If his lawyers are pressing Mueller for his testimony now, because, it will provide Trump the control he wants. Right now, Trump can't control the outcomes with Mueller. He doesn't want Mueller calling on him when he runs for President or untimely in 2018. Trump always wants to believe he is in control and forcing his testimony is his idea of control to ensure there are no trip wires in the political future.
The media on a regular basis states Trump voters are loyal no matter what. There is a reason for that. Most of his constituents are new to politics. I defy the 'establishment' media to know who these folks are by name and power structure.
Under the "W" administration it became easy to receive money for a political organization and file as a 401(d)3. These political pacs began to organize immediately after President Obama won the presidency. It started in Wilmington, NC through "Talk Radio." I do mean immediately. These groups were organized and funded initially by the Kochs. They became known as "The Tea Party," under a variety of names.
They know nothing else. These political pacs have created new millionaires. Does anyone think they are going to give their paycheck up? They will vote for Trump even if he shot someone in the streets. His words, not mine.
The Tea Party political pacs which should also be known as "The Koch Pacs," would lose everything if they lost their ideology to reality. The reason the Republicans have no real policies is because they don't deal in reality, they speak rhetoric as if reality and Trump caught them at it. No one is going to tell me he was so naive to believe the Republicans actually had a health care plan that simply needed to be passed through Congress and signed by the President.
It doesn't matter the reality with the new millionaires. They have found a wagon trans to hitch to and they aren't going anywhere with their ideology or political ambitions. Heck, Trump is their best paycheck. The extremists are their prize. What's his name, Trump's White Supremacist buddy. He wouldn't be where he is without those Koch Pacs. So, he will make his millions and billions no matter the path for the USA.
They don't care. They will go where the USA never should go.
Thursday, October 12, 2017
Senator Rand Paul is playing games with American's health care.
ERISA is one of the reasons the ACA was adopted. It is horrible insurance. It might get you in the ER, but, not much further and even then won't pay a dime for the ER visit.
That is another thing. US Republican Senators always complain subscribers may not be able to keep their doctors, but, in the same breath they will say Americans can go to the ER and recieve care if they don't have any insurance. Amazing. I don't know of an ER with the same doctor on 24-7. Perhaps Senator Paul does.
This law provides standards that are litigable. Many employers exceeded the minimal standards of ERISA before the Affordable Care Act, but, still did not provide excellent care. There were still companies denying claims and killing Americans.
President Obama stated, "If you want to keep your doctor, you can." These are the plans the right wing was using to accuse President Obama of lying. These are the worst health care plans on the market when THEY MEET MINIMUM STANDARDS.
Reaching back to the past is easy for Republicans. US Senator Rand Paul has done no research, he simply looked at old legislation and decided it was good enough. He hasnt bothered to realize what kind of care Americans receive under these plans, he simply wanted to have an answer. This basement law requirement has been around for decades. It is what allows people to go bankrupt with health care costs. This is not good health care, it is minimal health care with unreasonable deductibles.
One of the statements by Rand Paul was that members experience no increase in cost and that has been true since the law began.
No kidding.
Senator Rand Paul needs to put an example on his website of a long lived ERISA minimalist plan that has not changed costs all these decades. Then with a straight face, tell Americans they need nothing except the plans that collect monthly subscription fees without coverage. Go ahead. Tell Americans they can expect nothing more from the Trump administration and Congress than a nightmare in health care.
ERISA health plans: Key structural variations and their effect on liability (click here)
To the left is content from Appendix 1
President Trump cannot write an order to end legislation passed by Congress.
That is another thing. US Republican Senators always complain subscribers may not be able to keep their doctors, but, in the same breath they will say Americans can go to the ER and recieve care if they don't have any insurance. Amazing. I don't know of an ER with the same doctor on 24-7. Perhaps Senator Paul does.
This law provides standards that are litigable. Many employers exceeded the minimal standards of ERISA before the Affordable Care Act, but, still did not provide excellent care. There were still companies denying claims and killing Americans.
President Obama stated, "If you want to keep your doctor, you can." These are the plans the right wing was using to accuse President Obama of lying. These are the worst health care plans on the market when THEY MEET MINIMUM STANDARDS.
Reaching back to the past is easy for Republicans. US Senator Rand Paul has done no research, he simply looked at old legislation and decided it was good enough. He hasnt bothered to realize what kind of care Americans receive under these plans, he simply wanted to have an answer. This basement law requirement has been around for decades. It is what allows people to go bankrupt with health care costs. This is not good health care, it is minimal health care with unreasonable deductibles.
