Beltway Insider: Trump/ G7 Meet, China Tariffs, Stock Market Freefall, Amazon Burns, Koch Dies, 2020

President Donald Trump joined G7 world leaders at the annual economic summit hosted by France to discuss global stability, US/Chinese tariffs, Brexit and with Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif arriving and surprising everyone, the escalating US/Iranian tensions.

According to Gallup, President Trump's job approval rating, which was tracked for the two week time period ending August 5, 2019, decreased two percentage points to 42% of those polled who approve of his effectiveness as President and those who disapprove of his effectiveness increased two percentage points to 53%. A slight 3% of the population polled have no opinion. Ratings are calculated bi-monthly.


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G7 Summit Meets in France

Meeting in the South of France President Trump, along with French President Macron, German Chancellor Angela Merkle, Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, newly elected British Prime Minster Boris Johnson, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, and Italian President Sergio Mattarella and outgoing Prime Minister Conte.

The members of the G7 released via twitter the following actions and initiatives which they, as a unified global governing body believe represent the best courses of actions with each member nation-state of the United Nations to move forward toward self-sufficient, toward a greater good and more independent productive nation.

The #G7Biarritz has continued to play its part on the three challenges that have to be resolved in order to ensure the long-term success of the fight against inequality:

 

acting, eliminating gender inequality, by generating international momentum to amend legislation and act tangibly to combat violence and foster economic empowerment. #G7Biarritz

 

acting, defending democracy, ensuring in particular that the digital transition and artificial intelligence serve the empowerment of individuals and foster their rights and freedoms.

 

acting, taking action for peace, against security threats and terrorism, by improving our responses to the crises and conflicts which undermine the foundations of our societies,

 

acting, protecting the climate and biodiversity, by emphasizing the enhancement of climate action ambition and the development of effective coalitions capable of transforming how we produce and consume.

India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi was also invited to attend the summit by French President Macron as a reflection of the relationship the two men share and also a recognition of India presence as a global economy.

President Macron also surprised all by inviting Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif arriving and surprising everyone, the escalating US/Iranian tensions in hopes of addressing and deescalating the tension in the Straights of Hurmuz.

The G7 is the first of three-annual meetings in which the World's leading economics meet to discuss current global economy trends, economic shifts and indicators, address multi-national crisis, and take up unified agenda's to set forth as guides to the other member nation-states.

Trump Proposes Russian Readmission

President Trump had his share of surprises for the members of the G7 proposing the suspended nation be readmitted reunifying the top eight global economies.

Russian has been suspended from the G7, for its illegal annexation of Crimea breaching the sovereignty of the independent Ukraine. Russian essentially fooled the world, hosting the Winter Olympics in the coastal city of Sochi, thus allowing for the build up of military as a precaution against any possible terrorist attack. The morning after the Olympics had ended, Russian Troops rolled across the Crimean Peninsula, a small land mass that joins the two nations, and annexed the seaside village.

The international outcry resulted in Russian's leader, President Vladimir Putin to agree to an election in which the people of Crimea to vote on the possibility of succession. The people, from all accounts voted to leave the sovereignty of the Ukraine and become part of the Soviet Union.

The International community remained vigilant and Putin continued his efforts to destabilize the region supplying military to the eastern borders and creating the potential of a civil war. The Ukraine remained free and held elections as they readied themselves for EU admittance.

Putin and Russian have been suspended from the G7 by unanimous decision since March 24, 2014.


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Trump/China Tariffs

Although on the agenda, the only statements regarding the continuing tariff situation is coming from the White House in which the president has indicated he would continue to combat the unfair trade practices.

Tariffs Trigger Stock Market Free Fall

The New York Dow Jones Stock Exchange went into a free fall this week and finally closed Friday ending a brutal one day fall of 600 points, in what many are calling signs of a weakening economy and 2020 recession.

Looking over the weekly numbers, the Stock Exchange was up and down all week, hitting a high of 26399.11 on Thursday, August 22, just after the opening bell. By Friday, news from the President of an impending increase in tariff against china started a free fall which ended with the market closing for the week down 25518.45 falling 880.66 points in a 24-hour period.

The NASDAQ closed at 7,751.77 with a loss of 239.62 points and the S&P also closed down 2,847.11 losing 75.84 points.

Amazon Rain Forest Fires Set by Arson

Major global news organizations, including Rueters, have begun reporting on a story which links the Amazon Rain Forest fires, which are consuming millions of acres a day, to a recent lawsuit win by an indigenous tribe against Big Oil.

"According to Reuters, the tribe had been battling an on-going court case concerning the selling of sacred Amazonian lands to oil companies. The lands were originally auctioned off and approved to do so by the Ecuadorian government, much to the dismay of the indigenous tribe," the Express.com.uk reported.

In addition to Reuters, social media has erupted with concerned citizens reporting various aspects of the case. The Express explained that while nine nations border the massive Amazon Rain Forest, Ecuador had begun to auction portions of the land off to bolster its sagging economy.

The Waorani Tribe have called the Rain Forest their home for generations. Their simple way of life and dedication to family and the ancestral grounds they call home, have been interrupted by those who desire to drill for oil on as much of the Amazon Rain Forest as possible, as simple minded, without intelligence and simply put, easy targets. It is a classic David and Goliath story.

The court system ruled in July the tribe and not been adequately informed of their rights and granted them more nearly a million acres of land to be protected. Now, the fires rage.

The Goliath thinkers, the Big Oil companies, who have lived a certain way, squashing anything that steps into its path, saw no calculated risk or resistance from the indigenous tribe and believed the political system could be handled easily. Goliath thinkers, who believe the world is theirs, saw no change in years of tried and true practices. Relying on past victories, Goliath thinkers couldn't perceive the change in public opinion which has been repeatedly carried out in courts around the world.

