Kim Jung Un appears to be a radically different North Korean leader. I don't recall the North Korean palace being treated similarly as the White House. The young North Korean leader is receiving diplomats at his residence in a fashion not familiar to the world.
I think Dennis Rodman has been to the palace, but, never any American diplomats. This is a different world. It is moving faster than is traditionally thought of as "advantageous" to a good outcome.
Kim Jong Un is beginning to become a world traveler. Now, he receives an invitation to Russia. The paradigm is quickly changing. Can the rest of the world keep up?
Sunday, June 10, 2018
The G7 was the first time since Trump declared war on diplomacy that the leaders met.
Iranian President Hassan Rouhani (click here) on Sunday criticised US “unliteralism” in withdrawing from the Iran nuclear deal and said he appreciated efforts by China and Russia to maintain the agreement.
“The US efforts to impose its policies on others are expanding as a threat to all,” Rouhani told the summit of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (Sco), a regional security grouping led by China and Russia where Iran has observer status....
What is Bolton doing in the room? Trump forget his lines? Or did he need an interpreter in more ways then one?
June 10, 2018
Pledges worth nearly $3 billion dollars (click here) to help vulnerable women and girls, including refugees, get an education were announced at a G7 summit on Saturday.
Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, who hosted his fellow leaders at a Quebec resort, called it “the single largest investment in education for women and girls in crisis and conflict situations.”
Canada will provide $300 million of the total....
I think the Iowa Republicans could have it right. It is time for Republicans to depart from the extremist element of the party and find their own message.
Iowa farmers are among the one group of Americans vital to feeding the USA and the world. Climate is paramount to their very success. The USA should be leading on climate, not failing the world.
Knowing Bolton and the fact he never considers climate a priority, the discussion of the importance of US farmland never took place. Fools in a fools paradise is what the US Republican Party has become.
The Democrats need to have a strong message for American farmers. Their position should be well researched and based in reality, not food stamps.
By Austin Cannon
On his way out of Congress, Rep. Trey Gowdy, R-S.C., (click here) told hundreds of Iowa Republicans that they need to deliver their party’s message in the upcoming election at the Central Iowa Expo outside Boone on Saturday.
Even before taking the stage, he received an enthusiastic reception, and at least some attendees lamented his upcoming departure. While he won’t be there anymore, he gave the crowd his take on how to build a conservative movement in the federal government.
Gowdy, (click here) who serves as the chairman of the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, announced in January that he’d be leaving office when his fourth term in the U.S. House of Representatives ends early next year. In announcing his retirement, he joined dozens of other Republicans — including Speaker of the House Paul Ryan of Wisconsin — who are also leaving Congress in 2019.
Iowa Farmland (click here)
And no, he told reporters Saturday, he’s not running for president. He told the media and later the crowd that he appeared at Sen. Joni Ernst’s annual Roast and Ride event because of his friendship for Iowa’s junior senator.
Gowdy’s appearance was a departure from the previous three Roast and Rides, which featured speakers like President Donald Trump (in 2016, before he took office), Vice President Mike Pence (2017) and several of the Republicans running for the 2016 presidential nomination (2015) — people either vying for public office or people already there and planning to stay, not someone like Gowdy....
US Drought Map (click here)
Iowa is considered part of the Midwest and not the High Plains. The cliamte crisis brings with it a new understanding about drought. Included now in drought assessments is "Flash drought" which occurs over a short period of time and not a decade or two.
As the surface of Earth heats, the incidence of evaporation of water increases. There are storms that pass over American land without dropping a single drop of water to the surface. The rain evaporates before it reaches the ground. The rain that does make it to the ground occurs in severe storms and torrential flooding.
...This week, severe drought (D2) was expanded across northwest Missouri, and approximately the eastern half of the moderate drought (D1) area in northern Missouri was expanded slightly southeastward. In Illinois, a north-south oriented, split band of heavy rain (3-6 inches) fell in the Peoria area very early in the drought week, associated with the departing remnants of Alberto. D0 was broadly expanded across a substantial portion of central and eastern Illinois, connecting up with the D0 over southwestern Indiana. This is related to the combination of short-term dryness and 90-degree temperatures, which appear to be causing water stress on corn and soybeans.