One of the statements by Rand Paul was that members experience no increase in cost and that has been true since the law began.
No kidding.
Senator Rand Paul needs to put an example on his website of a long lived ERISA minimalist plan that has not changed costs all these decades. Then with a straight face, tell Americans they need nothing except the plans that collect monthly subscription fees without coverage. Go ahead. Tell Americans they can expect nothing more from the Trump administration and Congress than a nightmare in health care.
ERISA health plans: Key structural variations and their effect on liability (click here)To the left is content from Appendix 1
President Trump cannot write an order to end legislation passed by Congress.
The Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (ERISA) (click here) is a federal law that sets minimum standards for most voluntarily established pension and health plans in private industry to provide protection for individuals in these plans.
ERISA requires plans to provide participants with plan information including important information about plan features and funding; provides fiduciary responsibilities for those who manage and control plan assets; requires plans to establish a grievance and appeals process for participants to get benefits from their plans; and gives participants the right to sue for benefits and breaches of fiduciary duty.
There have been a number of amendments to ERISA, expanding the protections available to health benefit plan participants and beneficiaries. One important amendment, the Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act (COBRA), provides some workers and their families with the right to continue their health coverage for a limited time after certain events, such as the loss of a job. Another amendment to ERISA is the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) which provides important new protections for working Americans and their families who have preexisting medical conditions or might otherwise suffer discrimination in health coverage based on factors that relate to an individual's health. Other important amendments include the Newborns' and Mothers' Health Protection Act, the Mental Health Parity Act, and the Women's Health and Cancer Rights Act.
In general, ERISA does not cover group health plans established or maintained by governmental entities, churches for their employees, or plans which are maintained solely to comply with applicable workers compensation, unemployment, or disability laws. ERISA also does not cover plans maintained outside the United States primarily for the benefit of nonresident aliens or unfunded excess benefit plans.
That should be enough to mull over for now.
Something far more important is the subliminal message being assessed in the new "Star Wars" trailer (click here).
Something far more important is the subliminal message being assessed in the new "Star Wars" trailer (click here).
When discussing violence against women, including sexual assault, I think it is still in the early days of feminism.
I might remind feminism has the same meaning for men and women. Feminism is not about removing rights, identities or social restructuring; it is about freedom and the right of men and women to increase opportunity.
Ex: A wedding band for both the woman and man.
The right to pursue any profession, including and especially those genderized from the past, ie: male nurses and teachers, female truck drivers and soldiers, women ministers, graduate schools open to both genders. Feminism opens life's experiences to all people. Equality. It does not change the fact women are smaller in height and lighter in weight. The secondary sex characteristics don't change because the opportunity is greater. Genetics are not assaulted because there is equality. Women are still women and men are still men. It has nothing to do with choosing marriage and whom to marry. Equality is equal opportunity.
The reason I bring this up is because so much of the sexual assault of women occurs in the workplace. Women's presence among men increased in the 1960s. When that movement occurred it seems to me there was a stereotype of disrespect that developed for women. It was an assault on gender stereotypes and men's defense of 'having to put up with women' in places they weren't previously was to demean them.
Are women still dealing with the past? Stereotypes long since jettisoned by current generations?
...For decades, (click here) there were few significant changes in the ways women were treated at work. Those who complained discovered that sexually predatory behavior on the job was dismissed as trivial and harmless. Women rarely talked openly about the issue, although the situation only became more pressing as their participation in the workforce increased throughout the 1960s and 1970s.
The turning point finally came in the mid-1970s, as the women’s liberation movement began to challenge a justice system — as well as a culture at large — that failed to recognize women’s consent. The campaign against sexual harassment was the natural extension of the grassroots anti-rape and anti-battering movements, which grew out of consciousness-raising sessions in which women shared personal stories and realized they were not alone in their experiences....
I don't believe we have erased the anger men have with women that are smart, assertive and TAKING THEIR JOBS. We are not peers. We need to be valued as peers, not just a woman with a job.
A real life example of the Dark Ages. I was in a restaurant when a man and his friend came in with a baby. It was his daughter. Regardless, the babies gender the man needed a space to change the baby's diaper. He went into the men's room and there was no changing station there. He called the waitress over and explained his wife was not with him and he needed a place to change his baby daughter. The waitress talked with the manager who came to his table and apologized for the lack of facility. He asked the waitress to go into the Ladies Room to see if anyone was inside. When the Ladies Restroom was empty he stationed himself outside and allowed the man in to change the baby at the station in the Ladies Room.
