Lawsuit. Malicious prosecution by Sessions and Trump.

Andrew McCabe was fully vested in his retirement plan.

To be vested (click here) (eligible to receive your retirement benefits from the Basic Benefit plan if you leave Federal service before retiring), you must have at least 5 years of creditable civilian service. 

In this June 7, 2017, file photo, then-FBI acting director Andrew McCabe listens during a Senate Intelligence Committee hearing about the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act, on Capitol Hill in Washington. McCabe is making his case at the Justice Department for why he should not be fired. McCabe was inside the Justice Department building March 15, 2018. A person familiar with the matter but not authorized to speak publicly about it said McCabe was pleading his case against termination. Disciplinary officials at the FBI have recommended that the Justice Department fire McCabe ahead of his scheduled retirement Sunday.

The evidence against any validity to the firing of Mr. McCabe doesn't exist.

March 15, 2018

...An inspector general report (click here) that has not yet been released is expected to conclude that McCabe authorized FBI officials to speak with a Wall Street Journal reporter for an October 2016 story about differing views within the FBI and Justice Department on how aggressively the Clinton Foundation should be investigated. The report is also expected to allege that McCabe was not forthcoming with investigators with the inspector general's office about that media leak, something McCabe denies.

McCabe, who joined the FBI in 1996, abruptly went on leave from his deputy director's job in January. He served for several months as the bureau's acting director following the firing last May of Director James Comey.

Trump has repeatedly singled out McCabe in arguing that FBI leadership is biased against him. He has pointed to campaign contributions that McCabe's wife received during a failed run for the Virginia state Senate from the political action committee of then-Virginia Gov. Terry McAuliffe, a close Hillary Clinton ally....

Slate:

...The allegations (click here) revolve around disclosures to The Wall Street Journal, which revealed in October 2016 a dispute between the F.B.I. and Justice Department over how to proceed in an investigation into the Clinton family’s foundation. The article said that the Justice Department would not authorize subpoenas in the case. Some F.B.I. agents, the article said, believed that Mr. McCabe had put the brakes on the investigation. Others rejected that notion. …

In the Journal story, a person described as close to Mr. McCabe pushed back on the notion that he had tried to shut down the Clinton Foundation investigation. To the contrary, the person described a tense conversation with the Justice Department in which Mr. McCabe insisted his agents had the authority to keep investigating.

The article was a negative one for the Clinton campaign....

Trump is running game on them to discredit any testimony regarding the Mueller investigation. At the very most this is an ethical issue and not a crime. In no way do the actions of Comey or McCabe rise to the level of employment and/or their EARNED benefits.

Former Director McCabe needs to remain available to testimony as Former Director Comey did. It is the country on the line. It is vital Mr. McCabe take on the challenge of bringing the truth to the country.

Today, March 16, 2018, there is absolutely no evidence that carries this level of ridicule and punishment. 

October 19, 2018
By Sam Frizell

FBI Director James Comey (click here) has come under a hail of criticism from Democrats, Republicans and government officials for his public announcement on Friday that his agency is re-examining Hillary Clinton’s email investigation 11 days before the election.

Comey’s announcement on Friday — little more than a week before the Nov. 8 presidential election — has shaken the race between Clinton and Donald Trump, and potentially boosted Republican chances to hold its majorities in Congress.

Within 24 hours, Clinton and her top aides, as well as top Republicans and government officials are questioning Comey’s decision in a politically charged environment ahead of a bitter general election.

The strongest criticism has come from Clinton and her campaign, which is struggling to regain its footing....

This is making the country less safe. The people being dismissed that are career FBI, CIA or military can't replaced overnight. It isn't like hiring more people to change bedding at a Trump hotel. This is crazy. These are ethical violations at the most regardless the effect on the USA elections. Unless someone has the goods on these guys that they are connected to Russia as double agents, this government over reach.