Incidentally, the importance of rapid loss of moisture through evaporation has become a very important consideration in early detection of flash drought; hence the increasing reliance upon the Evaporative Demand Drought Index (EDDI). High values of the 2-week EDDI (ED1 to ED3) across the Corn Belt are indicative of significant moisture loss, which must be balanced against any moisture gains that occur through precipitation. It is the interplay between evaporation, high heat, rainfall, soil moisture, and wind speeds that has a significant bearing on accurate drought prediction....
Saturday, June 09, 2018
I apologize to Prime Minnister Trudeau and the other G7 members for the incompetence and crudeness of the USA President Donald Trump.
The world is in a very strange place tonight, due to the continued incompetence of the Executive Branch of the United States of America and the inept US Congress unwilling to impeach an obviously ridiculous US president.
At least no other leader gave into this crude and maniacal man placed into office by Russia.
Today, Ukraine (click here) is moving toward a corruption-free government. That would not be happening if it were up to Donald Trump. If Donald Trump had his way he would be bowing to Putin's will and removing the USA from any alliance that has seen this country through for over two centuries. The French, after all have been the USA's strongest ally, even from the beginning.
President Putin is emboldened by President's Trump's weakness in seeking his approval. (click here). It is unfortunate the World Cup is being held in Russia. One can only hope the athletes will be in good hands after years of being cleansed of corruption within the FIFA organization.
Ukraine has been seeking a peaceful effort with their western border and with Crimea and there should be some progress even without Minsk II being upheld by Russia. Other than discussing political prisoners (click here) there is not much movement with Minsk II to end the hostilities.
It was due to the Russian invasion into Ukraine that lead to eliminating Russia from the G8. That disgrace still lingers today and with Trump tied to Putin in ways no one really understands to date, except his election, it should be no surprise Putin is treated as a Republican crony and treated to corruption by Trump. The crude Trump manner is to verbally brutalize his opponents, except the opponents this time are the USA's allies. At any rate, Trump believes a good brow beating will move his demands forward and in the case of Putin, it is vitally important to him.
I am glad to see Trump is having a hissy fit about the G7 agreement. It is reassuring to know he made no progress. Earth's climate and women's equality are important and to realize Trump might have actually effected change is bone chilling. I thank you all.
June 9. 2018
By Damian Paletta and Anne Gearan
President Trump (click here) said Saturday he has instructed U.S. officials not to sign off on the joint statement from this weekend’s meeting of the Group of Seven industrial nations, blasting Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau for what the president termed “false statements.” Trudeau early Saturday harshly criticized new U.S. tariffs on steel and aluminum from Canada, Mexico and the European Union.
Quebec City — President Trump issued his strongest trade threats to date at the end of his meeting with leaders from the Group of Seven industrial nations, angering foreign heads of state as the summit failed to ease tensions between the United States and its closest allies.
Trump said he had floated the idea of countries dropping all import barriers, saying he would do the same in return. But he warned he could cut off U.S. trade entirely with countries that kept current rules in place, arguing they had taken advantage of previous administrations to take advantage of the United States.
“We’re like the piggy bank that everybody is robbing,” Trump said here at a news conference. “And that ends.”...
At least no other leader gave into this crude and maniacal man placed into office by Russia.
Today, Ukraine (click here) is moving toward a corruption-free government. That would not be happening if it were up to Donald Trump. If Donald Trump had his way he would be bowing to Putin's will and removing the USA from any alliance that has seen this country through for over two centuries. The French, after all have been the USA's strongest ally, even from the beginning.
President Putin is emboldened by President's Trump's weakness in seeking his approval. (click here). It is unfortunate the World Cup is being held in Russia. One can only hope the athletes will be in good hands after years of being cleansed of corruption within the FIFA organization.
Ukraine has been seeking a peaceful effort with their western border and with Crimea and there should be some progress even without Minsk II being upheld by Russia. Other than discussing political prisoners (click here) there is not much movement with Minsk II to end the hostilities.
It was due to the Russian invasion into Ukraine that lead to eliminating Russia from the G8. That disgrace still lingers today and with Trump tied to Putin in ways no one really understands to date, except his election, it should be no surprise Putin is treated as a Republican crony and treated to corruption by Trump. The crude Trump manner is to verbally brutalize his opponents, except the opponents this time are the USA's allies. At any rate, Trump believes a good brow beating will move his demands forward and in the case of Putin, it is vitally important to him.
