Donald Trump stated the shutdown can last years. He said that. He would rather shut down the government until November of 2020 than govern. Trump wants to be the utmost obstructionist.
What bank or credit union is going to advance government workers two years of salary without taking payment on the loan?
These government workers have been out for over one month. Any loan that was made in January would require a payment in February. What are the government workers going to do borrow the payment and another month's salary? This is crazy. This is a belligerent Republican Party dug in without caring about the country or the people that work for it.
The previous Congress gave Trump a down payment. He batted it away.
Donald Trump is not going to sign a bill into law to end the shutdown. Congress has to act to bring about an end to the government shutdown.
The US House needs to carry out oversight and vote during breaks from the committees.
Thursday, January 24, 2019
Which state has the best drivers in the country?
Maine has the worst. (click here)
An insurance comparison website has ranked Mainers the absolute worst drivers in the country....
...The annual ranking was released Thursday by Quotewizard.com. The site said it used incident data from the users of its website, as well as Federal Highway Administration fatality data. It looked at accidents, speeding tickets, citations, fatalities and drunk driving incidents....
The best belongs to the state that is home to the motor companies - MICHIGAN!
An insurance comparison website has ranked Mainers the absolute worst drivers in the country....
...The annual ranking was released Thursday by Quotewizard.com. The site said it used incident data from the users of its website, as well as Federal Highway Administration fatality data. It looked at accidents, speeding tickets, citations, fatalities and drunk driving incidents....
The best belongs to the state that is home to the motor companies - MICHIGAN!
Mitch McConnell has to begin to take responsibility for this government shutdown.
When Nancy Pelosi brought a very viable bill to the House floor it passed and she knew it would pass. McConnell, on the other hand, did nothing to propose a Senate bill and only voted on the president's bill which was never going to pass and then brought the US House bill to the floor without knowing what the outcome would be. Well, he doesn't get away with the idea he is not to blame. The blame for McConnell is mounting and he is doing nothing to end this impasse.
Why is McConnell waiting on the sidelines? Because if no bill passes he doesn't have to worry about overriding a veto or taking two separate bills into Reconciliation.
Mitch McConnell is not blameless.
Get the CR done, Mitch!
When Nancy Pelosi brought a very viable bill to the House floor it passed and she knew it would pass. McConnell, on the other hand, did nothing to propose a Senate bill and only voted on the president's bill which was never going to pass and then brought the US House bill to the floor without knowing what the outcome would be. Well, he doesn't get away with the idea he is not to blame. The blame for McConnell is mounting and he is doing nothing to end this impasse.
Why is McConnell waiting on the sidelines? Because if no bill passes he doesn't have to worry about overriding a veto or taking two separate bills into Reconciliation.
Mitch McConnell is not blameless.
Get the CR done, Mitch!
The tentative schedule for 2019 has been announced. The list below identifies expected non-legislative periods (days that the Senate will not be in session). The schedule is also available in calendar format (pdf image). The 2018 tentative schedule is still available.
| Date | Action | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Jan 3 | Convene | |
| Jan 8 | Reconvene | |
| Jan 21 - Jan 25 | State Work Period | Martin Luther King Jr. Holiday- Jan 21 |
| Feb 18 - Feb 22 | State Work Period | Presidents' Day- Feb 18 |
| Mar 18 - Mar 22 | State Work Period | |
| Apr 15 - Apr 26 | State Work Period | |
| May 27 - May 31 | State Work Period | Memorial Day- May 27 |
| Jul 1 - Jul 5 | State Work Period | Independence Day- Jul 4 |
| Aug 5 - Sep 6 | State Work Period | Labor Day- Sep 2 |
| Sep 30 - Oct 14 | State Work Period | Columbus Day- Oct 14 |
| Nov 11 | Veterans Day | |
| Nov 25 - Nov 29 | State Work Period | Thanksgiving- Nov 28 |
| Dec 16 - Dec 31 | State Work |
Clueless with no empathy for those that serve our government.
January 24, 2019
By Damian Paletta
Washington — Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross (click here) on Thursday said he didn’t understand why federal workers were visiting food banks during the government shutdown, saying they should instead seek low-interest loans from banks and credit unions to supplement their lost wages.
“I know they are, and I don’t really quite understand why,” Ross said on CNBC when asked about federal workers going to food banks. Ross is a billionaire and longtime friend of President Donald Trump....
By Damian Paletta
Washington — Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross (click here) on Thursday said he didn’t understand why federal workers were visiting food banks during the government shutdown, saying they should instead seek low-interest loans from banks and credit unions to supplement their lost wages.
“I know they are, and I don’t really quite understand why,” Ross said on CNBC when asked about federal workers going to food banks. Ross is a billionaire and longtime friend of President Donald Trump....
Wednesday, January 23, 2019
What a nightmare for this young Belarus woman.
I congratulate all the authorities involved in resolving this issue and providing her freedom again. I realize that may mean congratulations to Vladimir Putin.
It was correct to release her to go home. She is young and innocent and simply involved in social media that provides her popularity.
I can only imagine being held in Indonesia and then released to travel home only to be traumatized in a Russian airport and find herself again a prisoner of a foreign country. She will need time to absorb all that occurred and realize she is trying to hard to be important to others.
She needs to think about herself and her future. Social media will not guarantee her a future that is achieved through education while she sets herself on a path beneficial to herself and her country. If she wants to be an asset to the world in a real way she will realize what a wonderful thing freedom is and how she can serve her country by being educated.
She put herself in a dangerous situation by being an escort to wealthy men. She needs to think about her well being from this day going forward. I don't think wealthy men should have escorts. I think they should have wives.
