Beltway Insider: Obama, G7 Meet; Hillary Kicks Off Campaign; Rachel Dolezal; Jurassic World Rules

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President Obama attended the G7 Summit where the nations present affirmed a uniformed approached to key issues effecting all countries, including the recovery process of the economic recession, the direction of the war on ISIS and sanctions on Russia.

According to Gallup, President Obama's job approval, over the past week, decreased one percentage point to 45% of those polled who approve of his effectiveness as President and those who disapprove of his effectiveness as President decreased one percentage point to 50%.

Obama, G7 Partners and Bi-lats

President Obama, recently returned from the G7 Summit, the leadership meeting for the seven advanced industrialized nations, hosted by German Chancellor Angela Merkel, in the Bavaria region of Germany, where Beer, Brats and Bi-laterals were the order of the day.

Obama, a Chicago native, remarked how much his hometown owed the region as no respectable tailgate party would be complete without two of the three.

As The Summit was hosted by Merkel, she made the decision to exclude Russian President Vladimir Putin who has now been expelled for the last two years of the informal world leaders club.  

"The G7 and former G8 group has always viewed itself as a community of values," Merkel told Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung newspaper in an interview published on January 15, 2015 and cited by Reuters.

G7 Declarations

The leadership Summit produced and reaffirmed position across the board on several key issues. The first, which was evident heading into the summit, is the continued sanctions against Russia and President Vladimir Putin.

"The annexation of Crimea, which is a blatant violation of the principles of international law, and the events in eastern Ukraine are serious violations of these common values," said Chancellor Merkel in a January 15, 2015 interview cited by Reuters.

"As we've seen again in recent days, Russian forces continue to operate in eastern Ukraine, violating Ukraine's sovereignty and territorial integrity.  This is now the second year in a row that the G7 has met without Russia, another example of Russia's isolation, and every member of the G7 continues to maintain sanctions on Russia for its aggression against Ukraine," President Obama added.

The Russian economy is severely weakened and as Putin maintains military presence in the Ukraine the people of Russian and the economy are what will suffer.

Counter-terrorism and ISIS/ISIL

The Islamic state of Syria and Iraq, ISIS/ISIL, was also discussed and according to the President all nations a have agreed on review the strategies employed against the terrorist organization.

AS the President has stated repeatedly and now again, ISIS is continuing to be deconstructed. Daily, as a result of coalition partners, Iraqi military and airstrikes, the dominance of ISIS/ISIL is slowing eroding.

Obama stated the G7 determined key measures in the fight against the insidious infestation of this organization that were working and others were not. In a briefing with reporters the President stated of all the issues training of Iraqi military and soldiers needed in the ground fight is not working quickly enough.

"We're reviewing a range of plans for how we might essentially accelerating the number of Iraqi forces that are properly trained and equipped and have a focused strategy and good leadership.  When a finalized plan is presented to me by the Pentagon, then I will share it with the American people," Obama said.

The counter-terrorism effort is not limited to ISIS/ISIL it would be an easier effort if it were. Unfortunately, pockets of terrorist rise frequently among the disenfranchised and discriminated and indoctrinated which is what the world is witnessing in the northern regions of Africa were Boko Harum continues it reign of terror.

Global Pandemic Preparation and Control

In order to counter any advancement of a global pandemic preparation and control remains a key initiative of the G7.

Ebola, although contained in West Africa, remains the number one concern of world health and services agencies.

With the recent scare in the United States, and through unknown contagion limitation the spread of the disease was clearly less than any person could have anticipated. For some unknown reason the spread and threat of Ebola remains concentrated in Africa.

That fact does not negate the need for global measure to be taken to combat the spread of the disease of which all nations in the G7 have agreed.

Hillary Clinton Holds First Presidential Campaign Rally

Hillary Clinton, officially kicking off her 2016 Presidential Campaign, addressed a cheering, welcoming overflowing democratic crowd on New York's Roosevelt Island in the shadow of the Statue of Liberty, under a brilliant blue sky, as supporters of the former first lady cheered as if the election were yesterday.

Clinton, who has lived in the political public eye for decades is no stranger to the campaign trail nor are her politics. She is democratic, pro women, and pro America.