January 29, 2018
By Max Kutner

FBI-LA Assistant Director (click here) in Charge David Bowdich with Associate Regional Director Ariella Schusterman.

...“Great guy,” said Katherine Schweit, a retired FBI executive. “He’s well respected.”

We know where any issue of impeachment lies. The conservative commentators came before the Republican lawmakers in calling for a purge of the Comey era FBI. 

...But Republican lawmakers and conservative commentators (click here) who have called for a “purge” of the bureau’s Comey-era officials might be disappointed, given his former proximity to Comey and McCabe. In testimony before the Senate Intelligence Committee last June, Comey said he had spoken to senior colleagues including Bowdich about President Donald Trump’s allegedly asking Comey to have the FBI back off its probe into Michael Flynn, the former national security adviser.

Because of that apparent conversation, and because he was the No. 3 official under Comey, Bowdich is a potential witness into whether Trump obstructed justice by firing Comey. Last June, Senator Dianne Feinstein, the ranking member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, requested that the committee interview Bowdich and other FBI officials as the panel investigated Comey’s termination.

Before his departure, McCabe told Bowdich and other senior employees that they might have to serve as witnesses in special counsel Robert Mueller’s investigation into Russian meddling in the 2016 presidential election and possible coordination with the Trump campaign, Vox reported in August....

This clinches it, Trump paid "hush money" to prevent her from talking to the country before the election of 2016.

Mr. Trump certainly looks content with the relationship.

March 16, 2018
By Christal Hayes

President Trump's attorney Michael Cohen (click here) claims adult film actress Stormy Daniels violated a nondisclosure agreement and could have to pay $20 million in damages, according to the Washington Post. 

Cohen claims Daniels violated the nondisclosure agreement 20 times, which would amount to him being entitled to $20 million in damages, the newspaper reported. The claims were made in a court filing on Friday, the same day a high-profile attorney signed on to the case.

Daniels' story of an alleged affair has been the center of controversy for weeks after it was discovered Cohen paid the porn star $130,000 shortly before the 2016 presidential election....                              

The USA fell from the top 10 nations to survive the climate crisis to 15th.

Washington — With FEMA facing its deepest scrutiny(click here) in more than a decade, the government watchdog in charge of measuring the agency's performance is no longer assessing its initial response to disasters.

The decision by the Department of Homeland Security's Office of Inspector General to no longer issue preliminary reports comes as the watchdog took the extraordinary step last week of pulling a dozen largely positive assessments of the Obama administration's initial response to several disasters.

Acting DHS Inspector General John V. Kelly said the reports, pulled last week from the IG's web site, didn't meet proper standards for a government audit.

"We were not confident that the evidence collected (in those reports) was necessary to support the conclusion," Kelly said in an interview Thursday. "It doesn't mean the conclusion was wrong (but) our standard is that it has to be adequately supported. You can't say something without having the evidence even if it's true."...

There is an assessment of countries that occurs on a regular basis to determine the survivability through the climate crisis. The USA is not 15th because of it turned away from the Obama strategic plan for FEMA (click here).

The assessment calls for First World countries to help poorer countries to assist their struggling populations.

March 16, 2018
By Lorraine Chow

Last year, (click here) one of the hottest years in modern history, was also the costliest year ever for weather disasters, setting the U.S. back a record-setting $306 billion in spending aid and relief cost.

But it appears the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), the agency that responds to hurricanes, flooding and wildfires, is ignoring a critical factor that exacerbates these natural disasters: climate change....   

The sweet sixteen is being decided today.

March 16, 2018
By Joe Tansey

Friday's set of 16 games (click here) at the 2018 NCAA men's basketball tournament has a lot to live up to.

After a Thursday packed with drama and a few upsets, expect more as 16 teams progress beyond the weekend.

Despite all the chaos Thursday, only three underdogs advanced to the round of 32. Friday has the potential to see more double-digit seeds come out on top, as there are a few favorable matchups for mid-major powers.....