But, I wish her well. I understand she is worried about her immediate health. I strongly suggest she see a doctor that can provide a complete physical. Sometimes swelling of any kind is an allergy. She may have been exposed to something she is not usually exposed to and she needs testing for all kinds of things, including any heavy metals or other elements of the air that could cause her harm.
I like her. I think she is spunky. She needs a better path forward. Be well. Everyone. Everyone involved should be well and setting themselves on a path of promise to the future. We all have an Earth to worry about.
22 January 2019
...Russian authorities (click here) said she remains a suspect in an unrelated criminal case, the Tass news agency reported.
On Saturday, a Moscow court ruling had extended her detention for allegedly forcing women into prostitution.
According to Russian news agency Interfax, investigators asked the court for her release on Tuesday.
Her lawyer, Dmitry Zatsarinsky, posted a video on Instagram, showing them both in a car after her release.
"Nastya Rybka is free," Mr Zatsarinsky said in the video. "We're going home."
Ms Rybka became famous after posting a video of Russian billionaire industrialist Oleg Deripaska with Russia's deputy prime minister, Sergey Prikhodko, on a yacht in 2016.
She was one of 10 people arrested in Thailand last February for organising a "sex training seminar"....
It was correct to release her to go home. She is young and innocent and simply involved in social media that provides her popularity.
I can only imagine being held in Indonesia and then released to travel home only to be traumatized in a Russian airport and find herself again a prisoner of a foreign country. She will need time to absorb all that occurred and realize she is trying to hard to be important to others.
She needs to think about herself and her future. Social media will not guarantee her a future that is achieved through education while she sets herself on a path beneficial to herself and her country. If she wants to be an asset to the world in a real way she will realize what a wonderful thing freedom is and how she can serve her country by being educated.
She put herself in a dangerous situation by being an escort to wealthy men. She needs to think about her well being from this day going forward. I don't think wealthy men should have escorts. I think they should have wives.
But, I wish her well. I understand she is worried about her immediate health. I strongly suggest she see a doctor that can provide a complete physical. Sometimes swelling of any kind is an allergy. She may have been exposed to something she is not usually exposed to and she needs testing for all kinds of things, including any heavy metals or other elements of the air that could cause her harm.
I like her. I think she is spunky. She needs a better path forward. Be well. Everyone. Everyone involved should be well and setting themselves on a path of promise to the future. We all have an Earth to worry about.
22 January 2019
...Russian authorities (click here) said she remains a suspect in an unrelated criminal case, the Tass news agency reported.
On Saturday, a Moscow court ruling had extended her detention for allegedly forcing women into prostitution.
According to Russian news agency Interfax, investigators asked the court for her release on Tuesday.
Her lawyer, Dmitry Zatsarinsky, posted a video on Instagram, showing them both in a car after her release.
"Nastya Rybka is free," Mr Zatsarinsky said in the video. "We're going home."
Ms Rybka became famous after posting a video of Russian billionaire industrialist Oleg Deripaska with Russia's deputy prime minister, Sergey Prikhodko, on a yacht in 2016.
She was one of 10 people arrested in Thailand last February for organising a "sex training seminar"....
I applaud Speaker Pelosi in regard to the State of the Union address.
It is simply wrong to continue to carry out business as usual when there is so much wrong. All those people that make the orderly State of the Union possible are not receiving their paychecks. Their personal lives are in disarray and the man causing the disruption in their lives wants to have his priorities undisturbed.
I sincerely believe Speaker Pelosi is a champion for the people. I have never seen her so committed to protect the legislative capacity of the US House. She wants employees for the federal government back to work. It is unthinkable that President Trump is not so disturbed by the disruptions with the US Coast Guard and the FBI that he simply has to consider a different time and method to demand $5.7 billion for his political wall at the southern border.
The President of the USA is supposed to protect the country and it's people and no matter where one looks, it is not happening. The president is derelict.
The US House's recent proposal was to provide $5.7 billion for a smart wall at the southern border. Trump says no.
I am confident Speaker Pelosi will continue to seek ways of bringing federal employees back to work. In all honesty, I believe the Congress has to do it without the president. It just is unrealistic to believe this can continue much longer and secure the country and the president is uninterested in the US House's proposals.
The US House Leadership needs to present their proposal of the $5.7 billion to the people so there is no misunderstanding as to the viable solution they have drawn up and why it is a good solution.
I sincerely believe Speaker Pelosi is a champion for the people. I have never seen her so committed to protect the legislative capacity of the US House. She wants employees for the federal government back to work. It is unthinkable that President Trump is not so disturbed by the disruptions with the US Coast Guard and the FBI that he simply has to consider a different time and method to demand $5.7 billion for his political wall at the southern border.
The President of the USA is supposed to protect the country and it's people and no matter where one looks, it is not happening. The president is derelict.
The US House's recent proposal was to provide $5.7 billion for a smart wall at the southern border. Trump says no.
I am confident Speaker Pelosi will continue to seek ways of bringing federal employees back to work. In all honesty, I believe the Congress has to do it without the president. It just is unrealistic to believe this can continue much longer and secure the country and the president is uninterested in the US House's proposals.
The US House Leadership needs to present their proposal of the $5.7 billion to the people so there is no misunderstanding as to the viable solution they have drawn up and why it is a good solution.
More gun violence in Florida.
January 23, 2019
By Amy B. Wang
Sebring – A gunman (click here) who opened fire inside a Florida bank Wednesday afternoon killed five people before surrendering to SWAT negotiators, police said.
Zephen Xaver, 21, was arrested after the shooting at a SunTrust branch, Sebring police Chief Karl Hoglund said at a news conference....
