Beyond the obvious political agenda with American troops and tax dollars, what does Putin and Trump have in mind for the USA?

February 4, 2019
By Matthew S. Schwartz

Updated at 10:30 a.m. ET

An additional 3,750 troops (click here) will be sent to the Southern border to help install wire barriers and monitor crossings, officials said. The new deployment will bring the number of active-duty troops there to around 6,000.

In a tweet on Sunday, President Trump said that "STRONG Border Security" is necessary in the face of "Caravans marching through Mexico and toward our Country."

The announcement of new troops on Sunday comes just days before Trump is expected to discuss border security measures during Tuesday's State of the Union address....

The mass marches to the USA border under Trump have been more than curious. That has never occurred before in the history of the USA. I find all the mess about the USA southern border, including the largest drug haul, very odd. Record numbers of everything. Very odd.

December 20, 2018
By Thomas Gibbons-Neff and Mujib Mashal

Washington — The Trump administration (click here) has ordered the military to start withdrawing roughly 7,000 troops from Afghanistan in the coming months, two defense officials said Thursday, an abrupt shift in the 17-year-old war there and a decision that stunned Afghan officials, who said they had not been briefed on the plans.

President Trump made the decision to pull the troops — about half the number the United States has in Afghanistan now — at the same time he decided to pull American forces out of Syria, one official said.

The announcement came hours after Jim Mattis, the secretary of defense, said that he would resign from his position at the end of February after disagreeing with the president over his approach to policy in the Middle East....

GOP Rep. to Obama: 'You Lie!' (click here for current DACA status - thank you)

Due to federal court orders, (click here) USCIS has resumed accepting requests to renew a grant of deferred action under DACA. USCIS is not accepting requests from individuals who have never before been granted deferred action under DACA. Until further notice, and unless otherwise provided in this guidance, the DACA policy will be operated on the terms in place before it was rescinded on Sept. 5, 2017. For more information, visit Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals: Response to January 2018 Preliminary Injunction.

This film loop proves the disrespect Republicans exhibit for any Democratic leader. It is disgusting and proves to USA enemies the hideous nature of our political system.

“The Eastern Virginia Medical School Board of Visitors, (click here) like the administration, faculty, staff and students of EVMS, are committed to our core values of integrity, collegiality and excellence,” said Rector David A. Arias, Founder of SwimWays. “The Board, like our senior management team, is committed to discovering quickly how unacceptable photos such as these came to be published in the past. Further, we are committed to ensuring that our existing culture is one that would never tolerate such actions today.”

Following yesterday’s announcement of the creation of the external Community Advisory Board, President Richard V. Homan, MD, appointed Gilbert Bland, as Chair of the Community Advisory Group. Mr. Bland is the former national President of the Minority Franchise Association of Burger King Corporation and charter member of its Inclusion Advisory Council. Mr. Bland currently serves as President and CEO of the Urban League of Hampton Roads and as a board member for the Virginia Chamber of Commerce, Sentara Healthcare, and the Hampton Roads Community Foundation. Mr. Bland’s past leadership roles include service on the State Council of Higher Education for Virginia as Chair, the Old Dominion University Board of Visitors, and James Madison University Foundation....

VMI needs to conduct their own investigation to diversity at the university as well. The statements on it's diversity page are a bit pathetic.

Diversity Makes a Difference (click here)

What do we mean when we talk about diversity in college?

Broadly speaking, diversity is the word we use to describe a mixture of individuals and ideas, and the traditions, belief systems and cultures that come with them.

So, what are we striving for when we want to see more diversity in college?

When most students seek diversity on campus, what they are seeking are opportunities to express themselves and find community with others who believe the same way, as well as opportunities to learn from those from different cultures and backgrounds.

Diversity can be promoted by the university in several ways. First, institutions should be making an effort to hire a varied faculty to teach students. But the school should also be doing the best they can to foster substantial interaction between people from different backgrounds. This prevents students and faculty from self-segregating and encourages positive connections....          