No. 7 Texas A&M vs. No. 10 Providence (12:15 p.m., CBS)

No. 2 Purdue vs. No. 15 CSU Fullerton (12:40 p.m., truTV)

No. 4 Wichita State vs. No. 13 Marshall (1:30 p.m., TNT)

No. 2 Cincinnati vs. No. 15 Georgia State (2 p.m., TBS)

No. 2 North Carolina vs. No. 15 Lipscomb (2:45 p.m., CBS)

No. 7 Arkansas vs. No. 10 Butler (3:10 p.m., truTV)

No. 5 West Virginia vs. No. 12 Murray State (4 p.m., TNT)

No. 7 Nevada vs. No. 10 Texas (4:30 p.m., TBS)

No. 8 Creighton vs. No. 9 Kansas State (6:50 p.m., TNT)

No. 3 Michigan State vs. No. 14 Bucknell (7:10 p.m., CBS)

No. 1 Xavier vs. No. 16 Texas Southern (7:20 p.m., TBS)

No. 4 Auburn vs. No. 13 Charleston (7:27 p.m., truTV)

No. 1 Virginia vs. No. 16 UMBC (9:20 p.m., TNT)

No. 6 TCU vs. No. 11 Syracuse (9:40 p.m., CBS)

No. 8 Missouri vs. No. 9 Florida State (9:50 p.m., TBS)

No. 5 Clemson vs. No. 12 New Mexico State (9:55 p.m., truTV)

This is more demonstration of the inability of people to give up White Supremacist symbols of oppression.

The name Lee should not be anywhere in the renaming of the elementary school. The reason is to look toward the younger members of the White Supremacist movements like Dylan Roof and his sister. They need to understand clearly there is no White Supremacist anything in the USA anymore. The museums have the Civil War in context to the events of the war, but, there is no honor in declaring hatred lives on.

I might point out, the Civil War was about slavery and wealth of plantation owners. The bigotry and racism came afterward and has no honor anywhere in the USA.

March 16, 2018
By Samuel Hardman

Lee Elementary (click here) lost its name Thursday night, but it didn't get a new one.

The Tulsa School Board rescinded the name Robert E. Lee Elementary School but tabled a renaming to “Lee School” after community members asked the board to slow down. The current name, Robert E. Lee, will remain in effect until July 1.

The board voted after a 2½-hour discussion that at times became heated.

Members of the community said they felt blindsided by the process...

It would seem as though Secretary Zinke is a great study of FOX News and how to lie without lying.

I don't think anyone could believe their own ears when "Stinky Zinke" stated he never took private jets; then clarified they were only propeller planes. The context of the questions by the Congresswoman was not about aircraft it was about money. The entire question was taken out of context and toyed with to provide an answer Zinke could defend in not having lied.

A cabinet secretary in the USA Executive Branch is supposed to be a somewhat solemn person and bring real facts to Congress when asked for them. That is not a solemn answer. That answer is filed with hubris and a 'designer statement' to bring about a result that is adverse to the country and the enormous new burgeoning national deficit.

"Stinky Zinke" is now responsible for an ethics violation and needs to minimally be admonished and/or fined for his casual playful attitude in his responsible position as Secretary of the Interior. It needs to be on the front page of every newsprint as well.

Trump seems incapable and/or unwilling to rein in the arrogance of his cabinet.

March 16, 2018
By Juliet Eilpern and Brady Dennis

Washington – During a Cabinet meeting (click here) at the White House last October, President Donald Trump extolled the virtues of the men and women surrounding him at the table.

“A great trust has been placed upon each member of our Cabinet,” he declared. “We have a Cabinet that – there are those that are saying it’s one of the finest group of people ever assembled . . . as a Cabinet. And I happen to agree with that.”

Less than five months later, Trump finds himself presiding over a Cabinet in which a number of members stand accused of living large at taxpayer expense – often by aggressively embracing the trappings of their high government posts.