Perfectly coiffed, not that any newspaper would comment if a male candidate arrived disheveled, she appeared rested and ready for the challenge.

Her flag waving constituents ready for daunting task of converting the undecided over the next 16 months began the evangelization of America as "Hillary For President" and "Are You Ready For Hillary 2016" signs, buttons, t-shirt were the wardrobe choice of the day.

The end goal for the estimated overflowing crowd of more than 5,500 is clear come November 2016 Hillary Clinton will be President of the United States.

Clinton comes with the baggage of political career. The hot button issues that will surely haunt the former Secretary of State will be the attack on the embassy in Benghazi Libya, which left Ambassador J. Christopher Stevens murdered and two other Americans also killed in the terrorist attack on the anniversary of Al-Qaida's attack on the World Trade Center and Pentagon.

Mrs. Clinton has repeatedly taken full responsibility for the breech in security. The subsequent fall out which occurred six weeks before the general election in November 2012, left the former Secretary of State quietly playing the martyr to the greater good and the reelection of Barack Obama.

Clinton, however, may have pinned herself down with little room for escape as her political aspirations now in full swing, will most definitely bring this foreign policy failure to the forefront. Sorry, Mrs. Clinton, sorry isn't an excuse. The facts have failed to support any further actions and clearly no criminal action.

Email-gate is a smoke screen to blind the public. Photographed repeatedly with her blackberry in hand, she did not hide the fact the she used the berry and with that her personal email. Her documents have been turned over. The puff of hope for scandal was quickly snuffed out.

Other issues, which may have been buried, as this election promises to be a mud and slug fest will certainly be thrown about including Whitewater, Monica Lewinsky and the many scandals that touched the Clinton presidency.

Staying clear of the trenches, Clinton spoke a call to arms message to the crowd with solid one-liners and tag lines that will resonate with the jaded and hopeful.

Unable to distance herself from her age, which will certainly be a factor, as Mrs. Clinton will be 69 by January 2017. She said, "I may not be the youngest candidate in this race, but I will be the youngest woman president in the history of the United States."

Her message today is one of inclusiveness, pinpointing key policies and practices of the GOP candidates that excludes members of society.

She is a supporter of Gay Rights, of freedom for all, not simply those who subscribe to singular views of marriage. She is also a supporter of the political system that has made her a household name.

Reaching across demographic lines to the disenfranchised and those who may not believe any party represent them, their lives or lifestyle, Clinton said, "Republicans have turned their backs on Gay People who love each other."

She is pro-choice, a women's right to choose which really stems from a personal choice over health care issues, although Mrs. Clinton, raised in the Roe v. Wade era, prior to a generation of women understanding personal health care issues are their own, believed that women had the right to determine personal medical care choices.

Clinton also spoke of economic sustainability for all; not simply the few. She has said she will fight for all; not simply the few who can line her pocket today or the big money donors.

The economic divided between the wealthiest Americans and the rest of the population is quickly becoming a singular issue not hidden in the rhetoric of economic freedom or Americans wealth.

The wealth of the nation is simply more than the few; the wealth of the nation is more than money and Clinton has said she intends to fight for to close the financial gap between the 1% and the 99%.

Her views on some issues, as most do, may have become polarized over the years and is still able to address the masses kindling hope. She bills herself as a fighter and had dedicated her campaign to "everyone who has been knocked down but refused to be knocked out."

She listed many Domestic agenda issues and policies she wants to push through if she is elected president. Although she didn't purpose an exact plan to achieve the lofty changes so all can benefit and thrive.

Under the first Clinton Presidency, Mrs. Clinton sat on the Healthcare committee to hammer out policy for Universal Healthcare, a precursor to the Affordable Care Act. She is dedicated to the people of the United States.

Not speaking on immigration was as much a statement as any. The evolving hot button issue has undergone so many collective changes, it too has become a singular issue divided by countries, legalities, humanitarian and political persecution and the ever present Border Kids issue.

Immigration stands to be the single issue that could trip up the Clinton Campaign.

On this day however, with the beautiful azure blue sky in the background, Mrs. Clinton appeared in full control, ready, charged and confident.