I found US House Representative Mike Turner's (click here) response to questions about the thirteen indicted Russians (click here)  in the Mueller Investigation glib, distanced and minimalized. He stated they were bloggers as if they were never a threat. Excuse me, but, those bloggers assisted Donald Trump into office and terrorized a portion of the USA population previous to the 2016 election. Those bloggers helped throw the election to Trump. Maybe Turner actually appreciates the efforts of the KGB directed bloggers.

He was also not worried about sanctions being removed by Trump after the legislature passed them. Is Mike Turner at all concerned for the integrity of the elections in the USA or is more interested in "winning" at any cost as Trump certainly likes to make known.

Obviously, the Republican response to the errant ways of the Trump Administration is to minimize the importance of the federal government and USA Constitution. They need to improve their concern for the country.

Budweiser | Wind Never Felt Better | 2019 Super Bowl Commercial (click here for the vicious hate by the petroleum industry of alternative energy - thank you)

Budweiser won my heart today. I am proud of a Wall Street company. They love the USA. They are heroes. Thank you.

The USA and its loss of status among nations since 2017 in the field of energy production will be featured next week. It can't be blamed on Budweiser. Thank you for your interest.

Commercial Ads 2019 - Coca Cola - A Coke is a Coke - Super Bowl 2019 (click here for Coke's Diversity and Inclusion Policy - thank you)

Coke took the high road and took a risk in backing diversity in a Superbowl Ad. The employees of Coke should hold their heads higher today knowing their company represents the best of America.

I won't be watching the NFL Superbowl. It holds little interest for me knowing it is rigged. But, I respect those that love the sport and find it at the center of their lives at times.

This is a cute story entitled, "Here's a story about some dogs named, Brady," (click here) in respect for their devotion.

Caution in regard to Venezuela.

Putin was just paid $1 trillion in gold for military coverage of the Maduro. Purin wants to control the petroleum assets of Venezuela and dictate the outcomes for countries that depend on Venezuela's petroleum. Putin wants this one bad. Strength Columbia first and then with gathered intelligence seek a way to end the conflict in Venezuela.

Putin and other allies may seek to export small arms to Maduro supporters. Not everyone receiving small arms with be Maduro supporters so the idea a civil war can break out will be ever present.

The best way to end the conflict in Venezuela is to strengthen the region around it, regardless of country. Stronger borders and control of refugees into reasonable camps will begin the process of Russian containment in the region. Rubio has a strong focus on Columbia, so he will be a strong asset for Columbia and the USA.

This is a near border conflict for the USA and kindly recall Russia has signed an agreement with Cuba, so the threat and the desire by Russia is real.

Entering Venezuela directly is a very bad idea. Too many people will be killed and it could explode into a regional war with every country surrounding Venezuela becoming a Russian asset. There is a good approach that will strength the countries and protect people. It is the worst case scenario that needs to be avoided for the stability of the region. The bloodshed has to come from Russia and not anyone else.

Putin practices brinkmanship and sends unsuccessful Russian mercenaries to test the waters, while his spy planes are shot down accidentally. Putin's conventional weapon warfare lacks expertise. His brinkmanship prevents failure in the field and loss of public support for his regime.

The entire circumstance with Venezuela is unfortunate, but, it does exist. The man that opposes Maduro and wants to lead Venezuela is seen in film footage unafraid to be among the people. He is benevolent and brave.

There is some talk that the Venezuelan Generals are not behind Maduro. That may or may not be the case. If they are loyal to the people, there is a real chance of ending all this mess peaceful. Then Venezuela has grounds to recall the $1 trillion in Russian assets back to the country as it backed an illegitimate dictator. When, not if, the change takes place the economic recovery will be vital to bring refugees home and allow the country to establish a lasting peace with a strong economy.

February 2, 2019
By Mariana Zuniga, Anthony Faiola and Rachelle Krygler

Caracas — ­Venezuela’s embattled president, Nicolás Maduro, (click here) faced challenges on multiple fronts Saturday, as massive anti-government rallies choked the streets, a top general defected and the opposition urged European powers to join the international alliance against him.