I am glad to see Trump is having a hissy fit about the G7 agreement. It is reassuring to know he made no progress. Earth's climate and women's equality are important and to realize Trump might have actually effected change is bone chilling. I thank you all.
June 9. 2018
By Damian Paletta and Anne Gearan
President Trump (click here) said Saturday he has instructed U.S. officials not to sign off on the joint statement from this weekend’s meeting of the Group of Seven industrial nations, blasting Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau for what the president termed “false statements.” Trudeau early Saturday harshly criticized new U.S. tariffs on steel and aluminum from Canada, Mexico and the European Union.
Quebec City — President Trump issued his strongest trade threats to date at the end of his meeting with leaders from the Group of Seven industrial nations, angering foreign heads of state as the summit failed to ease tensions between the United States and its closest allies.
Trump said he had floated the idea of countries dropping all import barriers, saying he would do the same in return. But he warned he could cut off U.S. trade entirely with countries that kept current rules in place, arguing they had taken advantage of previous administrations to take advantage of the United States.
“We’re like the piggy bank that everybody is robbing,” Trump said here at a news conference. “And that ends.”...
Flint High School basketball needs a philanthropist to take a sincere interest in their plight.
They don't even have their own court for practice or to host "home court" matches. How many Flint HS students don't even know they have a basketball team? And where are the cheerleaders?
The Flint High School team has all the problems of any basketball team when injuries occur, but, add to that poverty, a city in severe declines and questionable water to drink. Where is the Gatorade when you need it? I know I am not exaggerating to say the team needs more than sponsorship, it needs a philanthropic and generous person to take a real interest in providing a space for them to practice and compete.
The Flint Jaguars lock arms during the national anthem before a game in Davison, Michigan, a nearby rural community on Feb. 18, 2018.
June 8, 2018
By Chris Donovan
The Flint High School team has all the problems of any basketball team when injuries occur, but, add to that poverty, a city in severe declines and questionable water to drink. Where is the Gatorade when you need it? I know I am not exaggerating to say the team needs more than sponsorship, it needs a philanthropic and generous person to take a real interest in providing a space for them to practice and compete.
The Flint Jaguars lock arms during the national anthem before a game in Davison, Michigan, a nearby rural community on Feb. 18, 2018.
June 8, 2018
By Chris Donovan
"This is Flint!” (click here) yelled coach Cory Hightower at halftime during a losing game in the nearby rural community of Davison, Michigan. “Why do you think they get so excited when they dunk on us? Because this is Flint and they are never supposed to beat us. Look at that name on your chest. That’s history.”
On April 3, 2000, three basketball players from Flint, Michigan, nicknamed “The Flintstones” led the Michigan State Spartans to their last national title. The Flintstones — Morris Peterson, Mateen Cleaves and Charlie Bell — competed against each other on three separate Flint high school teams.
Eighteen years later, in 2018, Flint has seen a swift decline in population as the result of an ongoing water and financial crisis. Flint high schools have been closing one by one, and there is now only one high school basketball program left in the city: the Flint Jaguars, the result of Northwestern and Southwestern high schools merging in 2017.
The team’s inaugural season has not been without its challenges. The Jaguars began their season with 14 players and by their last month were down to eight....
...One player, Eddie Tiller, who was kicked off the team for disciplinary reasons, says, “If you can make it in Flint you can make it anywhere. That’s why there are so many great athletes that come out of here. We’re hungry.”...
Friday, June 08, 2018
She rocks the house.
By Ron Fonger
Flint, MI -- A new book (click here) on the Flint water crisis by Dr. Mona Hanna-Attisha has landed on Oprah Winfrey's list of the top books to read this summer.
Oprah.com included "What the Eyes Don't See" on its best-book list, saying it "lays bare the bureaucratic bunk and flat-out injustice at the heart of the environmental disgrace -- revealing with the gripping intrigue of a Grisham thriller ..."
Hanna-Attisha is the crusading Flint pediatrician whose research helped expose the consequences of high levels of lead in city water in 2015 -- a doubling of the percentage of infants and children with above average blood lead levels citywide....
