies to publish the payments they make to governments around the world. This transparency measure was passed to ensure people in poor countries can follow the money and to break the “resource curse”, which has plagued poor countries like Nigeria, Angola, Equatorial Guinea and more. It’s one of the most important anti-corruption/anti-poverty laws that Congress has passed in recent years and was spearheaded by Republican Senator Richard Lugar and Democratic Senator Ben Cardin.

So why is Rep. Huizenga trying to make it easier to engage in corruption in poor countries? Could the $46,050 he’s received from oil and gas interests be one reason? One week into the new Trump administration, is this really Congress’ top priority?...

There is ALWAYS only one thing on the mind of Republicans, "How can we cheat?" It is their stock and trade. They cannot deny it and here is more of it. Rep. Bill Huizenga has two bills now that promote corruption and one overrides the governance of the SEC.

The 20,000 DOW will not last. Wall Street is not self-governing.

People who sell and trade securities – brokers, dealers, and exchanges – must treat investors fairly and honestly, putting investors' interests first.

The reason the SEC was organized and passed into law by Congress was due to the Great Depression. It was legislated to protect the US economy and stabilize it. To allow this level of corruption to exist is simply wrong. The people of the USA don't understand the intricacies of governing and it shows.

Both these measures passed the same day.

Providing for consideration (click here) of the joint resolution (H.J. Res. 41) providing for congressional disapproval under chapter 8 of title 5, United States Code, of a rule submitted by the Securities and Exchange Commission relating to “Disclosure of Payments by Resource Extraction Issuers”, and providing for consideration of the joint resolution (H.J. Res. 40) providing for congressional disapproval under chapter 8 of title 5, United States Code, of the rule submitted by the Social Security Administration relating to Implementation of the NICS Improvement Amendments Act of 2007.

Resolved, That upon adoption of this resolution it shall be in order to consider in the House the joint resolution (H.J. Res. 41) providing for congressional disapproval under chapter 8 of title 5, United States Code, of a rule submitted by the Securities and Exchange Commission relating to “Disclosure of Payments by Resource Extraction Issuers”. All points of order against consideration of the joint resolution are waived. The joint resolution shall be considered as read. All points of order against provisions in the joint resolution are waived. The previous question shall be considered as ordered on the joint resolution and on any amendment thereto to final passage without intervening motion except: (1) one hour of debate equally divided and controlled by the chair and ranking minority member of the Committee on Financial Services; and (2) one motion to recommit.

Sec. 2. Upon adoption of this resolution it shall be in order to consider in the House the joint resolution (H.J. Res. 40) providing for congressional disapproval under chapter 8 of title 5, United States Code, of the rule submitted by the Social Security Administration relating to Implementation of the NICS Improvement Amendments Act of 2007. All points of order against consideration of the joint resolution are waived. The joint resolution shall be considered as read. All points of order against provisions in the joint resolution are waived. The previous question shall be considered as ordered on the joint resolution and on any amendment thereto to final passage without intervening motion except: (1) one hour of debate equally divided and controlled by the chair and ranking minority member of the Committee on the Judiciary or their respective designees; and (2) one motion to recommit.

January 31, 2017
By Emily Schultheis

...The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (click here) said Monday that even just during the 120-day period covered by the travel ban, approximately 20,000 refugees might have otherwise settled in the U.S. Those figures are based on monthly averages over the last 15 years.

“Refugees are anxious, confused and heartbroken at this suspension in what is already a lengthy process,” the UN’s statement read, noting that High Commissioner Filippo Grandi is “deeply worried” by the “uncertainty” now facing these refugees....

Another Trump backlash.

Unfortunately, all the major powers in the world never ratified "The UN Small Arms Treaty" (click here). So, this increase in violence can be backed by Russia. The United Nations needs to address those concerns. Russia's involvement in Ukraine and this increase in violence is a clear indication Russia has no plans for peace with Trump or otherwise. When realizing the propaganda produced by Russia and China since the Ultra White Trump administration took office there is a clear indication of burgeoning war. Kindly remember Russia stated it was the White Supremacists killed at the Maidan.

I don't trust Trump, Russia or China. Things are not as they appear.

31 January 2017

Amid outburst of violence in Ukraine, (click here) the United Nations Security Council and the top humanitarian official there expressed grave concern today about the “dangerous deterioration” of the situation in the country’s eastern region and its severe impact on the local civilian population.

In a press statement, Council members condemned the use of weapons prohibited by the Minsk agreements along the contact line in Donetsk region that lead to deaths and injuries, including among civilians.

The members of the Security Council expressed their full support of sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine and underlined the need for strict compliance with resolution 2202 (2015), which endorsed the “Package of measures for the Implementation of the Minsk Agreements,” aimed at ending the violence in eastern regions of Ukraine.

“The members of the Security Council called for an immediate return to a ceasefire regime,” the statement concluded.

Earlier in the day, the humanitarian community and the Humanitarian Coordinator in the country also expressed grave concern by the “drastic deterioration” of the security situation in eastern Ukraine and its humanitarian consequences....

Peace processes begin with meetings and policy. Does anyone realize the length of time and diplomatic effort that has to be spent to bring about a peace process between major global powers? The last time that occurred it was when the United Nations was organized. The first attempt at the UN failed with President Wilson. The followers of the Ultra White can't be this naive.

We are back to "Their Master's Voice." I thought that died with "W."

God speaks in many ways. This time the word genocide seems to matter.

President Abbas needs to do more than call for peace talks, he needs to act to end the genocide.

This is not the only private property Israel has taken. Israel has destroyed innumerable olive groves and cast the people into poverty. There is a great deal of productive and/or private land that belongs to Palestine taken by Israel.