This is 2017. There are no baby changing stations in the Men's Room of a fairly nice restaurant. Why?
True story.
The reason I bring this up is because so much of the sexual assault of women occurs in the workplace. Women's presence among men increased in the 1960s. When that movement occurred it seems to me there was a stereotype of disrespect that developed for women. It was an assault on gender stereotypes and men's defense of 'having to put up with women' in places they weren't previously was to demean them.
Are women still dealing with the past? Stereotypes long since jettisoned by current generations?
...For decades, (click here) there were few significant changes in the ways women were treated at work. Those who complained discovered that sexually predatory behavior on the job was dismissed as trivial and harmless. Women rarely talked openly about the issue, although the situation only became more pressing as their participation in the workforce increased throughout the 1960s and 1970s.
The turning point finally came in the mid-1970s, as the women’s liberation movement began to challenge a justice system — as well as a culture at large — that failed to recognize women’s consent. The campaign against sexual harassment was the natural extension of the grassroots anti-rape and anti-battering movements, which grew out of consciousness-raising sessions in which women shared personal stories and realized they were not alone in their experiences....
I don't believe we have erased the anger men have with women that are smart, assertive and TAKING THEIR JOBS. We are not peers. We need to be valued as peers, not just a woman with a job.
A real life example of the Dark Ages. I was in a restaurant when a man and his friend came in with a baby. It was his daughter. Regardless, the babies gender the man needed a space to change the baby's diaper. He went into the men's room and there was no changing station there. He called the waitress over and explained his wife was not with him and he needed a place to change his baby daughter. The waitress talked with the manager who came to his table and apologized for the lack of facility. He asked the waitress to go into the Ladies Room to see if anyone was inside. When the Ladies Restroom was empty he stationed himself outside and allowed the man in to change the baby at the station in the Ladies Room.
This is 2017. There are no baby changing stations in the Men's Room of a fairly nice restaurant. Why?
True story.
§8801. Definitions
The term "vessel" has the meaning given that term insection 3 of title 1 (click here) .
vessel
The word “vessel” includes every description of watercraft or other artificial contrivance used, or capable of being used, as a means of transportation on water.
(a) In general
In this chapter:
(1) Agricultural commodity
The term "agricultural commodity" has the meaning given that term in section 5602 of title 7 .
(1)Agricultural commodity
The term “agricultural commodity” means any agricultural commodity, food, feed, fiber, or livestock (including livestock as it is defined in section 1471(2) of this title and insects), and any product thereof.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Before going forward I thought this aspect of law should be repeated. The President cannot simply decertify without cause. If Donald Trump decertifies the JCPOA, it will be in violation of international law.
SEC. 8. TERMINATION OF SANCTIONS. (click here)
(a) IRAN.—The requirement under section 5(a) to impose sanctions
shall no longer have force or effect with respect to Iran
if the President determines and certifies to the appropriate congressional
committees that Iran—
(1) has ceased its efforts to design, develop, manufacture,
or acquire—
(A) a nuclear explosive device or related materials
and technology;
(B) chemical and biological weapons; and
(C) ballistic missiles and ballistic missile launch technology;
and
(2) has been removed from the list of countries the governments
of which have been determined, for purposes of section
6(j) of the Export Administration Act of 1979, to have repeatedly
provided support for acts of international terrorism.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Before going forward I thought this aspect of law should be repeated. The President cannot simply decertify without cause. If Donald Trump decertifies the JCPOA, it will be in violation of international law.
SEC. 8. TERMINATION OF SANCTIONS. (click here)
(a) IRAN.—The requirement under section 5(a) to impose sanctions
shall no longer have force or effect with respect to Iran
if the President determines and certifies to the appropriate congressional
committees that Iran—
(1) has ceased its efforts to design, develop, manufacture,
or acquire—
(A) a nuclear explosive device or related materials
and technology;
(B) chemical and biological weapons; and
(C) ballistic missiles and ballistic missile launch technology;
and
(2) has been removed from the list of countries the governments
of which have been determined, for purposes of section
6(j) of the Export Administration Act of 1979, to have repeatedly
provided support for acts of international terrorism.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(2) Appropriate congressional committees
The term "appropriate congressional committees" means—
(A) the committees specified in section 14(2) of the Iran Sanctions Act of 1996 (Public Law 104–172 ; 50 U.S.C. 1701 note ); and
(2) APPROPRIATE CONGRESSIONAL COMMITTEES.—The term
‘‘appropriate congressional committees’’ means the Committee
on Finance, the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban
Affairs, and the Committee on Foreign Relations of the Senate
and the Committee on Ways and Means, the Committee on
Banking and Financial Services, and the Committee on
InternationalRelations of the House of Representatives.