April 21, 2018
By Geri Kelley, Ilene Carter and Sarina Gleason
TIME has named Mona Hanna-Attisha, (click here) director of the Michigan State University and Hurley Children’s Hospital Pediatric Public Health Initiative, to the 2016 TIME 100 — its annual list of the 100 most influential people in the world.
The list, now in its 13th year, recognizes the activism, innovation and achievement of the world’s most influential individuals.
As TIME editor Nancy Gibbs has said of the list in the past, "The TIME 100 is a list of the world's most influential men and women, not its most powerful, though those are not mutually exclusive terms. While power is certain, influence is subtle. As much as this exercise chronicles the achievements of the past year, we also focus on figures whose influence is likely to grow, so we can look around the corner to see what is coming."
“Dr. Mona,” - as many call her, captured the 20th spot in the top 100 list, or 1.1 percent of the vote total, alongside U.S. Sen. Elizabeth Warren, talk show hosts Stephen Colbert and John Oliver and German Chancellor Angela Merkel....
1600 border detainees were sent to federal prison?
Sessions and Trump can get out of the human rights abuses if they simply give them ankle bracelets and send them on their way with their children. Otherwise this is pure insanity. Crossing the US border is a misdemeanor.
The border crossers were here to find work as a day laborer and now housing them in federal prison will cost the US millions. The entire idea of any punitive measures other than deportation is escalating out of control. This is starting to sound like the Nazis. There needs to be international inspectors now. Please.
Jeff Sessions needs to get over the verbal abuse of Donald Trump and get some backbone. These people need to be given a bus ticket to migrant worker housing for harvesting. That is all that needs to be done. Please. If any are known criminals by all means detain them, but, this is getting ridiculous and foolish.
Most Americans don’t realize how detaining people, especially in a federal prison, can escalate out of control. If a border detainee is roughed up by another prisoner and fights back, that goes on their prison record. After a time someone who might mix it up in a bar room brawl on a Saturday night finds themselves with a criminal record and a lengthy stay in prison because he or she defended their pride.
These people do not speak English and will not assimilate into a prison population well. Rikers Island has these issues at times. This is not the way to handle border crossers. Send them on their way.
Trump and Sessions are perpetuating their own problems. This has gotten out of hand and the country is suffering international scrutiny for no reason at all. Border crossers are the price Americans pay for freedom and separating them from their families and putting them in federal prison is not the answer. It never has been. Believe me working as migrant laborers is no picnic and has its own downside. If border crossers stay to work as a migrant laborer, what they left behind is a nightmare. The USA needs to pursue the nightmare they are running from not the people running.
Sessions and Trump can get out of the human rights abuses if they simply give them ankle bracelets and send them on their way with their children. Otherwise this is pure insanity. Crossing the US border is a misdemeanor.
The border crossers were here to find work as a day laborer and now housing them in federal prison will cost the US millions. The entire idea of any punitive measures other than deportation is escalating out of control. This is starting to sound like the Nazis. There needs to be international inspectors now. Please.
Jeff Sessions needs to get over the verbal abuse of Donald Trump and get some backbone. These people need to be given a bus ticket to migrant worker housing for harvesting. That is all that needs to be done. Please. If any are known criminals by all means detain them, but, this is getting ridiculous and foolish.
Most Americans don’t realize how detaining people, especially in a federal prison, can escalate out of control. If a border detainee is roughed up by another prisoner and fights back, that goes on their prison record. After a time someone who might mix it up in a bar room brawl on a Saturday night finds themselves with a criminal record and a lengthy stay in prison because he or she defended their pride.
These people do not speak English and will not assimilate into a prison population well. Rikers Island has these issues at times. This is not the way to handle border crossers. Send them on their way.
Trump and Sessions are perpetuating their own problems. This has gotten out of hand and the country is suffering international scrutiny for no reason at all. Border crossers are the price Americans pay for freedom and separating them from their families and putting them in federal prison is not the answer. It never has been. Believe me working as migrant laborers is no picnic and has its own downside. If border crossers stay to work as a migrant laborer, what they left behind is a nightmare. The USA needs to pursue the nightmare they are running from not the people running.
Thursday, June 07, 2018
Progress and history is being made in Afghanistan.
by Mushtaq Yusufzai, Saphora Smith
Afghan President Ashraf Ghani inspects an honor guard at the presidential palace in Kabul.