President Abbas needs to stop seeing fault in his people, including Hamas. They did not do this to themselves. When land is under attack does a country not defend it? No one approves of Hamas methods, but, they are still there in Gaza. The Palestine people know what works for them and they are difficult to deal with because surrender for the sake of peace with an ever shrinking homeland is not realistic. Palestine, the country with land, has to exist.

When Israel arrives to destroy more olive groves or move boundaries, it is not only the Palestinians that are demonstrating, there are many Israel citizens there as well. Palestinians are not alone in their desire for a peace and Palestinian homeland; there are many Israeli citizens that want the same thing.

We have lost a beautiful American girl in this struggle. Palestine is not alone.

February 1, 2017
By William Booth and Ruth Eglash

Thousands of Israeli police and military forces (click here) climbed a windy hill on Wednesday with plans to finally demolish a hardscrabble Israeli settlement that the supreme court has deemed illegal because it was built on privately owned Palestinian land.

The demolition of Amona and the eviction of its 40 families has been more than a decade in the making. By the afternoon, Israeli security forces seemed to be heading towards a violent showdown with residents, hundreds of their youthful supporters and right-wing politicians....

Power of the people. These are potential votes. I suggest their issues be known and brought by the Democrats.

You can wager real money on the fact Trump will if no one else will. However, he has gone so wrong within racism and bigotry there is no coming back. If the visit went forward he would be pitting police against Americans and Harley's reputation would be over!

Get on board with this!

Anyone for a Honda?

They have to be fought where it matters and with Plutocrats it is their stock prices and value of their product.

February 1, 2017
By Jason Silverstein

Talk about a vicious cycle. (click here)

The Harley-Davidson factory in Milwaukee has canceled a scheduled visit from President Trump — for fear of planning protests, according to a report.

Trump planned to visit the motorcycle factory on Thursday, and to sign unspecified executive orders there related to American manufacturing. His team made no public announcement about the visit, but White House staffers were already in Milwaukee setting it up.

But an administration official told CNN Tuesday the visit was canceled because the company felt “uncomfortable” about planned protests over Trump’s executive order on travel bans....

Do the Democrats have any sense of necessity to prevent disaster?

I was pleased to see the Democrats in the US Senate are standing up for the country. It is their sworn duty to protect the country and the constitution. I am proud of them.

Then Senator Brown was stating in the news this evening they are not another Mitch McConnell. That's obvious! Is there no conviction to stand up for the country, the people?

The late Senator Robert Byrd is rolling over in his grave right now. Don't give in! He never would!

It was about time Chairwoman Yellen increased interest rates as well. This has been on the Fed's agenda for months if not for the past year.

January 31, 2017
By Gregg Rob

President Donald Trump (click here) seems in pole position to get potentially budget-busting corporate tax cuts and infrastructure spending plans through a pliant Congress.

Fed chief Janet Yellen is not likely to be as flexible.

The Fed is likely to respond to fiscal stimulus that requires borrowing by jacking up interest rates. That seems to be the signal that Yellen, and at least one of the central bank’s other top officials, are sending.

–– ADVERTISEMENT ––

In a way, that sets Yellen up to seen as the most powerful Democrat in opposition to Trump’s agenda, along the lines of Sen. Mitch McConnell to President Barack Obama.

But this is a narrative that Yellen would reject, experts said.

“Yellen would run, not walk” from any suggestion she was the Democrats’ last best hope in Washington, said economist Diane Swonk.

“The Fed is just walking a very fine line, and it is important for the central bank to be seen as nonpolitical,” Swonk said.

Mark Gertler, a professor of economics at New York University who often writes about the U.S. central bank, agreed. Yellen would “very much resist” such a label and “it’s not fair to give it to her.”...

Wall Street is working on a sugar high compliments of Goldman Sachs that won't stay there. Goldman has been waxing and waning over the past weeks since Trump was inaugurated. It is pulling the largest part of the gains since then.IIt won't last because it is artificial. 

Investing.com (click here) - The dollar held weaker on Tuesday with comments on trade from the Trump administration weighing on sentiment and investors looking ahead to the latest Fed views on rates on Wednesday.

The Fed indicated last month that at least three rate increases were in the offing for 2017. However, traders remained unconvinced. Instead, markets are pricing in just two rate hikes during the course of this year, according to Investing.com’s Fed Rate Monitor Tool.

The U.S. dollar index, which measures the greenback’s strength against a trade-weighted basket of six major currencies, fell 0.84% to 99.58. USD/JPY dropped 0.80% yo 112.86 after the Bank of Japan earlier in the day raised its outlook for growth and held policy steady. GBP/USD traded up 0.69% to 1.2572

EUR/USD rose 0.92% to 1.0792.

Earlier, the dollar tumbled against a basket of the other major currencies on Tuesday as the euro surged after President Donald Trump’s top trade adviser accused Germany of currency exploitation. Peter Navarro, the head of Trump’s new National Trade Council, said Germany is using a “grossly undervalued” euro to exploit the U.S. and its trading partners.

German Chancellor Angela Merkel rejected the remarks, saying that Germany cannot influence the value of the euro, and that the country has always called for the European Central Bank to have independent policy....

There was a time when investment was real and produced measurable goods and services. Today there less and less real and far more speculation and bubble  and bust. As soon as President Obama was out of office the games started all over again. When Goldman Sachs stock was the near single reason for $20,000 it told me all I needed to know, "The corruption and gambling are to powerful a drug. 

That is the current administration, all hubris while they march in the Ultra White Christian nation. There is no better distraction than Wall Street gambling.