Unfortunately, as Goliath thinks often do when met with defeat, they find another way to exhibit their dominance. For Big Oil, it was burn out the people and the forest will be bare, and nations will need the economic boost.

      

Eturbonews.com reported, "The world is alarmed. Tweets by eTN readers include statements like:

 

When the last tree is cut, the last fish is caught, and the last river is polluted; when to breathe the air is sickening, you will realize, too late, that wealth is not in bank accounts and that you can't eat money.

 

Brazil's President Bolsonaro must answer for this devastation. The Amazon creates over 20% of the world's oxygen and is home to one million Indigenous people.

 

What if Brazil told us to tear down our cities and replant the forests from the 1700s and 1800s and 1900s? Yes, rain forests are vital. Americans could also stop using gasoline and jet fuel.

 

As the vital oxygen-generating rain forest burns, massive amounts of CO2 are released, so this is a double whammy. If the forest is gone, plan on taking one breathless out of each five. Humanity can not allow this to continue. A catastrophic tragedy of the commons.


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Billionaire Conservative David Koch Dies

Billionaire conservative industrialist David Koch died this week after a long battle with cancer, his brother Charles announced. He was 79.

"Twenty-seven years ago, David was diagnosed with advanced prostate cancer and given a grim prognosis of a few years to live. David liked to say that a combination of brilliant doctors, state-of-the-art medications and his own stubbornness kept the cancer at bay. We can all be grateful that it did, because he was able to touch so many more lives as a result," read a statement released from Koch industries.

Loved by many and hated by others, Koch was never one to shy from advancing his beliefs on what elements are necessary to better society. His conservative beliefs, although somewhat abated in his later years, where still difficult for liberals to understand.

"We wish for all to celebrate the life and impact of this most generous and kind man. He believed he had a responsibility to a world that had given him so many opportunities to succeed. David's philanthropic dedication to education, the arts and cancer research will have a lasting impact on innumerable lives - and that we will cherish forever," read the released statement from his wife and children.

He was survived by his wife Julie, children David, Jr., Mary Julia and John, along with his brother and business partner, Charles Koch.

Royals Pictured Not Wearing Seat Belts As 22nd Anniversary of Princess Diana Death Nears

Headlines read, "Kate Middleton Wears Michael Kors to Church" and she looked lovely, however the most important accessory, her seat belt which should have been securely fastened, was shockingly absent.

Prince William and Duchess Kate were photographed accompanying the Queen to church near her Balmoral Estate. William, the heir to the throne was photographed without his seat belt secured as was his wife, Kate.

With the tragic history that surrounds his mother's death, and this the week before the 22nd anniversary of her death, one would have thought her son, the future King of England would have the clarity to understand seat belts save lives when worn and whenever the vehicle is in motion to secure himself and those whom he loves.

Other photographs showed Prince Charles and his wife, Camilla, Duchess of Windsor, wearing their seat belts, Princess Anne and her husband wearing their seat belts, and Prince Edward and his entire family wearing their seat belts. It was difficult to determine from the photograph if Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth was wearing her seat belt, however it appeared as if she were not.

Election 2020: September Debate Requirements Thins Dem Pack

Ten Democratic candidates have qualified for the September 19, 2019 debate scheduled to air on ABC, according to the Democratic National Committee, thinning considerably from the first two debates which both saw two dozen presidential hopefuls.

Many of the candidates have criticized the strict criteria set by the DNC, especially the financial aspect that includes contributions from unique donors. Pundits across the board have also explained reaching the 2% standard poll position threshold, would be easier if a larger number of "approved" media outlets were included.

Essentially there are no approved media outlets west of the Iowa. The National daily media outlets such as The Washington Post and The New York Times clearly have an agenda, which may include supporting a token politician from the fray, and it also handicaps someone like Tulsi Gabbard who has a large following and has made the 2% poll cut, just not on an approved media.

"DNC Chairman Tom Perez defended the criteria, which had doubled from the previous two debates. "We've said this all along, that in the fall we're going to raise the threshold because that's what we always do. You have to demonstrate that you're making progress. And 2% is hardly a high bar in my judgment," Perez said. "You can't win the presidency in the modern era if you can't build relationships with the grassroots."' USA Today reported in June 2019, according to Ballotpedia.


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Qualifying polls are limited to the following organizations and institutions: Associated Press, ABC News, CBS News, CNN, Des Moines Register, Fox News, Monmouth University, NBC News, New York Times, National Public Radio, Quinnipiac University, University of New Hampshire, Wall Street Journal, USA Today, Washington Post, Winthrop University.

The candidates who have already made the cut include frontrunner former Vice President Joe Biden, US Senator (D-NJ) Cory Booker, South Bend Indiana Mayor Pete Buttigieg, former Housing and Urban Secretary Julian Castro, US Senator (D-CA) Kamala Harris, US Senator (D-MN) Amy Klobuchar, former US Representative for Texas 16th District Beto O'Rourke, US Senator (I-VT) Bernie Sanders, US Senator (D-MA) Elizabeth Warren, Attorney and Author Andrew Yang.

Those who are still in the fray include Hawaiian Representative Tulsi Gabbard, billionaire investor Tom Steyer, each have fulfilled half of the criteria.

The list of those who have not and are not expected to qualify include current mayor of New York City Bill De Blasio, current New York State Senator Kristen Gillibrand, Author Marianne Williamson, Colorado Senator Michael Bennet, Montana Governor Steve Bullock, former US Representative John Delaney, Florida Mayor Wayne Messam, US Representative Tim Ryan

For more information on President Donald Trump www.whitehouse.gov.

Sources: whitehouse.gov.

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