Peshwar, Pakistan — The Taliban's top military council (click here) was meeting Thursday to decide whether to accept Afghan President Ashraf Ghani's cease-fire offer, two senior commanders told NBC News.
Ghani announced earlier that government troops would observe a cease-fire beginning on 27 Ramadan, or June 12 on the Western calendar, and last through the Eid al-Fitr holiday, or around June 19. A statement from the president's office said the cease-fire does not include Al Qaeda or the Islamic State.
The group’s leadership "will thoroughly discuss the pros and cons of the cease-fire announcement," said a member of the Taliban council....
The G-7 Summit should prove to be cutting edge and it is held in Canada.
June 7, 2018
The Quebec Treasury Board (click here) has launched a large-scale call for applicants for professional jobs in Quebec’s civil service and is hoping anglophones get aboard the hiring bandwagon.
There are currently 1,500 full and part-time positions available, largely in the Quebec City and Montreal regions as well as others in the regions, including Abitibi-Témiscamingue and Gaspésie—Îles-de-la-Madeleine.
“There’s a hiring blitz. The important thing is we want to be really proactive by using our networks.
The message is ‘we need you in the civil service and it’s an interesting career,’ ” Kathleen Weil, minister responsible for relations with the English-speaking community, said in an interview Thursday.
“We want to get them when they are very young. I have met with school boards and high schools, universities.”...
The Summit
Friday, June 8, 2018
12:30 – 14:00 (click here)
G7 working lunch
- Theme: Economic growth that works for everyone
- Location: Le Point Cardinal, golf clubhouse, Le Manoir Richelieu
- Participants: Leaders and sherpas
- Media: Closed
Saturday, June 9, 2018
I fully expect Ivanka Trump to be in attendance.
08:00 – 09:00
G7 and Gender Equality Advisory Council breakfast
- Location: G7 Outreach Meeting Room, Le Manoir Richelieu
- Participants: Leaders, sherpas and council members
- Media: Photo opportunity
09:30 – 10:30
G7 working session
- Theme: Gender equality and women’s empowerment
- Location: G7 Summit Room,Le Manoir Richelieu
- Participants: Leaders and Sherpas
- Media: Photo opportunity
The climate crisis is a very big deal for all attending, except the USA. So, expect the Trump crowd to seek distraction of one kind or another. Perhaps if Donny is too much for anyone to handle, they will consider making it the G6.
10:45 – 11:45
G7 working session
- Theme: Climate change and clean energy
- Location: G7 Summit Room, Le Manoir Richelieu
- Participants: Leaders and sherpas
- Media: Closed
15:00 – 16:30
G7 working session
- Theme: Economic growth and the future of work
- Location: G7 Summit Room, Le Manoir Richelieu
- Participants: Leaders and Sherpas
- Media: Photo opportunity
18:30 – 20:00
G7 working dinner
- Theme: A more peaceful and secure world
- Location: Black Bear Chalet, La Malbaie
- Participants: Leaders
- Media: Closed
And it looks like there is a Sunday agenda:
12:15 – 13:15
G7 and outreach working session
- Theme: Oceans
- Location: G7 Outreach Meeting Room, Le Manoir Richelieu
- Participants: G7 and outreach leaders, and Sherpas
- Media: Photo opportunity
13:15 – 13:45
G7 and outreach family photograph
- Location: Press theatre, Le Manoir Richelieu
- Participants: G7 and outreach leaders
- Media: Photo opportunity
13:45 – 15:15
G7 and outreach working lunch
- Theme: Oceans
- Location: G7 Outreach Meeting Room, Le Manoir Richelieu
- Participants: G7 and outreach leaders, and Sherpas
- Media: Closed
16:00 – 17:00
Chair’s press conference
- Location: Press theatre, Le Manoir Richelieu
- Participant: Prime Minister of Canada
- Media: Open coverage
Of course, Putin is all bent out of shape that he won't be there, so he is throwing in a special poison to Europe. It is really meant for Ukraine.
June 7, 2018
Anton Troianovski
Moscow — As he watches Europe’s confrontation (click here) with President Trump, Russian President Vladimir Putin appears to be enjoying an “I told you so” moment.