The dramatic events underscored the pressures mounting on Maduro. They also suggested the strategies ahead for opposition leader Juan Guaidó — an untested 35-year-old industrial engineer — as he tries to expand Maduro’s global isolation and appeals for the support of more Venezuelans.

Guaidó, who heads the opposition-controlled National Assembly, has won the backing of the United States and a host of other nations since declaring Maduro a usurper and himself interim president.

Across the nation, huge numbers of protesters — possibly hundreds of thousands — took to the streets....

Trump knows he panders to White Supremacists for their vote, so he changes horses in midstream.

Donald Trump is playing into Governor Northam's fantasy of making this all go away. It is not going away. There needs to be an investigation of racism at VMI. Northam needs to resign for no other reason in that he is now crippled as a governor burdened with a scandal.

February 3, 2019
By Tom Porter

President Donald Trump in a tweet Saturday (click here) described a picture in which Democrat Virginia Governor Ralph Northam allegedly appears in blackface as “unforgivable.” 

In a medical school yearbook photo that emerged Friday, one man, alleged to be Northam, appears in blackface, while another wears a KKK hood. 

Northam initially admitted to being one of the men in the photo, then on Saturday withdrew his admission, and claimed that allegations he was in the photo were not true.

Trump on Saturday criticized Northam for the conflicting statements, and for recent comments about a Virginia abortion bill that Northam's critics claim defended infanticide. 

“Democrat Governor Ralph Northam of Virginia just stated, “I believe that I am not either of the people in that photo.” This was 24 hours after apologizing for appearing in the picture and after making the most horrible statement on “super” late term abortion. Unforgivable!” tweeted the president....

Trump's pivot into late term abortion is a strategy by Virginia Republicans to change the topics of morality within the Virginia political dialogue. Somehow, late term abortion to save a woman's life is infanticide in the minds of the Virginia Republican Party. That is a sexist statement which nullifies the life of a woman in favor of a fetus. This is once again the twisted idiocy of the Republican dialogue. Somehow find a way to birth a baby while it's mother will die and then grow up without a mother. It is insanity and warped values of human life.

February 1, 2019

Culpepper - Authorities say a Virginia pregnancy center (click here) has been vandalized days after a debate over late-term abortion in the state capital sparked controversy nationwide.

Police said in a statement that the vandalism reported early Friday at the Pregnancy Center of Culpeper included spray-painted messages on the building and signs and a broken window. Images from the scene show the messages include "YOU HATE WOMEN" and "FAKE."

The center is one of the Pregnancy Centers of Central Virginia. The Christian nonprofit's website says it is "dedicated to women and families facing unplanned pregnancy" and doesn't perform or refer for abortions. President and COO DJ Carter says they haven't experienced vandalism before and he's unsure of the vandal's motivation. The organization is changing its name to Thrive Women's Healthcare....

Why are so many people upset with Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez?

Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez is sworn in on the opening day of the 116th Congress at the Capitol in Washington, Thursday, Jan. 3, 2019.

The reason everyone is upset by the newly elected Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez is that she won a Congressional seat away from a long time incumbent Democrat without much money. See, she is the way elections are supposed to work. She put together some information about herself and went door to door to speak to the residents in her district, introduced herself, asked them to vote for her and they did.

She did not have a huge war chest to run ads and send out flyers and the like, she used shoe leather. She is an example of why "Citizens' United" is wrongfully decided. There should be election laws that restrict money in politics to force those seeking election to face the voters. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez is the very essence of the constitutional political theater that should exist with every election.

She is an average American who decided it was time for a change and when she looked around and found no one ready to fill that space, she decided to fill it herself. She is doing a great job. She earned her place in Congress. She worked hard for it and now she is winning the hearts of Americans in her forthright belief in her ability to bring about the change she ran on.