(2) APPROPRIATE CONGRESSIONAL COMMITTEES.—The term
‘‘appropriate congressional committees’’ means the Committee
on Finance, the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban
Affairs, and the Committee on Foreign Relations of the Senate
and the Committee on Ways and Means, the Committee on
Banking and Financial Services, and the Committee on
InternationalRelations of the House of Representatives.
(3) Coal
The term "coal" means metallurgical coal, coking coal, or fuel coke.
(4) Correspondent account; payable-through account
The terms "correspondent account" and "payable-through account" have the meanings given those terms in section 5318A of title 31 .
payable-through account
(C)The term “payable-through account” means an account, including a transaction account (as defined in section 19(b)(1)(C) of the Federal Reserve Act), opened at a depository institution by a foreign financial institution by means of which the foreign financial institution permits its customers to engage, either directly or through a subaccount, in banking activities usual in connection with the business of banking in the United States.
correspondent account
(B)The term “correspondent account” means an account established to receive deposits from, make payments on behalf of a foreign financial institution, or handle other financial transactions related to such institution.
payable-through account
(C)The term “payable-through account” means an account, including a transaction account (as defined in section 19(b)(1)(C) of the Federal Reserve Act), opened at a depository institution by a foreign financial institution by means of which the foreign financial institution permits its customers to engage, either directly or through a subaccount, in banking activities usual in connection with the business of banking in the United States.
correspondent account
(B)The term “correspondent account” means an account established to receive deposits from, make payments on behalf of a foreign financial institution, or handle other financial transactions related to such institution.
(5) Foreign financial institution
The term "foreign financial institution" has the meaning of that term as determined by the Secretary of the Treasury pursuant to section 8513(i) of this title .
foreign financial institution (click here)
(D)The terms “foreign financial institution” and “domestic financial institution” shall have the meanings of those terms as determined by the Secretary of the Treasury.
foreign financial institution (click here)
(D)The terms “foreign financial institution” and “domestic financial institution” shall have the meanings of those terms as determined by the Secretary of the Treasury.
(6) Good
The term "good" has the meaning given that term in section 4618 of title 50 (click here) (as continued in effect pursuant to the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (50 U.S.C. 1701 et seq. )). (click here)
good
(3)the term “good” means any article, natural or manmade substance, material, supply or manufactured product, including inspection and test equipment, and excluding technical data;
good
(3)the term “good” means any article, natural or manmade substance, material, supply or manufactured product, including inspection and test equipment, and excluding technical data;
(7) Iranian financial institution
The term "Iranian financial institution" has the meaning given that term in section 8513b(d) of this title .
Iranian financial institution (click here)
(3)The term “Iranian financial institution” means— (A)a financial institution organized under the laws of Iran or any jurisdiction within Iran, including a foreign branch of such an institution; (B)a financial institution located in Iran; (C)a financial institution, wherever located, owned or controlled by the Government of Iran; and (D)a financial institution, wherever located, owned or controlled by a financial institution described in subparagraph (A), (B), or (C).
Iranian financial institution (click here)
(3)The term “Iranian financial institution” means— (A)a financial institution organized under the laws of Iran or any jurisdiction within Iran, including a foreign branch of such an institution; (B)a financial institution located in Iran; (C)a financial institution, wherever located, owned or controlled by the Government of Iran; and (D)a financial institution, wherever located, owned or controlled by a financial institution described in subparagraph (A), (B), or (C).
(8) Iranian person
The term "Iranian person" means—
(A) an individual who is a citizen or national of Iran; and
(B) an entity organized under the laws of Iran or otherwise subject to the jurisdiction of the Government of Iran.
(9) Knowingly
The term "knowingly", with respect to conduct, a circumstance, or a result, means that a person has actual knowledge, or should have known, of the conduct, the circumstance, or the result.