By Amy B. Wang
Sebring – A gunman (click here) who opened fire inside a Florida bank Wednesday afternoon killed five people before surrendering to SWAT negotiators, police said.
Zephen Xaver, 21, was arrested after the shooting at a SunTrust branch, Sebring police Chief Karl Hoglund said at a news conference....
I read a report stating Mr. Cohen is postponing his testimony to Congress because of threats to him and his family by Mr. Guiliani and Mr. Trump. Yes, the president Trump.
Treats are illegal and if there are threats it only goes to prove the Trump White House is not an honorable institution.
Congress needs to subpoena Mr. Cohen. Mr. Cohen needs to report all threats regardless of source to the police and if the complaints are worthy, there will be prosecutions. That is the way the law works and no one is exempt.
If Mr. Cohen runs into resistance to file a complaint about threats against him or his family, he should report it to Congress along with whatever testimony exists. Congress can ask the FBI to investigate.
This is a pattern that is emerging. Stephanie Clifford had the same experience.
To be clear:
The US Congress, the elected legislative body, is asking for testimony from an American. The Dictator and Chief and his minion are threatening this American family. That is illegal. No one wants to place the Cohen Family in peril. No president, no Republican hack has the right to intimidate the USA government. It is important Michael Cohen testifies. His country wants answers. The Cohen Family is not to be sacrificed because of American justice through criminal acts. The Cohen Family is important. They are not sacrificial lambs. They need to be secure in their lives. If the USA Congress can't receive testimony it cannot govern. I am glad the Cohen Family has come forward about their fears. The governing authority of the people of the USA has to be satisfied. This is outrageous that an American family cannot provide information to the US Congress without fear. This cannot stand.
Treats are illegal and if there are threats it only goes to prove the Trump White House is not an honorable institution.
Congress needs to subpoena Mr. Cohen. Mr. Cohen needs to report all threats regardless of source to the police and if the complaints are worthy, there will be prosecutions. That is the way the law works and no one is exempt.
If Mr. Cohen runs into resistance to file a complaint about threats against him or his family, he should report it to Congress along with whatever testimony exists. Congress can ask the FBI to investigate.
This is a pattern that is emerging. Stephanie Clifford had the same experience.
To be clear:
The US Congress, the elected legislative body, is asking for testimony from an American. The Dictator and Chief and his minion are threatening this American family. That is illegal. No one wants to place the Cohen Family in peril. No president, no Republican hack has the right to intimidate the USA government. It is important Michael Cohen testifies. His country wants answers. The Cohen Family is not to be sacrificed because of American justice through criminal acts. The Cohen Family is important. They are not sacrificial lambs. They need to be secure in their lives. If the USA Congress can't receive testimony it cannot govern. I am glad the Cohen Family has come forward about their fears. The governing authority of the people of the USA has to be satisfied. This is outrageous that an American family cannot provide information to the US Congress without fear. This cannot stand.
Anderson Cooper is correct.
January 21, 2019
By Tamar Auber
On Monday night, (click here) CNN’s Anderson Cooper slammed President Donald Trump‘s lawyer for his attempt to mop up his Sunday Trump Tower Moscow mess by claiming what he said was “hypothetical.”...
If I may?
The USA press and probably the international press as well is disrespected by the Trump White House. They have even suspended daily meetings with Sanders for petty reasons.
This mess with Guiliani only proves all the more that the Trump White House and it's minions are manipulating the public dialogue. The lies by Guiliani are many. This is just one more.
The USA media is a dynamic entity in the country and the USA has every reason to be proud of it. It is the fourth arm of government and it is a very valuable place for citizens. Citizens, regardless of what side of the aisle one finds themselves, need the media for information, daily weather for that matter, what is occurring with their city and state and especially in times of danger as we have today, what is occurring with the federal government.
The media in the USA is powerful. Rightfully, so. The people should have a place where power takes up their freedom of speech or conveys a story or is simply a place where public education occurs. I don't abide by the idea infotainment is legitimate media, either.
Rudy Guiliani has made statements now that he was speaking in hypotheticals. Really? He sat on a nationally televised news program and spoke openly about the truth of what was occurring with Trump and Russia during the campaign. I didn't have to hear it from Guiliani, I was waiting for the Special Council to conclude the investigation. But, evidently the DOJ is going to hide the Special Council's report from the public and it will not be known for some time. So, with that Guiliani comes forward to speak. Is he the only minion of Trump that the American public will hear a reporting of the relationship between Trump Company, the president and Russia? Well, today Guiliani has proven himself untrustworthy and his appearances should be limited to FOX News where nothing is the truth unless it suits their purpose.
I would be very insulted if a politician came before my audience and openly manipulated the words he or she spoke. The power of the media lies in the truth. People, regardless of their notoriety, need to speak the truth and where that is abandoned there is no reason to validate it by providing them a voice. Sensationalism is best left for real entertainment.
By Tamar Auber
On Monday night, (click here) CNN’s Anderson Cooper slammed President Donald Trump‘s lawyer for his attempt to mop up his Sunday Trump Tower Moscow mess by claiming what he said was “hypothetical.”...
If I may?
The USA press and probably the international press as well is disrespected by the Trump White House. They have even suspended daily meetings with Sanders for petty reasons.
This mess with Guiliani only proves all the more that the Trump White House and it's minions are manipulating the public dialogue. The lies by Guiliani are many. This is just one more.