At least a half-dozen current or former Trump Cabinet officials have been mired in federal investigations over everything from high-end travel and spending on items such as a soundproof phone booth to the role of family members weighing in on official business. On Wednesday alone, newly disclosed documents revealed fresh details about spending scandals at both the Environmental Protection Agency and the Department of Housing and Urban Development....

The idea the staff has to get used to cost containment at the highest offices in the federal government is an excuse and not a reasonable statement. Faking an answer to the US Congress when asked about private jet trips is not a novice, that is professional. Zinke really thought he could get away with deceiving Congress. That is a liar and a thief and a man that intends to continue his lavish lifestyle at the expense of the American people. At this level of government, there are no excuses.

...“Staff needs to get better and principals need to get smarter about asking questions like, ‘How much does this cost?’ ” he said. “All of these folks are all new to Washington power, and so are their staffs. At their power level, anything is possible.”...

An excuse like this only tells Zinke and those like him they need to learn to lie better because Congresswomen are not morons in a dress.

Each offense should demand the repayment to the USA Treasury of any monies unduly spent even if it takes the rest of their lives!

This spending is about arrogance and entitlement, traits not only unbecoming a US Cabinet member, but, dangerous in it's practice in that office.

...Referring to a complaint to HUD’s special counsel about redecorating his office, Carson tweeted on Feb. 28, “We suspect, based on past attempts, that they will continue to probe and make further accusations even without evidence or substantiation. We will continue to ask for God’s guidance to do what is right.....=

Amazing. The Republican God-Culture is even invoked in poor spending behavior. God told Carson he deserved a dining set worth tens of thousands of dollars. He should have laughed at that notion and provided dining sets to those in government subsidized housing. The arrogance is unbelievable.

I think Carson needs to spend some time at the dining tables of those that actually humble themselves before God to thank their savior for their daily food.

...At times, White House officials have made it clear to outsiders that they are scrutinizing Cabinet members closely. Two weeks ago, Chief of Staff John Kelly met with veterans service organizations to discuss the current turmoil at VA. Several representatives told him that Shulkin was being undermined at the department by an insurrection of high-level White House appointees who disagree with many of his policies, according to three people in attendance....

What question about veterans in need can exist that a high level Oval Office staffer needs to interfere? This report came out in September, things don't change that fast.

September 15, 2017

...Among VA findings: (click here)

Findings show there is variability across the nation in the rates and numbers of deaths by suicide among Veterans. Overall, the Veteran rates mirror those of the general population in the geographic region, with the highest rates in Western states. While we see higher rates of suicide in some states with smaller populations, most Veteran suicides are still in the heaviest populated areas.

The suicide rate among middle-age and older adult Veterans remains high. In 2014, approximately 65 percent of all Veterans who died by suicide were age 50 or older.

After adjusting for differences in age and sex, risk for suicide was 22 percent higher among Veterans when compared to U.S. non-Veteran adults. After adjusting for differences in age, risk for suicide was 19 percent higher among male Veterans when compared to U.S. non-Veteran adult men. After adjusting for differences in age, risk for suicide was 2.5 times higher among female Veterans when compared to U.S. non-Veteran adult women.,,,

This isn't about the benefits the veterans need, it is about putting in place a television personality that can help with elections. Why not just pick someone from RT?

First Larry Kudlow and now Hegseth. Who next? Let's see, how about Michelle Rhee for Secretary of Education? She has had plenty of media experience and savvy. But, alas, she is not a white woman with a size D cup.

March 15, 2018
By Lisa Rein

Fox News personality Pete Hegseth, (click here) a conservative voice on veterans’ policy, has emerged as a leading candidate to replace embattled Veterans Affairs Secretary David Shulkin, who has fallen from favor with the Trump administration, according to people with knowledge of the matter.

It is easy to defeat Russia, put people back to work, including protecting our nukes.

Sorry to burst everyone's bubble, but, for years I have been saying, "There is no such thing as a secure internet." Cyber has exposed the USA national security as it never has been exposed before. Put people back to work and GET OFF LINE!