(10) Medical device
The term "medical device" has the meaning given the term "device" in section 321 of title 21(click here).
device
(h)The term “device” (except when used in paragraph (n) of this section and inmeans an instrument, apparatus, implement, machine, contrivance, implant, in vitro reagent, or other similar or related article, including any component, part, or accessory, which is—
device
(h)The term “device” (except when used in paragraph (n) of this section and inmeans an instrument, apparatus, implement, machine, contrivance, implant, in vitro reagent, or other similar or related article, including any component, part, or accessory, which is—
(11) Medicine
The term "medicine" has the meaning given the term "drug" in section 321 of title 21 .
(g)
(g)
(12) Shipping
The term "shipping" refers to the transportation of goods by a vessel and related activities.
(13) United States person
The term "United States person" has the meaning given that term in section 8511 of this title .
(14) Vessel
The term "vessel" has the meaning given that term in
vessel
The word “vessel” includes every description of watercraft or other artificial contrivance used, or capable of being used, as a means of transportation on water.
The Iran Sanctions were lifted to provide for the JCPOA (Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action)
October 18, 2017
Bureau of Economic and Business Affairs
Acting under the authorities vested in me as Secretary of State, including through the applicable delegations of authority, I hereby make the following determinations and certifications:
Pursuant to Sections 1244(i), 1245(g), 1246(e), and 1247(f) of the Iran Freedom and Counter-Proliferation Act of 2012 (subtitle D of title XII of Public Law 112-239, 22 U.S.C. 8801 et seq.) (IFCA), I determine that it is vital to the national security of the United States to waive the imposition of sanctions under the following provisions, to the extent necessary to implement the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), including the U.S. commitments with respect to sanctions described in Sections 17.1-17.2 and 17.5 of Annex V of the JCPOA, effective as provided in the last paragraph below:...
The document of which the waivers apply is entitled, "Iran Freedom and Counter-Proliferation Act of 2012." It was signed into law by President Obama on January 2, 2013. There has to be a document to withdraw from and that is the one that applies.
January 15, 2013
On Tuesday, (click here) January 2, 2013 President Obama signed into law the FY 2013 National Defense Authorization Act (the "FY 2013 NDAA"), a large legislative package that includes the Iran Freedom and Counter-Proliferation Act of 2012 (the "IFCPA")–the fourth major legislative expansion of US sanctions against Iran in just the past two years....
22 USC Ch. 95: IRAN FREEDOM AND COUNTERPROLIFERATION
Bureau of Economic and Business Affairs
Acting under the authorities vested in me as Secretary of State, including through the applicable delegations of authority, I hereby make the following determinations and certifications:
Pursuant to Sections 1244(i), 1245(g), 1246(e), and 1247(f) of the Iran Freedom and Counter-Proliferation Act of 2012 (subtitle D of title XII of Public Law 112-239, 22 U.S.C. 8801 et seq.) (IFCA), I determine that it is vital to the national security of the United States to waive the imposition of sanctions under the following provisions, to the extent necessary to implement the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), including the U.S. commitments with respect to sanctions described in Sections 17.1-17.2 and 17.5 of Annex V of the JCPOA, effective as provided in the last paragraph below:...
The document of which the waivers apply is entitled, "Iran Freedom and Counter-Proliferation Act of 2012." It was signed into law by President Obama on January 2, 2013. There has to be a document to withdraw from and that is the one that applies.
January 15, 2013
On Tuesday, (click here) January 2, 2013 President Obama signed into law the FY 2013 National Defense Authorization Act (the "FY 2013 NDAA"), a large legislative package that includes the Iran Freedom and Counter-Proliferation Act of 2012 (the "IFCPA")–the fourth major legislative expansion of US sanctions against Iran in just the past two years....
22 USC Ch. 95: IRAN FREEDOM AND COUNTERPROLIFERATION
From Title 22—FOREIGN RELATIONS AND INTERCOURSE (click here)
Table of Contents
Table of Contents
Sec.8801.Definitions.
8802.Sense of Congress relating to violations of human
rights by Iran.
8803.Imposition of sanctions with respect to the energy, shipping,
and shipbuilding sectors of Iran.
8804.Imposition of sanctions with respect to the sale, supply, or
transfer of certain materials to or from Iran.
8805.Imposition of sanctions with respect to the provision of
underwriting services or insurance or reinsurance for activities or persons
with respect to which sanctions have been imposed.
8806.Imposition of sanctions with respect to foreign financial
institutions that facilitate financial transactions on behalf of specially
designated nationals.