She is a good person. My favorite statement by her is when she commented on a media article that tried to say she was a millionaire and lying to the public because she had some nice clothes in the early days of her office. She said, “If I walked into Congress wearing a sack, they would laugh & take a picture of my backside,” she wrote on Twitter. “If I walk in with my best sale-rack clothes, they laugh & take a picture of my backside. Dark hates light — that’s why you tune it out. Shine bright & keep it pushing.”

She is the youngest woman ever elected to Congress and I don't know why that is the case, except, Americans are convinced an election costs enormous amounts of money. The USA Constitution clearly states the minimum age for an elected House of Representative member is 25 years old. By 25 years old most adults have attained an education (In her case, she graduated cum laude from Boston University's College of Arts and Sciences in 2011, majoring in international relations and economics.), knows what the meaning of a dollar is, and has made at least one major purchase in buying a car. So, what does it take to be a Congresswoman other than knowing what life is like for her district and willing to make her vote count for those people? 

When Rep. Ocasio-Cortez hears about a bill regarding international law and decisions, she actually knows where the country is on a map.

She also doesn't seem too engaged in distancing her constituents either (click here). She has a minimal Congressional website and a newsletter. What better than to reach out to constituents in a newsletter? SHE REACHES OUT TO THEM AND DOESN'T EXPECT THEM TO COME LOOKING FOR HER. Something tells me she holds herself accountable to them.

She is a breath of fresh air. She won without big money and she is anchored in doing the best job she can for her constituents while being accountable to them. I do believe that is called a moral character. She takes herself seriously and works hard to prove herself.

Yep. She is a threat.

"An early spring." (click here)

Nothing here exonerates anyone.

February 1, 2019
By Jonathan Lemire and Mary Clare Jalonick

Washington — Senate investigators (click here) have evidence revealing the identities behind mysterious phone calls that Donald Trump Jr. had with blocked numbers during the 2016 presidential campaign, just days before he met with a Russian lawyer promising dirt on Democratic candidate Hillary Clinton.

Democrats have speculated that Trump Jr. was talking to his father, who has denied knowing anything about the controversial Trump Tower meeting with Natalia Veselnitskaya. But according to phone records provided to Congress, Trump Jr. spoke to Howard Lorber, a New York real estate executive, and Brian France, the former chairman of NASCAR, two people familiar with the records told The Associated Press....

Why those people? Endorsements for his father? Donations for the campaign? It only proves further that Don, Jr. was in a pivotal role with the campaign and then he met with Russians.

It would be nice to think this is all very innocent and these phone calls may be, but, the Trumps have shut down their charity for real reasons of impropriety. No one can call them innocent.

The Republican Party has absolutely no right to capitalize on racism with a president stating that both sides of the issue in Charlottesville, Virginia were responsible for the violence and death there. This is a dialogue for the Democrats to have to clearly delineate the past from the present and the future.

Maybe the Republicans need to pass more estate tax laws instead of supporting a president that wants the USA to capitulate it’s leadership to communist Russia, while dismantling the infrastructure of the USA over a stupid border wall.

January 31, 2019
By Dominic Adams

Flint – Congratulations, (click here) people of Flint – you’re living through the coldest Jan. 31 the city has ever seen in recorded history.

The coldest temperature the city recorded on Jan. 31 was -8 degrees in 1963, according to the National Weather Service.

So far on Thursday, Jan. 31, 2019 the temps have dipped to -14.

A record was also broken on Wednesday, Jan. 30.

The record-low, max temperature was 8 degrees and set in 1951.

Flint broke the record for the lowest max temperature when it never got warmer than 2 degrees on Wednesday, the National Weather Service said.

“One important thing was that it was shortly after midnight,” when the record was broken, according to Meterologist Steve Considine. “Throughout the daytime in Flint the temperature never broke zero.”...

January 31, 2019
By Ron Fonger

Flint - Second-shift workers at General Motors' Flint Engine Operations (click here) are heading back to their jobs Thursday, Jan. 31, while other GM facilities in mid-Michigan will remain idled for now.