European leaders long ignored his warnings about the dangers of a world dominated by the United States, Putin said Thursday during his nationally broadcast annual call-in show . With Trump’s new metals tariffs, Putin said, Europeans are now finally getting their comeuppance for showing excessive deference to Washington — and getting a taste of the way the United States had long treated Russia.
“In essence, these are sanctions,” Putin said of the tariffs. “What, did they ‘annex Crimea,’ as many of our partners say?”
Putin went on: “Our partners probably thought that these counterproductive policies would never affect them. . . . No one wanted to listen, and no one wanted to do anything to stop these tendencies. Here we are.”
One of the show’s hosts responded, “They got what they deserved.”...
The US oversight committees should consider holding hearings when Australia and the US were on joint operations.
7 June 2018
By Nick McKenzie and Chris Masters
Some members of Australia’s elite special forces (click here) allegedly committed war crimes in Afghanistan amid a “complete lack of accountability” from the military chain of command, a confidential defence inquiry has found.
The report reveals that special forces insiders have confidentially disclosed “unsanctioned and illegal application of violence on operations” by Australian special forces soldiers which extend to a “disregard for human life and dignity”.
...The confidential inquiry also warns that Australia’s national security is being damaged by “major gaps in knowledge” across government about the capability and culture of Special Operations Command, and poor coordination between its two key units, the Special Air Service Regiment and the Commandos....
...Allegations of war crimes are the subject of an investigation by NSW judge Paul Brereton into the activities of Australia’s special forces in Afghanistan between 2001 and 2016. The Brereton investigation was prompted by the Crompvoets report.
Previous efforts to obtain the Crompvoets’ report under FOI laws have been blocked....
By Nick McKenzie and Chris Masters
Some members of Australia’s elite special forces (click here) allegedly committed war crimes in Afghanistan amid a “complete lack of accountability” from the military chain of command, a confidential defence inquiry has found.
The report reveals that special forces insiders have confidentially disclosed “unsanctioned and illegal application of violence on operations” by Australian special forces soldiers which extend to a “disregard for human life and dignity”.
...The confidential inquiry also warns that Australia’s national security is being damaged by “major gaps in knowledge” across government about the capability and culture of Special Operations Command, and poor coordination between its two key units, the Special Air Service Regiment and the Commandos....
...Allegations of war crimes are the subject of an investigation by NSW judge Paul Brereton into the activities of Australia’s special forces in Afghanistan between 2001 and 2016. The Brereton investigation was prompted by the Crompvoets report.
Previous efforts to obtain the Crompvoets’ report under FOI laws have been blocked....
Oklahomans are too afraid of their own political shadow to stand up to Trump.
By Randy Krehbiel
Four Republican candidates (click here) in the 1st Congressional District covered the usual issues — taxes, abortion, guns, immigration — during a Tuesday night forum at Tulsa Tech’s Lemley Campus, but the biggest commotion came near the end, when Danny Stockstill rose to moderator Russell Mills’ invitation to
criticize President Donald Trump.
In truth, Stockstill did not chide Trump so much as he did fellow Republicans who won’t hold the president accountable for his actions, especially toward women.
“We like President Trump because he says what he says and he means what he says,” Stockstill said in response to Mills’ question. “So why are we so afraid to say, ‘There’s no way I want my son to act like (Trump)’?
“If my daughter ever dates a man who treated her like he treats women, I’m going to use my Second Amendment,” Stockstill said. “If I ever find out my son has treated women the way he has, I don’t care how old (my son) is, I’m going to come down on him.
“If we can’t stand up and say out loud, ‘I disagree with President Trump in the way he treats people,’ shame on us.”.
“Shame on you!” shouted a woman near the stage.
Stockstill’s remarks were otherwise met with a scattering of applause, grumbling and silence.
Stockstill was responding to a question Mills had asked of four gubernatorial candidates one night earlier and repeated Tuesday: What did they think of U.S. Sen. James Lankford’s remark that he does not consider Trump a role model for children?...
Trump seems to have this 'thing' with sex offenders, right? He had that staff member that beat two of his former wives (click here) and was dating the communication director. Then the attempted murder guy (click here) was picked up at the White House. I think a lot of this speaks to the 'Don's network' of close advisers. They are on the opposite side of the Law Enforcers Trump states he loves so much.
"Trump Dating" looks like a Caucasian only site as well.