For those who traveled to the small harbor island, in the home state that resoundingly elected Mrs. Clinton Senator, heard what promises to be the first of many speeches to large and small, big cities, small towns, pit stops, lunch stops and bus stops as the Clinton Machine gears up once again for the push to elect a President.

Vice-President To Resume Duties

Vice President Joseph Biden has resumed his full schedule less than one week after burying his oldest son, Beau, who passed away after a courageous battle with brain cancer.

Working on an abbreviated scheduled throughout May and June, Biden has continued to support President Obama attending the Presidential Daily Brief, weekly working lunches and bi-laterals.

Although Biden has recently reduced his scheduled, he has maintained leadership and guidance over the Ukraine/Russia conflict speaking frequently with Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko as the two leaders continue to deal with the Russia's violations of territorial sovereignty.

Additionally he remained active during the GCC, Gulf Cooperation Council, Camp David Summit.

Rachel Dolezal

Rachel Dolezal, the Spokane Head of NAACP, has been outed as of all things a white female. For years, Dolezal has for all intents and public purposes lived the life of a light skinned African American female fighting for people of color hoping to rid the world of discrimination and disenfranchisement.

So obviously the issue isn't the work she's done, as her effort has been lauded and applauded. The issues is the lie, which when it began to unravel, has unfortunately exposed Ms. Dolezal as a serial liar.

Family members, which all agree, are in some level of estrangement with unresolved disgruntled feelings stemming from legal or financial issues. No one is really discussing the reasons behind the public outing which could be simply hatred or animosity.

Engaging in a Facebook discussion this afternoon the following was a response to Susan Fales-Hill, a noted Harvard graduate and seen as one of the 100 most influential African American females in the nation. I am fortunate to be able to voice my opinion in a forum that crosses race lines and my "devil's advocate" approach is met with thought and humor I hope and clearly understood as debate and discussion which furthers change.

"Rachel will now be seen as a thief, someone who stole an identity to advance a personal cause, no matter the good she has done. Her lies, embellishments and fabrications, will forever be seen as attempts tostop the black race from advancing to pinnacle positions, even in this age of Obama. Walking the walk, publicly, and at home, privately what walk does she walk then?

Has she been African-ized? Sequestered, like well-known African talent and others, who have reached the pinnacles in predominately white fields to be kept from full acclimation to a "white" life? I know women, self-confessed BAP's who say they will never marry black men or black again. Race is still a divisive issue in life, among those who have attained a level of social, economic and intellectual affluence and more so for those who haven't. Understanding disenfranchisement or discrimination isn't a race issue although many would say it is predominately a race issue and the only possible path to understanding is acclimation. I guess I'm reminded of Langston Hughes as this debate rages."

Dinosaurs Rule

Steven Spielberg may not have known the Jurassic Park franchise would, after more than two decades, become a global phenomenon again for the fourth time, after three solid box office winners from the Michael Crichton novel.

Jurassic World, the fourth film in the series, may have at one time during development thought of as the punctuation on a lucrative franchise venture.

Naysayers who said the film lacked the Spielberg magic, who served as the film's Executive Producer, have been left in the dust as Jurassic World, the story of a fully realized genetically replicated and populated theme park, roared past all global records for box office openings exploding toward a half a billion dollar worldwide global opening weekend draw.

With all indicators pointing to a final weekend push Jurassic World will devour both competition and box office records with tallies expected at $511.8m total making it the number one box office opening of all time.

Box Office predictions Sunday put Jurassic World at $204.6m domestically, just shy of the $207m record holder The Avengers, from Marvel, who also holds the third spot at $191m with the Avengers: The Age of Ultron.

After the final tally, Jurassic World stomped the competition with a record setting $208.8million dollar gross bring the international total to $524.1million. A record smashing take especially for a standard three day weekend.

The only variable in all analysts' predictions that cannot be pinpointed to an exactness is of course the fickle public's taste for fantasy.

Jurassic World, for Spielberg and company, may be closed and somehow, sometime there is a good bet in the near future, Jurassic fantasy lovers will be again be hearing the roar of the T-Rex.

 

 

For more information on President Barack Obama: www.whitehouse.gov

Sources: Whitehouse.org, Wikipedia.com