The USA media is a dynamic entity in the country and the USA has every reason to be proud of it. It is the fourth arm of government and it is a very valuable place for citizens. Citizens, regardless of what side of the aisle one finds themselves, need the media for information, daily weather for that matter, what is occurring with their city and state and especially in times of danger as we have today, what is occurring with the federal government.
The media in the USA is powerful. Rightfully, so. The people should have a place where power takes up their freedom of speech or conveys a story or is simply a place where public education occurs. I don't abide by the idea infotainment is legitimate media, either.
Rudy Guiliani has made statements now that he was speaking in hypotheticals. Really? He sat on a nationally televised news program and spoke openly about the truth of what was occurring with Trump and Russia during the campaign. I didn't have to hear it from Guiliani, I was waiting for the Special Council to conclude the investigation. But, evidently the DOJ is going to hide the Special Council's report from the public and it will not be known for some time. So, with that Guiliani comes forward to speak. Is he the only minion of Trump that the American public will hear a reporting of the relationship between Trump Company, the president and Russia? Well, today Guiliani has proven himself untrustworthy and his appearances should be limited to FOX News where nothing is the truth unless it suits their purpose.
I would be very insulted if a politician came before my audience and openly manipulated the words he or she spoke. The power of the media lies in the truth. People, regardless of their notoriety, need to speak the truth and where that is abandoned there is no reason to validate it by providing them a voice. Sensationalism is best left for real entertainment.
It is confrontational. The National Mall is a place where citizens come to carry a message.
By being confrontational these young people hoped some sort of emotional outbreak would happen. I don't know why Nathan Phillips (click here) would want to meet with the teenagers, but, he willing to do so.
The teenagers have a profound tilt into insulting behavior. They need to work on that to prevent unnecessary confrontation in the real adult world.
Perhaps Mr. Phillips can educate the teenagers at Covington Catholic about the Native American culture they confronted on the National Mall. That wasn't noise, the performance by Mr. Phillips conveys a message.
Just as a side note, Senator Elizabeth Warren is running for President of the USA in the race in 2020. Native Americans should expect this type of confrontation on a regular basis. Also to note, after Senator Kamala Harris announced her candidacy, Trump and Pence show up at the Martin Luther King Memorial. I think Trump sees it necessary to campaign against all those running for President in 2020. Expect that mess, too.
I think the Democrats are an incredibly dynamic party and their nominees so far are incredible people with strong moral content to their campaign.
The teenagers have a profound tilt into insulting behavior. They need to work on that to prevent unnecessary confrontation in the real adult world.
Perhaps Mr. Phillips can educate the teenagers at Covington Catholic about the Native American culture they confronted on the National Mall. That wasn't noise, the performance by Mr. Phillips conveys a message.
Just as a side note, Senator Elizabeth Warren is running for President of the USA in the race in 2020. Native Americans should expect this type of confrontation on a regular basis. Also to note, after Senator Kamala Harris announced her candidacy, Trump and Pence show up at the Martin Luther King Memorial. I think Trump sees it necessary to campaign against all those running for President in 2020. Expect that mess, too.
I think the Democrats are an incredibly dynamic party and their nominees so far are incredible people with strong moral content to their campaign.
Tuesday, January 22, 2019
Yes, Americans carry their democracy and it's protection on their backs.
Either you love your country or you don't. But, the Plutocratic Dreamscape is dangerous for democracy.
January 16, 2019
By Mary Clare Jalonick
Washington — Almost a dozen Senate Republicans (click here) broke with the White House Tuesday on Russia, voting to move forward on a resolution that would maintain sanctions on companies linked to oligarch Oleg Deripaska....
The legislators that stood up for the US Constitution need to sue the White House for violating the Constitution and allowing the US Treasury Secretary dissolve sanction legislated into law.
There is no legitimate reason for lifting any sanctions on Russia, it is corruption in the White House.
Latvia. Little Latvia is standing strong on Russian sanctions and Trump can't even do the same.
January 22, 2019
Latvia (click here) will continue to maintain the sanctions against Russia until Russia begins to observe principles of international law, according to the would-be government's declaration, informed LETA.
The declaration says that Latvia will continue to protect the interests of Latvia and its citizens during the Brexit process. Latvia wants the relations between the European Union and Great Britain to remain close and constructive in both economics and security and defense areas, says the document.
It also says that, during the talks on the EU budget for 2021-2027, Latvia will support allocating funds for new priorities and pursue its individual interests regarding the budget. These include opposing reductions in the Cohesion Fund's allocations and the Common Agriculture Policy's financing, as well as ensuring funding for science and research, and regional energy independence.
The government declaration states that Latvia will continue to be an active member of international organizations, in particular the EU, NATO, and OECD, and maintain its Western values and ties. The government will also work to contribute to improving the EU's foreign and security policy in order to make the EU stronger....
Russia is a menace and right now Russia believes it is able to do anything it wants. That is not the place where democracy and freedom lives. The people of Europe understand the cruelty that exists in Russia and they are strong. Americans have to be as strong and resolute to end the corruption brought by Trump.
January 16, 2019
By Mary Clare Jalonick
Washington — Almost a dozen Senate Republicans (click here) broke with the White House Tuesday on Russia, voting to move forward on a resolution that would maintain sanctions on companies linked to oligarch Oleg Deripaska....
The legislators that stood up for the US Constitution need to sue the White House for violating the Constitution and allowing the US Treasury Secretary dissolve sanction legislated into law.
There is no legitimate reason for lifting any sanctions on Russia, it is corruption in the White House.
January 22, 2019
Latvia (click here) will continue to maintain the sanctions against Russia until Russia begins to observe principles of international law, according to the would-be government's declaration, informed LETA.