By Avi Selk
Trump.Dating (click here) is an odd site, and not just because it featured a convicted sex offender’s smiling face on its homepage. More on that shortly.
It’s strange in nearly every way a dating site could be strange. Its all-caps slogan — “MAKE DATING GREAT AGAIN! FIND YOUR PRO-TRUMP MATCH TODAY” — may be the least weird thing about it.
The site’s premise, at least, makes some sense: “like-minded people have a far better chance at success in a relationship,” as a news release announcing the site’s launch put it this month. “Users can rest assured every person they are talking to is behind the president, with red, white, and blue blood that flows for America each and every day.”
Nothing wrong with that. Who wants to have a border wall argument over wine? But Trump.Dating’s peculiarities begin to surface with the first mouse click and never quite stop.
...The common denominator among the site’s users is supposed to be that they, unlike most opinion poll respondents, support President Trump. But try to register, and the first thing you’re asked is whether you’re a “Straight Man” or “Straight Woman.” Gay people (let alone bisexual, transgender or queer) simply don’t exist in the menus....
Everyone deserves a second chance, but, the tone of the country is not especially accepting of sexual assault or harassment. It is a tough time for former sex offenders.
Sex offenders do set themselves at odds with society. There is the registry and fear by most parents that child molesters and pedophiles are simply a danger that should not be tolerated, hence, the registry. So, the idea a former sex offender could successfully attract people to a dating site is really out on the extremes as to what is possible.
"Trump Dating" (click here)
February 20, 2018By Sofia Lotto Persio
...The photo (click here) serving as a backdrop to the registration menu portrayed a couple, the man wearing a red “Trump” cap backward and the woman a pink hat reading “Make America Great Again.”
Local North Carolina news website Triad City Beat identified the couple as Barrett Riddleberger, also known as Brett, and Jodi Riddleberger, Greensboro residents who were involved in setting up a Tea Party–inspired Conservatives for Guilford County political action committee (C4GC)....
...Barrett's criminal record then resurfaced a few years later, when the Riddleberger couple was among the plaintiffs in a defamation lawsuit against Greensboro blogger Jeff Martin, who wrote a satirical blog post saying that C4GC's most prominent members included the owners of a strip club and a child sex offender. According to a Greensboro News & Record report of the lawsuit, Barrett had filmed himself having sex with a 15-year-old girl when he was a 25-year-old man....
Then there is the issue of what Trump says and what Trump does. He wrapped himself in the LGBT flag during his campaign, but, once in office turned his back on them.
Now, the LGBTQ community can't even ask a Christian to back a wedding cake. This is America?
Then there is the issue of what Trump says and what Trump does. He wrapped himself in the LGBT flag during his campaign, but, once in office turned his back on them.Now, the LGBTQ community can't even ask a Christian to back a wedding cake. This is America?
More Trump fraud, colluded by FOX News. Now, the FCC should do something about FOX, but, with Trump in the White House FOX becomes his propaganda arm.
By Sarah Fitzpatrick
...The filing Wednesday (click here) alleges that Trump attorney Michael Cohen "hatched a plan" and "colluded" with the adult film actress' lawyer, Keith Davidson, in an attempt to get her to go on Fox News in January and falsely deny she had an affair with Trump more than a decade ago.
Cohen even referred to Davidson as "pal" in one text message attached to the complaint.
The lawsuit against Davidson and Cohen also claims that Trump was aware the two attorneys were communicating and coordinating for his benefit — unbeknownst to Daniels, whose legal name is Stephanie Clifford.
The suit further accuses Davidson of breaking client confidentiality and tipping off Cohen that Clifford was about to switch to a new lawyer, Michael Avenatti, and announce in court papers that she'd had sex with Trump and signed a $130,000 agreement to keep quiet about it just before the 2016 election
"Mr. Davidson abdicated his role as an advocate and fiduciary of his client Ms. Clifford and instead elected to be a puppet for Mr. Cohen and Mr. Trump in order to advance their interests at the expense of Ms. Clifford," the suit says....
"It's the Bomb" Twitter (click here)
Former Mayor Giuliani has stated he doesn't trust a porn star. Well, there are many Americans that don't trust liars either.