Make sure the people put back to work aren't Russian operatives, too. I think it is called a background check. When it comes to sensitive areas of the infrastructure make sure the people responsible of it are definitely responsible people. It is easy to defeat Russia's attacks on the USA.

March 16, 2018
By Dustin Volz and Timothy Gardner

Washington (Reuters) - The Trump administration (click here) on Thursday blamed the Russian government for a campaign of cyber attacks stretching back at least two years that targeted the U.S. power grid, marking the first time the United States has publicly accused Moscow of hacking into American energy infrastructure....

The USA is very lucky in that "the old guys" are still around and in retirement. ASK, don't offer, for them to come back and WRITE infrastructure plans the way they remember them. If the OLD BOOKS are around, then all the better, but, put it back together with an offline capacity the way it used to be.

Call in the old operators and managers as consultants. It is just that important.

It doesn't mean the USA has to go back to coal fired boilers either.

There is no such thing as a secure internet.

Here is the secret pass code: Ready?

Edward Snowden

He should have been given amnesty and brought home a long time ago, to run a department exclusively his to promote responsible citizenship.

Link: (click here)

The drug crisis has two fronts.

The domestic front:

March 16, 2018
By Natasha Vaughn

Albany -- The number of opioid overdose deaths (click here) in New York surged again, growing 29 percent between 2015 and 2016, a report Thursday showed.

The Rockefeller Institute of Government reviewed data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, finding growth in deaths in New York.

The year-over-year increase was the largest in six years, the think tank said.

"The data continue to show that New York's opioid crisis is deepening, despite well-intentioned interventions at every level of government," Jim Malatras, president of the group, said in a statement.

"This will not come as a shock to anyone on the frontlines of the crisis.”...

The country can't continue to move at a snails pass regarding this epidemic. 

March 15, 2018
By Martha Bebinger

Mady Ohlman, who lives near Boston and has been sober for more than four years, says many drug users hit a point when the disease and the pursuit of illegal drugs crushes the will to live.

..."You realize getting clean would be a lot of work," (click here) Ohlman says, her voice rising. "And you realize dying would be a lot less painful. You also feel like you'll be doing everyone else a favor if you die."

Ohlman, who has now been sober for more than four years, says many drug users hit the same point, when the disease and the pursuit of illegal drugs crushes their will to live. Ohlman is among at least 40 percent of active drug users who wrestle with depression, anxiety or another mental health issue that increases the risk of suicide....

And the foreign front:

Location:  Playa del Carmen, Mexico (click here)

Event: On March 7, the U.S. Embassy in Mexico City received information about a security threat in Playa del Carmen, Quintana Roo, Mexico. Effective immediately, U.S. Government employees are prohibited from traveling to Playa del Carmen until further notice. The U.S. Consular Agency in Playa del Carmen will be closed until further notice....

Alcopulco, once a vibrant and global attraction for tourism is basically abandoned. The encroaching poverty is profound and the drug cartels rule the cities in Mexico. One could say with so many tourist areas abandoned due to danger, Mexico has lost it's sovereignty to the drug cartels.

When drug cartels rule the land there is profound poverty among the people due to the lack of any viable economy. In rehabilitating the country's best economic areas should not be difficult if the drug cartels are removed from the land. That is a military assault. There is no other way of doing it. The problem with any military operation are citizen casualties.

Mexico is growing in tragedy. The wall at the southern border is not going to solve the problem. With advancing cartel presence in Mexico, the coastal USA is more or less their next target.

The US decision in avoiding a once Mexican tourist area is making global news. The decision occurred after a near terrorist level explosion. This is the "Gulf News."

March 9, 2018

Mexico City: Citing a new security threat (click here) in Mexico’s Caribbean beach resort of Playa del Carmen, the US government is prohibiting its employees from travelling there, marking another blow to the battered reputations of the country’s most popular tourist hubs.