The declaration says that Latvia will continue to protect the interests of Latvia and its citizens during the Brexit process. Latvia wants the relations between the European Union and Great Britain to remain close and constructive in both economics and security and defense areas, says the document.
It also says that, during the talks on the EU budget for 2021-2027, Latvia will support allocating funds for new priorities and pursue its individual interests regarding the budget. These include opposing reductions in the Cohesion Fund's allocations and the Common Agriculture Policy's financing, as well as ensuring funding for science and research, and regional energy independence.
The government declaration states that Latvia will continue to be an active member of international organizations, in particular the EU, NATO, and OECD, and maintain its Western values and ties. The government will also work to contribute to improving the EU's foreign and security policy in order to make the EU stronger....
Russia is a menace and right now Russia believes it is able to do anything it wants. That is not the place where democracy and freedom lives. The people of Europe understand the cruelty that exists in Russia and they are strong. Americans have to be as strong and resolute to end the corruption brought by Trump.
Why do Russian billionaires exist?
Russian billionaires, known as oligarchs, exist to infiltrate Western institutions. Does everyone realize MIT was carrying out Star Wars interceptor missile tests and now Russia has it's own interceptors?
Russian oligarchs/billionaires bring money they call investments/donations, but, what they really want is espionage.
Russia has a lot of oil and it uses it to create dependency through sales AND the money then goes to it's favorite task of infiltrating, spying and ultimately dismantling The West. Trump's win for the presidency was a real victory to them. And Trump thinks there is money at the end of the Russian rainbow.
January 15, 2019
By Owen Daugherty
The Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) (click here) quietly removed a Russian-billionaire from its Board of Trustees last year after the Treasury Department sanctioned him for advancing Russia’s "malign activities," according to a report on Tuesday.
Radio Free Europe and Radio Liberty reports that Viktor Vekselberg was taken off of MIT’s board.
"In April 2018, as a result of [the Treasury Department] adding Mr. Vekselberg to its specially designated nationals list, MIT reviewed its legal obligations and suspended Mr. Vekselberg's Corporation membership,” an MIT spokeswoman, Kimberly Allen, told the news outlet in an email....
The value of the Russian Ruble is 0.015 USA dollar. Not much of a rainbow when you really think about it. One has to remove all laws against money laundering in order to make the Russia Ruble worth anything. I suppose altering the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act might help, right Donald?
14 January 2019
By Hasan Chowdhury
Russia is preparing an investment in Bitcoin (click here) to replace the US dollar as a reserve currency in a bid to tackle US sanctions, according to a Russian economist with close ties to the Kremlin.
Vladislav Ginko, an economist at the Russian Presidential Academy of National Economy and Public Administration, a state-funded institution, said the government is taking steps to minimise the impact of US sanctions that have hit the Russian rouble by replacing some of its US dollar reserves with the world’s most popular cryptocurrency.
US sanctions on Russia over the past year have come after the poisoning of former Russian military officer Sergei Skripal. Mr Ginko believes Russia’s de-dollarisation decision is fundamentally a move to “protect its national interests” due to a possible interruption of “US nominated payments flows for Russian oil and gas” and claims investment could be as much as $10bn (£7.8bn).
Cryptocurrencies have seen a surge of interest in Russia, with President Vladimir Putin expressing interest in the digital assets in recent months. Mr Ginko believes Bitcoin and the wider cryptocurrency industry now account for 8pc of Russia’s GDP, and investment to bolster the country’s reserves with Bitcoin could start as soon as February....
Russian oligarchs/billionaires bring money they call investments/donations, but, what they really want is espionage.
Russia has a lot of oil and it uses it to create dependency through sales AND the money then goes to it's favorite task of infiltrating, spying and ultimately dismantling The West. Trump's win for the presidency was a real victory to them. And Trump thinks there is money at the end of the Russian rainbow.January 15, 2019
By Owen Daugherty
The Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) (click here) quietly removed a Russian-billionaire from its Board of Trustees last year after the Treasury Department sanctioned him for advancing Russia’s "malign activities," according to a report on Tuesday.
Radio Free Europe and Radio Liberty reports that Viktor Vekselberg was taken off of MIT’s board.
"In April 2018, as a result of [the Treasury Department] adding Mr. Vekselberg to its specially designated nationals list, MIT reviewed its legal obligations and suspended Mr. Vekselberg's Corporation membership,” an MIT spokeswoman, Kimberly Allen, told the news outlet in an email....
The value of the Russian Ruble is 0.015 USA dollar. Not much of a rainbow when you really think about it. One has to remove all laws against money laundering in order to make the Russia Ruble worth anything. I suppose altering the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act might help, right Donald?
14 January 2019
By Hasan Chowdhury
Russia is preparing an investment in Bitcoin (click here) to replace the US dollar as a reserve currency in a bid to tackle US sanctions, according to a Russian economist with close ties to the Kremlin.
Vladislav Ginko, an economist at the Russian Presidential Academy of National Economy and Public Administration, a state-funded institution, said the government is taking steps to minimise the impact of US sanctions that have hit the Russian rouble by replacing some of its US dollar reserves with the world’s most popular cryptocurrency.
US sanctions on Russia over the past year have come after the poisoning of former Russian military officer Sergei Skripal. Mr Ginko believes Russia’s de-dollarisation decision is fundamentally a move to “protect its national interests” due to a possible interruption of “US nominated payments flows for Russian oil and gas” and claims investment could be as much as $10bn (£7.8bn).
Cryptocurrencies have seen a surge of interest in Russia, with President Vladimir Putin expressing interest in the digital assets in recent months. Mr Ginko believes Bitcoin and the wider cryptocurrency industry now account for 8pc of Russia’s GDP, and investment to bolster the country’s reserves with Bitcoin could start as soon as February....