June 6, 2018
By Kerry Justich
...The video has Daniels (click here) wearing a black and white tux while walking around a mansion, then stepping out of a car to a sea of loud paparazzi and flashing cameras. Across the screen reads: “Truth can be thought of as just a temporary belief of knowing something in a moment of time until it advances and then changes.”
While the brand — or Daniels herself — has yet to disclose what the inspiration or meaning behind these words are, many on social media have their theories....
I want a bottle. Where can I find it?
June 6, 2018
By Samantha Sasso
...The limited-edition, (click here) gender-neutral scent will be exclusively distributed by It's the Bomb, and is infused with "sensual pheromones." Although the announcement comes devoid of other important details — like when it launches, how much it costs, or what it actually smells like — we do know there are some glorious campaign teasers to go along with it, many of which lend to the assumption that this perfume is inspired by Daniels' legal battle with Trump and his former personal lawyer, Michael Cohen, and her intention to #embracehertruth (which stands as the product launch's tagline)....
Evidently, rewriting history to create a distraction from the real problems of the USA is Trump's specialty.
August 23rd
On this day in 1814, (click here) during the War of 1812 between the United States and England, British troops enter Washington, D.C. and burn the White House in retaliation for the American attack on the city of York in Ontario, Canada, in June 1812.
When the British arrived at the White House, they found that President James Madison and his first lady Dolley had already fled to safety in Maryland. Soldiers reportedly sat down to eat a meal made of leftover food from the White House scullery using White House dishes and silver before ransacking the presidential mansion and setting it ablaze.
According to the White House Historical Society and Dolley’s personal letters, President James Madison had left the White House on August 22 to meet with his generals on the battlefield, just as British troops threatened to enter the capitol. Before leaving, he asked his wife Dolley if she had the “courage or firmness” to wait for his intended return the next day. He asked her to gather important state papers and be prepared to abandon the White House at any moment.
The next day, Dolley and a few servants scanned the horizon with spyglasses waiting for either Madison or the British army to show up. As British troops gathered in the distance, Dolley decided to abandon the couple’s personal belongings and instead saved a full-length portrait of former president George Washington from desecration. Dolley wrote to her sister on the night of August 23 of the difficulty involved in saving the painting. Since the portrait was screwed to the wall, she ordered the frame to be broken and the canvas pulled out and rolled up. Two unidentified “gentlemen from New York” hustled it away for safe-keeping. (Unbeknownst to Dolley the portrait was actually a copy of Gilbert Stuart’s original). The task complete, Dolley wrote “and now, dear sister, I must leave this house, or the retreating army will make me a prisoner in it by filling up the road I am directed to take.” Dolley left the White House and found her husband at their predetermined meeting place in the middle of a thunderstorm....
On this day in 1814, (click here) during the War of 1812 between the United States and England, British troops enter Washington, D.C. and burn the White House in retaliation for the American attack on the city of York in Ontario, Canada, in June 1812.
When the British arrived at the White House, they found that President James Madison and his first lady Dolley had already fled to safety in Maryland. Soldiers reportedly sat down to eat a meal made of leftover food from the White House scullery using White House dishes and silver before ransacking the presidential mansion and setting it ablaze.
According to the White House Historical Society and Dolley’s personal letters, President James Madison had left the White House on August 22 to meet with his generals on the battlefield, just as British troops threatened to enter the capitol. Before leaving, he asked his wife Dolley if she had the “courage or firmness” to wait for his intended return the next day. He asked her to gather important state papers and be prepared to abandon the White House at any moment.
The next day, Dolley and a few servants scanned the horizon with spyglasses waiting for either Madison or the British army to show up. As British troops gathered in the distance, Dolley decided to abandon the couple’s personal belongings and instead saved a full-length portrait of former president George Washington from desecration. Dolley wrote to her sister on the night of August 23 of the difficulty involved in saving the painting. Since the portrait was screwed to the wall, she ordered the frame to be broken and the canvas pulled out and rolled up. Two unidentified “gentlemen from New York” hustled it away for safe-keeping. (Unbeknownst to Dolley the portrait was actually a copy of Gilbert Stuart’s original). The task complete, Dolley wrote “and now, dear sister, I must leave this house, or the retreating army will make me a prisoner in it by filling up the road I am directed to take.” Dolley left the White House and found her husband at their predetermined meeting place in the middle of a thunderstorm....
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