The US travel ban was issued late on Wednesday and was later cited by the Canadian government in its own warning. While the travel ban only applies to government employees, the US Embassy said Americans should consider the security threat, which it did not specify, before travelling to the area.

Playa del Carmen is located about 76km south of Mexico’s top beach destination, Cancun, part of a long strip of white sand beach-front resorts that attracts international tourists.

Late last month, an explosion on a ferry docked at a Playa del Carmen pier injured 25, including several US citizens....

The Miami bridge collapse was an avoidable tragedy. I don't know any such structure that weighs that much. This was a pedestrian bridge. How can a pedestrian bridge weigh that much? Then add wall to wall people on top of the bridge with bicycles and strollers or any other method of travel used by pedestrians and realize the real weight of that bridge. it's ridiculous. It is also ridiculous the traffic wasn't rerouted to install the bridge and there is gross negligence.

I consider the scene horrific.

I find the entire tragedy avoidable. I want to see the inspection reports that allowed it to be used. I don't think the so-called technology is new or innovative. It reminds me of "lift slab construction."

The only way public planners can avoid this type of structure is to invoke standards AND design allowed to exist in a city. Local planners need to have effect city engineers that can provide designs proven to be safe.

There is a lot wrong here. I am sorry it wasn't picked up before the public and it's spending occurred.

Sympathies to all victim's families and friends. This is horrible. Completely horrible that could have been prevented as so many levels.

A new wrinkle in proving rape.

Even judges were alarmed by the grand jury decision. The idea an accusation could be dismissed by a polygraph is not the usual practice.

The accuser should have had the opportunity to take a polygraph as well.

March 8, 2018

By Jayne O'Donnell

...The grand jury (click here) that declined to indict a former Cleveland Clinic surgeon accused of anal rape was given the results of a polygraph the doctor passed, which is so rare that it could justify releasing the proceeding's transcripts, according to Cuyahoga County Judge Michael Donnelly.

The Ohio Supreme Court adopted a new rule to promote transparency where transcripts can be obtained when the public's interest to know outweighs grand jury secrecy. Donnelly says he's never heard of polygraph evidence being introduced by a defendant in a grand jury proceeding in his 25 years in the legal profession.

Judges in this county, which includes Cleveland, preside over grand juries on a rotating basis. 

"The science behind polygraphs is suspect," says Donnelly. "That’s why it’s not admissible in court."

In very rare cases, parties will agree to allow such evidence at trial, but he says he has never heard of it being presented by a defendant in a grand jury proceeding, he says...

The Irish have a wonderful way of deciding elections and religion, its personal.

I am a little surprised the Irish Prime Minister even accepted a closed door meeting. He should have a member of the staff assist him with the meeting. I think this borders on harassment of one kind or another. Vice President Pence needs to behave himself.

March 15, 2018
By Dwight Adams

Last year, (click here) the Irish prime minister was welcomed by the U.S. president and vice president with open arms — and with open coverage by reporters — ahead of the annual St. Patrick's Day festivities.

But this year, Vice President Mike Pence's breakfast with new Irish Prime Minister Leo Varadkar will be closed to the media — at the request of the vice president. In a departure from the recent past, reporters were told Friday's event to be attended by Pence and Varadkar will be private and the media won't be invited....

Of course, one never knows what will happen next in the Trump administration. It isn't like Trump restrains from his own personal business. I have to wonder what leverage Trump used to receive such a strong and swift reaction from the Prime Minister.

I don't know what Prime Minister Varadkar calls it in Ireland, but, in the USA when a President of the United States of America asks for a personal favor other than perhaps looking for a handkerchief, it is called corruption.

This level of corruption seems to span the entire Trump presidency. I don't think this administration can carry any event out with official fervor and honesty. Closed door meetings after the Prime Minister already shared the same space with Pence at a luncheon (I am assuming he was at the luncheon) and now Trump is demanding favors from the Prime Minister for his own business dealings. There is plenty of ground for ethical sanctions and impeachment, whichever the Ryan-McConnell Congress feels is not too taxing for them.