Trump is a treasonist and a traitor. It is time he leaves.
It is all collusion. Every bit of it. Trump is deliberately allowing the USA to fall into peril while he is allowing Russia to have whatever it wants to carry out aggressions internationally. Donald Trump is colluding with Russia to weaken the democracies of The West for his own purposes.
There is a direct link between the campaign, but, also the man currently running the Trump Company. The Trump Company will benefit from sanction relief. Any relief from sanctions by the Trump White House is in collusion with Russia for the benefit of his own company which he still produces "The Apprentice."
Now, while the country is suffering and the LEGAL and LAW ENFORCEMENT infrastructure of the country is being assaulted by it's own president, Americans need to realize whom they are dealing with. Donald Trump has demanded American taxpayer money for a USA southern border wall that will never serve the purpose of National Security. This is more of the same corruption that his campaign carried out before.
Democratic leadership can come forward to pass the stupid McConnell bill in the US Senate and spend monies foolishly or the American people can get tough and demand the resignation and/or removal of Trump from the White House. Americans do not like impeachment, but, if they don't stiffen their backbone the nightmare isn't going to end. If the Democratic leadership agrees to Trump as a dictator that does not care about the country he will simply move the goal posts again.
Donald Trump hates the USA government and he is seeking to end it for his own reasons. The American people have to stop the deterioration and stand up for their country against this maniacal idiot that doesn't care about this country.
If the FBI needs tires for their cars, they need to ask for donations. I am sure any munitions can be donated as well.
Oh, by the way. Press briefings at the White House has ended because Trump doesn't like the way the press talks to Sanders and her feelings get hurt.
November 6, 2017
By Eli Watkins
Washington - The Russian lawyer (click here) who met last year with senior members of the Trump campaign said Donald Trump Jr. told her at the meeting that a Trump administration would be willing to review a 2012 sanctions law.
Natalia Veselnitskaya, the lawyer who attended the meeting, made her comments from Moscow in an interview with Bloomberg published Monday.
She said Trump Jr. told her: "Looking ahead, if we come to power, we can return to this issue and think what to do about it."
Veselnitskaya said he added, "I understand our side may have messed up, but it'll take a long time to get to the bottom of it."
CNN has reached out to Trump Jr.'s attorney for a response....
There is a direct link between the campaign, but, also the man currently running the Trump Company. The Trump Company will benefit from sanction relief. Any relief from sanctions by the Trump White House is in collusion with Russia for the benefit of his own company which he still produces "The Apprentice."
Now, while the country is suffering and the LEGAL and LAW ENFORCEMENT infrastructure of the country is being assaulted by it's own president, Americans need to realize whom they are dealing with. Donald Trump has demanded American taxpayer money for a USA southern border wall that will never serve the purpose of National Security. This is more of the same corruption that his campaign carried out before.
Democratic leadership can come forward to pass the stupid McConnell bill in the US Senate and spend monies foolishly or the American people can get tough and demand the resignation and/or removal of Trump from the White House. Americans do not like impeachment, but, if they don't stiffen their backbone the nightmare isn't going to end. If the Democratic leadership agrees to Trump as a dictator that does not care about the country he will simply move the goal posts again.
Donald Trump hates the USA government and he is seeking to end it for his own reasons. The American people have to stop the deterioration and stand up for their country against this maniacal idiot that doesn't care about this country.
If the FBI needs tires for their cars, they need to ask for donations. I am sure any munitions can be donated as well.
Oh, by the way. Press briefings at the White House has ended because Trump doesn't like the way the press talks to Sanders and her feelings get hurt.
November 6, 2017
By Eli Watkins
Washington - The Russian lawyer (click here) who met last year with senior members of the Trump campaign said Donald Trump Jr. told her at the meeting that a Trump administration would be willing to review a 2012 sanctions law.
Natalia Veselnitskaya, the lawyer who attended the meeting, made her comments from Moscow in an interview with Bloomberg published Monday.
She said Trump Jr. told her: "Looking ahead, if we come to power, we can return to this issue and think what to do about it."
Veselnitskaya said he added, "I understand our side may have messed up, but it'll take a long time to get to the bottom of it."
CNN has reached out to Trump Jr.'s attorney for a response....
The US Navy Sending Destroyers to The Black Sea to Send Russia a Message (click here for article regarding USA presence regardless of Trump's spinelessness regarding Russia)
Through NATO, the USA Navy has been hard at work to provide an important presence to protect Europe.
January 8, 2019
A U.S. naval warship has arrived at a Romanian port, a show of force by the United States in the Black Sea, which Russia is closely watching.
The USS Fort McHenry is the first U.S. ship to enter the Black Sea since a naval standoff between Russian and Ukrainian forces near the annexed Crimea Peninsula in November.
Romanian and U.S. officials say the dock-landing ship arrived at the port of Constanta on January 7 and will remain there until January 10.
It will then hold joint sea maneuvers with a Romanian frigate in territorial and international waters.
It wasn't immediately clear how many U.S. military personnel were involved.
A U.S. Navy spokesperson told the TASS news agency that the warship was in the Black Sea in accordance with the international Montreux Convention, which governs naval access to this body of water....
January 8, 2019
A U.S. naval warship has arrived at a Romanian port, a show of force by the United States in the Black Sea, which Russia is closely watching.
The USS Fort McHenry is the first U.S. ship to enter the Black Sea since a naval standoff between Russian and Ukrainian forces near the annexed Crimea Peninsula in November.