8807.Impositions of sanctions with respect to the Islamic Republic
of Iran Broadcasting.
8808.Report on use of certain Iranian seaports by foreign vessels
and use of foreign airports by sanctioned Iranian air carriers.
8809.Implementation; penalties.
8810.Applicability to certain natural gas projects.
8811.Rule of construction.
Self-explanatory.
January 16, 2016
Bureau of Economic and Business Affairs
Bureau of Economic and Business Affairs
CONFIRMATION OF VERIFICATION OF IRANIAN ACTIONS PURSUANT TO THE JOINT COMPREHENSIVE PLAN OF ACTION
I hereby confirm that the International Atomic Energy Agency has verified that Iran has fully implemented its required commitments as specified in Sections 15.1-15.11 of Annex V of the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA). The U.S. sanctions-related commitments described in Sections 17.1-17.5 of Annex V of the JCPOA are now in effect.
One step closer to a peace treaty with Israel.
Egypt is a very valuable partner for peace in the Middle East.
October 12, 2017
Palestinian political parties Hamas and Fatah (click here) signed a reconciliation deal in the Egyptian capital, Cairo, on Thursday, as part of an effort to end a decade-long rift.
The announcement comes after representatives from Hamas and the Fatah-led Palestinian Authority (PA) convened in Cairo on Tuesday to implement a unity agreement that was signed in 2011 but not put into action.
At a press conference, head of the PA delegation Azzam al-Ahmad said the two sides agreed that the Rafah border crossing between Egypt and Gaza would be operated by the presidential guards of PA president Mahmoud Abbas by November 1.
"According security measures will be applied and adopted by the Palestinian Authority where the presidential guards will be spread all over the borders," said al-Ahmad.
He added that under the instructions of Abbas, the two groups would not return to the occupied Palestinian territories unless they had a "final agreement that would put aside the rift forever ... to achieve the Palestinian dream, put an end to occupation, and to have a Palestinian, independent, sovereign state with East Jerusalem as the capital".
Saleh al-Arouri, deputy head of the Hamas political office also spoke, thanking Egypt for its "stable role".
"The Palestinian issue is the Egyptian issue," said al-Arouri....
October 12, 2017
Palestinian political parties Hamas and Fatah (click here) signed a reconciliation deal in the Egyptian capital, Cairo, on Thursday, as part of an effort to end a decade-long rift.
The announcement comes after representatives from Hamas and the Fatah-led Palestinian Authority (PA) convened in Cairo on Tuesday to implement a unity agreement that was signed in 2011 but not put into action.
At a press conference, head of the PA delegation Azzam al-Ahmad said the two sides agreed that the Rafah border crossing between Egypt and Gaza would be operated by the presidential guards of PA president Mahmoud Abbas by November 1.
"According security measures will be applied and adopted by the Palestinian Authority where the presidential guards will be spread all over the borders," said al-Ahmad.
He added that under the instructions of Abbas, the two groups would not return to the occupied Palestinian territories unless they had a "final agreement that would put aside the rift forever ... to achieve the Palestinian dream, put an end to occupation, and to have a Palestinian, independent, sovereign state with East Jerusalem as the capital".
Saleh al-Arouri, deputy head of the Hamas political office also spoke, thanking Egypt for its "stable role".
"The Palestinian issue is the Egyptian issue," said al-Arouri....
Trump is an isolationist. The question is, does Congress follow the same course.
October 12, 2017
The US (click here) has announced it will withdraw from the United Nations Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), accusing the body of "anti-Israel bias".
Heather Nauert, US state department spokesperson, said on Thursday the US would establish an "observer mission" to replace its representation at the Paris-based agency.
The US was angered in 2011 when UNESCO members granted Palestine full membership of the body, despite opposition from its ally Israel.
The US opposes any move by UN bodies to recognise the Palestinians as a state, believing that this must await a negotiated Middle East peace deal.
But US President Donald Trump's administration is also reviewing many of its multilateral commitments, pursuing what he calls an "America First" foreign policy.
October 11, 2017
...The move, (click here) which could be announced as early as next week, marks America’s further estrangement from an organization that it helped establish after World War II to widen access to education and ensure the free flow of ideas. The United States will maintain its presence at UNESCO as an observer state....
...The Ronald Reagan administration decided to withdraw from the organization in 1984, at the height of the Cold War, citing corruption and what it considered an ideological tilt toward the Soviet Union against the West. President George W. Bush rejoined the organization in 2002, claiming it had gotten its books an order and expunged some of its most virulent anti-Western and anti-Israel biases.