How much was in the envelope you tucked in your pocket, Leo?

Another pause in the handshake. This is getting to be iconic with Trump. No one wants to shake the man's hand. Maybe his hands are too small.

Where are the Shamrocks? We always get to see the Shamrocks every year. Trump doesn't like being upstaged by a plant?

March 15, 2018
By Phillip Ryan

U.S. President Donald Trump welcomes Ireland's Prime Minister (Taoiseach) Leo Varadkar in the Oval Office of the White House in Washington, U.S., March 15, 2018. Reuters: Kevin Lamarque

Taoiseach Leo Varadkar (click here) is under increasing pressure to explain the details of a call he made on behalf of Donald Trump to a local authority over a proposal to build a wind farm near the businessman's golf course in Doonbeg, Co Clare.

Speaking on Capitol Hill in Washington, Mr Varadkar recounted how Mr Trump personally called his office four years ago to ask for his assistance....

...He said there was “no doubt” the Taoiseach “exercised undue influence and undermined due process with his intervention”.

“It is a shocking error of judgment. Clare County Council now need to outline who the Minister contacted and whether there is a record of what was said,” he said....

...In a statement, Michael Clohessy, director of Clare Coastal Wind Power ltd - who submitted the proposal for the plan - said the company are "disappointed" at the statement made by the Taoiseach today.

"We are disappointed at the admission by a Taoiseach that he interfered in the planning process regarding the planning application for our proposed wind farm in west Clare," he said.

"We at all times acted with integrity and in good faith but it now appears that we were not on a level playing field. We will be reviewing this situation over the coming days"

A spokesman for the Taoiseach has sought to play down Mr Varadkar's intervention on behalf of President Trump....

The North Carolina Oyster had the same problem. Duke University conducted a survey of different types of oysters that could be used in the waterways of the state to return a viable livelihood for fisherman of oysters in the state. Duke found the only oyster that did well in the North Carolina waters without problems of disease, was the native oyster. Silt was the issue. The waterways weren't maintained and the silt was causing a severe drop in oyster populations.

...The Doonbeg River catchment (click here) already has many pressures, such as agricultural and forestry activities. The river is also subject to dredging and other impacts such as illegal bridge construction and fisheries “development” works. It is certainly feasible that a wind energy development in this catchment, and with associated mitigation, could actually improve conditions for Freshwater Pearl Mussels. Often you will find that particular wind farm sites are already a source of silt into a Freshwater Pearl Mussel catchment, and that the implementation of erosion and sediment control measures on the site could potentially contribute to the rehabilitation of a catchment for this species. Lands acquired or leased by wind farm developers present opportunities to implement measures to improve water quality in downstream areas....

In the case of the North Carolina oyster, Duke scientists recommended elevated oyster beds to allow for a healthy water environment for the NC oyster. As a consequence citizen began to hang oyster cages under their docks to increase the populations. And it works. As a matter of fact it worked so well in North Carolina other states, including Maryland, now use the technique. (click here)

I am not familiar with the Doonbeg River, but, I do know the UK has a first rate marine science division that monitors all sorts of marine wildlife including seals. I am fairly confident they would never turn away from collaborating with Irish scientists to improve the waterways and marine life, freshwater or otherwise. That is the kind of advice I would expect from the USA President to assist Ireland to clean up it's waterways and improve it's energy status at the same time.

The Trump Organization seems to ignore the vital role it can play in Ireland proving ecosystem vigilance with such projects. Golf courses use grass and sedges and all sorts of native plants to enhance the course. That is all good conservation. The woodlands affiliated with a golf course can also provide habitat.

I don't hate golf courses when they are appropriate, but, it hardly seems like a good business practice to leave the very river that is supposed to be so scenic plagued with pollution and endangered species if it all can be improved.