Romanian and U.S. officials say the dock-landing ship arrived at the port of Constanta on January 7 and will remain there until January 10.
It will then hold joint sea maneuvers with a Romanian frigate in territorial and international waters.
It wasn't immediately clear how many U.S. military personnel were involved.
A U.S. Navy spokesperson told the TASS news agency that the warship was in the Black Sea in accordance with the international Montreux Convention, which governs naval access to this body of water....
During a news conference in July in Helsinki, Trump said he believed Putin’s denials of Russian interference in the 2016 presidential election. His comments — with Putin at his side — generated a sharp backlash from Trump’s aides and congressional allies.
Those tensions flared again this month after The Washington Post and others reported that Trump attempted to hide notes from one of his meetings with Putin in 2017 from his own advisers.
Since then, the president has largely stopped expressing public confidence in Putin. Yet Trump has continued to downplay Russia’s election interference, even as the investigation led by special counsel Robert Mueller has repeatedly showed how extensive it was.
In October, the Justice Department brought its first charges against Russia for interfering in the 2018 midterm elections, releasing a joint statement from several of Trump’s top Cabinet officials decrying the attempts. Trump, however, was mostly silent on the indictment, and instead sought to paint himself as a protector of elections while also blaming the Obama administration for keeping quiet about election meddling during the 2016 presidential campaign.
Those tensions flared again this month after The Washington Post and others reported that Trump attempted to hide notes from one of his meetings with Putin in 2017 from his own advisers.
Since then, the president has largely stopped expressing public confidence in Putin. Yet Trump has continued to downplay Russia’s election interference, even as the investigation led by special counsel Robert Mueller has repeatedly showed how extensive it was.
In October, the Justice Department brought its first charges against Russia for interfering in the 2018 midterm elections, releasing a joint statement from several of Trump’s top Cabinet officials decrying the attempts. Trump, however, was mostly silent on the indictment, and instead sought to paint himself as a protector of elections while also blaming the Obama administration for keeping quiet about election meddling during the 2016 presidential campaign.
Trump is not performing his tasks as president. He making excuses to prevent measures LEGISLATED against Russia from taking effect.
In July, Secretary of State Mike Pompeo overstated the Trump administration’s push for the Countering America’s Adversaries Through Sanctions Act, which the president signed into law in 2017 after it passed the Senate with a veto-proof majority. Trump approved it only hesitantly, first attempting to weaken it and criticizing it as “seriously flawed.”
In case no one "get's it," that is treason. It is unconstitutional. The president is required to carry out legislation of the US Congress.
In case no one "get's it," that is treason. It is unconstitutional. The president is required to carry out legislation of the US Congress.
When Russian forces took 24 Ukrainian sailors captive late last year, senior officials in the Trump administration gave the president options for responding. They included new sanctions or increasing NATO’s naval presence in the Black Sea. But Trump has not yet taken action, even as administration officials insist options are still being considered and as Europe coordinates a response.
In November, responding to the standoff, Trump canceled a meeting in Argentina with President Vladimir Putin of Russia at a forum of the Group of 20 industrialized economies. At a dinner on the sidelines of the meeting, however, Trump told Putin that a resolution was needed. Yet he has sought to blame both sides in the conflict, saying merely that he did not “like what is happening.” Russia has extended the detention of the sailors and demanded a trial on charges of border violations.
Privately, Trump was irritated by his administration’s response to the 2018 poisoning of a former Russian spy living in England that the British authorities have said was carried out by Russian agents. He was initially upset that 60 Russian diplomats and intelligence officers were expelled from the United States in response to the attack, given that European nations were not expelling the same number.
Later, Trump opted against new sanctions against Russia for its support of President Bashar Assad of Syria after a chemical attack near Damascus that killed more than 40 people. Trump believed the sanctions, which had been announced by Nikki Haley, then the U.N. ambassador, were unnecessary in light of a missile strike against Syrian targets. And when the Trump administration began imposing a series of sanctions against Russian individuals and organizations in retaliation for cyberattacks and interference in the 2016 election, the president appeared out of line with his own Cabinet.
While Nikki Haley was attempting to achieve sanctions against Russia at the United Nations, Trump bombed Syria to negate the initiative his UN Ambassador was carrying out.
I don't care what anyone says, this treason of the highest level. A president of the USA does not decide to make excuses to remove sanctions against an enemy of the USA, namely Russia, with American military assets.
7 April 2017
By Everett Rosenfeld
The U.S. military (click here) attacked a Syria-government airfield with 59 Tomahawk missiles on Thursday evening.
The missiles targeted the Shayrat air base near Homs, and were in response to a Tuesday chemical weapons attack. Officially announcing the strike, President Donald Trump said the targeted airfield had launched the chemical attack on a rebel-held area, and he called on other nations to oppose Syria's embattled leader.
"On Tuesday, Syrian dictator Bashar al-Assad launched a horrible chemical weapons attack on innocent civilians. Using a deadly nerve agent, Assad choked out the lives of helpless men, women and children. It was a slow and brutal death for so many. Even beautiful babies were cruelly murdered in this very barbaric attack," Trump said Thursday night.
A U.S. defense official called the U.S. strike a "one-off," Reuters reported. Nine civilians including four children were killed, the Syrian state news agency claimed, but the Pentagon said civilians were not targeted....
In November, responding to the standoff, Trump canceled a meeting in Argentina with President Vladimir Putin of Russia at a forum of the Group of 20 industrialized economies. At a dinner on the sidelines of the meeting, however, Trump told Putin that a resolution was needed. Yet he has sought to blame both sides in the conflict, saying merely that he did not “like what is happening.” Russia has extended the detention of the sailors and demanded a trial on charges of border violations.