GM issued a news release Thursday, saying the engine plant -- one of six facilities to shut down in the region on Wednesday, Jan. 30 -- will resume operations, while second-shift employees at Flint Assembly, Flint Metal Center, Flint Tool & Die, Bay City Powertrain and Saginaw Metal Castings Operations remain off the job for the time being.

GM was among auto manufacturers in Michigan to temporarily halt some operations Wednesday in response to a fire at Consumers Energy’s natural gas compressor station north of Detroit.

The fire initially cut the gas flow from the station, putting Consumers' customers at risk of brief service interruptions in subzero temperatures and prompting appeals for conservation to residential and business customers....

This was going on at VMI? Wow. How did he ever get to be Virginia Governor? His credentials from VMI?

This isn't acceptable. It isn't acceptable from a sitting governor or the institute of which he was educated. There is a lot explaining to do and VMI needs to be reviewed for policies that allow this kind of behavior. This is astounding to me. I cannot believe VMI allowed such horrible racism on it's campus. How many minorities have graduated from that university? How many were enrolled with Northam?

What troubles me the more I look at this mess, Virginia was a member of the confederacy during the civil war. As a matter of fact, Richmond was the capital of the confederacy. I believe there is a bigger problem than what appears. This was condoned by a very prestigious military academy in the USA and it has far deeper roots than simply bad taste.

I am worried there is a culture from the past that is still held in esteem at VMI. I find it hard to believe this is simply an outliar from VMI. If it is an outliar and the governor is a real jerk, then it ends with him, but, this appears in VMI's yearbook. Every yearbook has an editorial staff and this staff looked the other way and/or thought it a really great photo. That means it is institutionalized. That is the real issue here. Why was this simply tolerated as boys being boys. This is really surprising.

February 1, 2019

By Marie Albiges and Gordon Rago

Norfolk - A photo from Gov. Ralph Northam’s medical school yearbook (click here) shows him and another person in racist costumes — one wearing blackface and one a Ku Klux Klan robe and hood, though it was not clear which person was the future governor.

The photo, which The Virginian-Pilot obtained a copy of Friday from the Eastern Virginia Medical School library, comes from the 1984 yearbook, the year Northam graduated.

On the half-page set aside for Northam, there is a headshot of him in a jacket and tie, a photo of him in a cowboy hat and boots and a third of him sitting casually on the ground, leaning against a convertible.

The fourth photo on the half-page has two people, one wearing white Ku Klux Klan robes and a hood, the other with his face painted black. The person with the black face is also wearing a white hat, black jacket, white shirt with a bow tie and plaid pants. Both are holding canned drinks....

Kellyann CONway, why did we spend all this money if Trump didn't state it was going to be WALL? (click here for a description of all eight samples - thank you)

There are only two fence samples that provide a see through section. To answer the impatience of Kellyann Conway with the media; I think the use of the word wall is a poorly decided description of what is possible for the American people to provide at the southern border.

BORDER SECURITY is the most descriptive of what is needed at our borders. Border Security is used frequently by Speaker Pelosi when discussing the issues with the USA southern border. Realizing "Border Security" is used by Speaker Pelosi may be why it gets stuck in the throat of Kellyann Conway. 

BORDER SECURITY. This is not a wall, it is a multi-dimensional approach. Mexico will be hard pressed to provide such border DEFENSE for the USA.



The picture above is what the Border Patrol considers important to secure the southern border. That is not a fence. The picture is of TWO see through barriers with an electronically monitored zone between them. There is a paved road leading up to the first barrier on the USA side. A tunnel would work well under that construction. 

It is expensive. It cannot be paid for within the definition of a national emergency. It is very expensive and the electronic zone will require regular patrol in order to prevent vandalism. If the picture is what is needed it will have to be built over time with appropriations dedicated every year. I don't see a massive effort to build the barriers and electronic zone in one single effort. The southern border would have to be assessed and the most dangerous addressed first.