“America will participate fully in its mission to advance human rights, tolerance, and learning,” he said at the time.
But six years ago, the United States cut off more than $80 million a year, about 22 percent of its entire budget for UNESCO, in reprisal for the organization’s acceptance of Palestine as a member. The Obama administration said it had to cut funds because a 1990s-era law prohibits U.S. funding for any U.N. agencies recognizing Palestine as a state.
Despite the funding cut, the United States remains a member of UNESCO and even has a vote on the executive board, which selects the new director-general. But the United States has and it continues to be charged tens of millions in dues each year, and it has lost its voting rights in UNESCO’s principal decision-making body, which is known as the General Conference. That body approves UNESCO’s budget and establishes a range of programs dealing with education, science, and culture around the globe.
As a result of U.S. funding cuts, U.S. arrears have been swelling each year, surpassing $500 million that’s owed to UNESCO. Tillerson wants to stop the bleeding....
The US (click here) has announced it will withdraw from the United Nations Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), accusing the body of "anti-Israel bias".
Heather Nauert, US state department spokesperson, said on Thursday the US would establish an "observer mission" to replace its representation at the Paris-based agency.
The US was angered in 2011 when UNESCO members granted Palestine full membership of the body, despite opposition from its ally Israel.
The US opposes any move by UN bodies to recognise the Palestinians as a state, believing that this must await a negotiated Middle East peace deal.
But US President Donald Trump's administration is also reviewing many of its multilateral commitments, pursuing what he calls an "America First" foreign policy.
October 11, 2017
...The move, (click here) which could be announced as early as next week, marks America’s further estrangement from an organization that it helped establish after World War II to widen access to education and ensure the free flow of ideas. The United States will maintain its presence at UNESCO as an observer state....
...The Ronald Reagan administration decided to withdraw from the organization in 1984, at the height of the Cold War, citing corruption and what it considered an ideological tilt toward the Soviet Union against the West. President George W. Bush rejoined the organization in 2002, claiming it had gotten its books an order and expunged some of its most virulent anti-Western and anti-Israel biases.
“America will participate fully in its mission to advance human rights, tolerance, and learning,” he said at the time.
But six years ago, the United States cut off more than $80 million a year, about 22 percent of its entire budget for UNESCO, in reprisal for the organization’s acceptance of Palestine as a member. The Obama administration said it had to cut funds because a 1990s-era law prohibits U.S. funding for any U.N. agencies recognizing Palestine as a state.
Despite the funding cut, the United States remains a member of UNESCO and even has a vote on the executive board, which selects the new director-general. But the United States has and it continues to be charged tens of millions in dues each year, and it has lost its voting rights in UNESCO’s principal decision-making body, which is known as the General Conference. That body approves UNESCO’s budget and establishes a range of programs dealing with education, science, and culture around the globe.
As a result of U.S. funding cuts, U.S. arrears have been swelling each year, surpassing $500 million that’s owed to UNESCO. Tillerson wants to stop the bleeding....
Mr. President, stop harassing the press.
For as conscious as you are regarding the dialogues of the news organizations, I am only left to wonder who is taking care of the country.
The Gulf Coast and the Atlantic territories are in shambles. There is plenty to attend to without tapping into political insecurity.
Presidents always have trouble communicating with the press when it comes to actions and policies.
Enough already.
The Iraqi forces have taken back their country. There is every reason to believe they are strong enough to ensure the future of their children.
October 11, 2017
For as conscious as you are regarding the dialogues of the news organizations, I am only left to wonder who is taking care of the country.
The Gulf Coast and the Atlantic territories are in shambles. There is plenty to attend to without tapping into political insecurity.
Presidents always have trouble communicating with the press when it comes to actions and policies.
Enough already.
The Iraqi forces have taken back their country. There is every reason to believe they are strong enough to ensure the future of their children.
October 11, 2017
Far from the force that swept across Iraq in mid-2014 (click here) and seized control of nearly a third of the country, ISIL today has been weakened significantly, relegated to just a few dozen square kilometres of ground, with manpower in the low thousands.
The Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL, also known as ISIS) group was removed last week from yet another stretch of the country, the latest in a series of blows to the once-powerful armed group. The town of Hawija, which ISIL had held since 2014, lies around 240km north of Baghdad and was its last urban stronghold in Iraq...
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)