Privately, Trump was irritated by his administration’s response to the 2018 poisoning of a former Russian spy living in England that the British authorities have said was carried out by Russian agents. He was initially upset that 60 Russian diplomats and intelligence officers were expelled from the United States in response to the attack, given that European nations were not expelling the same number.
Later, Trump opted against new sanctions against Russia for its support of President Bashar Assad of Syria after a chemical attack near Damascus that killed more than 40 people. Trump believed the sanctions, which had been announced by Nikki Haley, then the U.N. ambassador, were unnecessary in light of a missile strike against Syrian targets. And when the Trump administration began imposing a series of sanctions against Russian individuals and organizations in retaliation for cyberattacks and interference in the 2016 election, the president appeared out of line with his own Cabinet.
While Nikki Haley was attempting to achieve sanctions against Russia at the United Nations, Trump bombed Syria to negate the initiative his UN Ambassador was carrying out.
I don't care what anyone says, this treason of the highest level. A president of the USA does not decide to make excuses to remove sanctions against an enemy of the USA, namely Russia, with American military assets.
7 April 2017
By Everett Rosenfeld
The U.S. military (click here) attacked a Syria-government airfield with 59 Tomahawk missiles on Thursday evening.
The missiles targeted the Shayrat air base near Homs, and were in response to a Tuesday chemical weapons attack. Officially announcing the strike, President Donald Trump said the targeted airfield had launched the chemical attack on a rebel-held area, and he called on other nations to oppose Syria's embattled leader.
"On Tuesday, Syrian dictator Bashar al-Assad launched a horrible chemical weapons attack on innocent civilians. Using a deadly nerve agent, Assad choked out the lives of helpless men, women and children. It was a slow and brutal death for so many. Even beautiful babies were cruelly murdered in this very barbaric attack," Trump said Thursday night.
A U.S. defense official called the U.S. strike a "one-off," Reuters reported. Nine civilians including four children were killed, the Syrian state news agency claimed, but the Pentagon said civilians were not targeted....
Russian is taking Western citizens hostage with USB. Please don't travel to Russia.
If in Russia. Leave. Look, with the TSA issues becoming a crisis, travelers need to rethink their length of stay and whether or not the travel should occur at all until the Trump crisis ends.
Russia is attempting to carry out retribution for sanctions by The West. Trump is no help. He is illegally lifting sanctions against Russia. I do not believe the Secretary of the Treasury has the right to override legislation. But, that has yet to be decided by the Supreme Court. Additionally, there is more and more leniency in the world for Russia. Ukraine is known, but, Trump is pulling back from any restrictions on Russia's ambitions.
The bottom line is that citizens of The West need to stop being optimistic about communist countries, that means Russia and there needs to be a healthy skepticism about China with growing tensions over the AI technology. It is time to be cautious internationally about travel. The Free World should be celebrated by their citizens and travel where it is known to be welcoming and safe. Basically, Americans need to travel to Canada and Europe and American territories.
The world is becoming too dangerous to be generous about TRUSTING countries that do not deserve to be trusted.
The kidnapping of a Belarus citizen from a Russian airport is still more of the same terror regime of Putin.
January 23, 2019
By Alex Luhn
Investigators (click here) have accused a British citizen held on espionage charges in Russia of receiving a USB stick that contained state secrets, his lawyer has said.
Paul Whelan, 48, believed the USB stick had photographs and other information about a church he had visited, lawyer Vladimir Zherebenkov said. FSB security agents swooped in and seized him before he could see what was on the flash drive, he added.
Russian media previously claimed he was grabbed at the Metropole Hotel near the Kremlin while receiving a USB stick with a list of employees of a state agency, the Daily Telegraph reports.
In the first public appearance since he was detained on December 28, Moscow city court refused an appeal to grant bail to Whelan, leaving him pre-trial confinement in Lefortovo jail until at least the end of February. He faces 10 to 20 years in prison....
Russia is attempting to carry out retribution for sanctions by The West. Trump is no help. He is illegally lifting sanctions against Russia. I do not believe the Secretary of the Treasury has the right to override legislation. But, that has yet to be decided by the Supreme Court. Additionally, there is more and more leniency in the world for Russia. Ukraine is known, but, Trump is pulling back from any restrictions on Russia's ambitions.
The bottom line is that citizens of The West need to stop being optimistic about communist countries, that means Russia and there needs to be a healthy skepticism about China with growing tensions over the AI technology. It is time to be cautious internationally about travel. The Free World should be celebrated by their citizens and travel where it is known to be welcoming and safe. Basically, Americans need to travel to Canada and Europe and American territories.
The world is becoming too dangerous to be generous about TRUSTING countries that do not deserve to be trusted.
The kidnapping of a Belarus citizen from a Russian airport is still more of the same terror regime of Putin.
January 23, 2019
By Alex Luhn
Investigators (click here) have accused a British citizen held on espionage charges in Russia of receiving a USB stick that contained state secrets, his lawyer has said.
Paul Whelan, 48, believed the USB stick had photographs and other information about a church he had visited, lawyer Vladimir Zherebenkov said. FSB security agents swooped in and seized him before he could see what was on the flash drive, he added.
Russian media previously claimed he was grabbed at the Metropole Hotel near the Kremlin while receiving a USB stick with a list of employees of a state agency, the Daily Telegraph reports.
In the first public appearance since he was detained on December 28, Moscow city court refused an appeal to grant bail to Whelan, leaving him pre-trial confinement in Lefortovo jail until at least the end of February. He faces 10 to 20 years in prison....
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