Below is a very successful action by the Border Patrol that stopped 200 pounds of fentanyl from entering the USA for distribution. I hope the arrest of the 26 year old results in a trail to the people who loaded the truck and the lab where it was produced.

This was incredible work. I thank the Border Patrol for their bravery and successful intervention to protect Americans from dying. I believe the transportation of the fentanyl tells the tale that the deaths of Americans due to fentanyl laced heroine are intentional. It is murder, not just drug trafficking.

This discovery occurred at a legal USA crossing. It wasn't found in the desert.

January 31, 2019
By Ida Domingo

Roanoke - Customs and Border Protection officers (click here) said they discovered more than 200 pounds of fentanyl hidden in a floor compartment of a truck loaded with cucumbers.

According to NBC News, they also found 395 pounds of methamphetamine, officials said in a report Thursday.

CBP valued the 254 pounds of fentanyl at $3.5 million and the methamphetamine at $1.1 million.

The drug bust is believed to be the largest in history and is more than twice the size of the apparent previous record of 118 pounds which was found in Nebraska in 2017. 

Authorities say the truck was driven by a 26-year-old man. He was arrested and charged with possessing drugs with intent to distribute. His identity hasn't been released.

CBP says the tractor-trailer was stopped four days ago in Nogales, Arizona when it was trying to enter the U.S. at the southern border.

Michael Humphries, Nogales Area port director, praised his staff and drug-sniffing dog for the record-breaking arrest....

Stone? Roger Stone? The histrionic political hack? Treated roughly? I didn’t see a mark on his Richard Nixon raised arms. 

There is no evidence to back up his whining.

Just as a side note about the cold. I saw a live news broadcast where there was steam coming off the Chicago River. The steam seems counter-intuitive to some. That is water vapor created by the sunlight. That is actual subliming of the ice to water vapor.

When in the Arctic and crossing glaciers while the sun is out, scientists can wear shorts while cross country skiing. Why? it is plenty cold, however, the reflection of the sunlight off the ice heats the air enough to be comfortable in shorts.

Polar vortex: -46C temperatures as Chicago River turns to ice (click here)

I was in northwest Michigan during the winter of 2012-2013 and the Polar Vortex displaced for the first time. A bubble of air came over Traverse City with a temperature of -60 F. I am not saying -46 F is not significant, but, it is 14 degrees warmer than 2013's winter in northwest Michigan.

I always carry a sleeping bag in the car during winter.

No lie. There is one there now. In case of accident by even other people and traffic snares. Snow and drifts that can cause stranding. Three things prudent during severe winter weather; air to breath, contained body heat to stay warm and fluids to drink. Uncertainty can be wicked.

That said, the big talk in the Midwest is “Frost Quakes.” They are a loud “bang” coming from the ground and sometimes buildings. Frost Quakes are caused by freezing water in the ground. Freezing water expands and will disrupt soil around it. In the case of a deep freeze the point at which frozen water disrupts soil structure a loud bang results. What folks, including mayors and governors, need to keep in mind is any damage to anything by the ice won’t necessarily show up until the ice melts.

Frost Quakes are mostly harmless when they occur and primarily take place under ground.

Michael Franti & Spearhead - The Flower (feat. Victoria Canal) (click here for mass shooting archive 2019 - thank you)

December 13, 2018

Gun deaths in America have reached a record high. (click here)

Nearly 40,000 people in the United States died by guns last year, marking the highest number of gun deaths in decades, according to a new analysis of data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s WONDER database....

"Innocent and naive"

To begin that is sexist. I don't care if Trump is talking about men as well as women, but, those words are a chronic word choice to assert his superiority to any other intelligence.

He said the same thing about Saudi Arabia, Brett Kavanaugh and others. "Innocent and naive" is how his white, male base thinks about women. "Father knows best."

When Trump employs those words, he is getting ready to make a "new reality" for the country. Those words PROTECT as well as DISCIPLINES.

When "Father knows best," that means he loves you, but, you have it all wrong and have to accept his wisdom. It is his dictator's voice. It is based in sexism.