Beltway Insider: Trump’s Shocking Successes; RFK; The New Alien Nation; Singapore On; Pols, CA Gov Race; Weinstein

President Donald Trump once again pulled off another unexpected success as the Bureau of Labor statistics have released the recent employment numbers, and while they remain misleading, even, the New York Times admits the numbers are shockingly good.

According to Gallup, President Trump job approval, over the past week, decreased by three percentage points to 40% of those polled who approve of his effectiveness as President and those who disapprove of his effectiveness as President increased by three percentage points to 55%.

Trump’s Shocking Successes

President Trump is enjoying a summer of shocking successes while pundits, political watchers, media and others pause attempting to decipher the signs, both domestically and internationally, into the unusual occurrences, which remain primarily out of the president’s control.

The Bureau of Labor Statistic released the May job numbers last week and admittingly they good. However, they reflect a gradual and progressive drop. Not a bungee freefall from 8.0% last month and in one fell swoop, the President magically made the economy a wonderland of employment.


Beltway Insider: Trump/North Korean Summit: School Shootings: Embassy Clashes: Cuba Flight CU97: Failing VA: Justify Wins


The 223,000 jobs added, is reflective of a similar number of jobs added monthly over the past nine years, from the height of the 2009 Great Recession and the beginning of the Obama Presidency. Unemployment remained cemented at 8% for nearly 40 months until the October 2012 Bureau of Labor Statistic released the September numbers to find employment fell .01%. It was heralded as a solid victory and finally a shift.

From that point forward to this moment the BLS has been a much heralded moment with numbers slowly ticking downward. Which means elected leaders are finally doing the job they were hired to do.

Now we get to the dark side of the numbers. The misleading edge, of course, is the underemployed. Many higher qualified individuals are cloaked behind the simple employed category, without the BLS taking into consideration the fact that for those with two degrees and 100K in student loan debt minimum wage even in cities where it reaches $15.00 per hour is not gainfully employed.

So while the BLS has become a monthly Santa Claus, as Neil Irwin of The New York Times said, [T]he thing to take away from the May numbers is that the United States economy just keeps humming along at a steady pace, putting more people to work and at gradually higher wages.”

Maybe in the utopian moment the President can pass a buy out student loan package when the forgiveness plan qualification is impossible allowing borrowers to simply pay back the loan value.

Singapore

In this idealistic moment attempting to determine why the global hotheads are cooling and suddenly willing to sit politely at a table with the leader of the free world is another point to ponder.

The general belief is that Trump is a wild card. He is not a pigeonholed president with a set reaction playbook. It is impossible to gauge his reactions and with the world leaders who might at one time in the past antagonize the President are more likely to remain silent out of concern, Trump may retaliate with shocking force. Not denouncing the actions in the strongest possible terms. This president may send the mother of all bombs, which he has.

What can we expect out as an outcome from Singapore? In reality dialogue is probably the most expected outcome. An agenda of bullet points are set, as with any of the Global Summits, a three day working round the clock agenda hoping to come to a single point of common ground.

Finding a common ground, the denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula, in Singapore is probably the best this administration can expect and hurdles toward success will continue to arise from the 70 year war, and maybe the inhabitants of these shaky regions will get closer to the oft scoffed at possibility of “World Peace.”

RFK Assassination at 50, His Legacy

It’s been fifty years since Robert F. Kennedy was gunned down in the kitchen of the Ambassador Hotel in Los Angeles. He had just won the California Primary and everyone knew the candidate and campaign was on its way to a second Kennedy Presidency. For one moment, it was perfect, time stood still and the ideals that propelled Jack could be recaptured.

It was jubilant! And in one moment it was equally horrifying. A lone gunman fired three shots into RFK’s head, at point blank range, and the senator fell. America also fell. Bobby’s entourage grabbed the gunman, a Palestinian, a nobody really, no political message, no retaliatory determination, no real interest in American politics, just a nut job with a gun wanting to make a name for himself.

Robert Francis Kennedy died June 6, 1968. Five years after his brother, President John F. Kennedy, was assassinated; and two months after Martin Luther King Jr., died murdered by a single bullet. The fabric that shaped our nation took a crimson turn.

Robert Kennedy who seemed to be deeply and genuinely concerned for the disenfranchised, and those who were marginalized, the forgotten among us left behind many words that ring true through the annals of time, and now still fifty years later, as we survey the land we call America we see through his eyes and hope with his passion, for change.

The Alien Nation Within Our Borders

We again see the effects of an alien nation within our borders. It is not the scourge of illegal immigration, Border Babies and the fight for freedom from those who will call their flight fleeing political persecution.

Today, in every city, not simply Los Angeles, where the warm Southern California temperatures and year round mild climate contribute to the obvious and very visible social problem of homelessness. Many see the problem as an “us” those who have verses “them,” the have nots. The idea of humanity, of concern for the whole of society and not simply the few, seems to have fallen into a deep sleep and with it the social ills that plague society have awakened.

“When you teach a man to hate and fear his brother, when you teach that he is a lesser man because of his color or his beliefs or the policies he pursues, when you teach that those who differ from you threaten your freedom or your job or your family, then you also learn to confront others not as fellow citizens but as enemies, to be met not with cooperation but with conquest; to be subjugated and mastered. We learn, at the last, to look at our brothers as aliens, men with whom we share a city, but not a community; men bound to us in common dwelling, but not in common effort. We learn to share only a common fear, only a common desire to retreat from each other, only a common impulse to meet disagreement with force,” said Robert F. Kennedy.

The talk of “fixing” this problem in itself guarantees the failure of the “solution.” Shaming those with less, will only result in a ultimate rejection of the offerings. Failing to meet the man in his situation, to offer a hand up, and not a hand out, to slowly build a trust relationship with this alien nation within our borders one that sees the society as meaningful, and redeemable.

If reentry is the ultimate goal, then the “middle ground” between street encampments and tent cities must be an community area, without or without, traditional structures, a kibbutz or refugee housing, Natural Disaster FEMA style housing, a communal area, where necessities are provided.

Children are schooled and fed, families are provided addresses, and social services are involved. Regeneration and reentry takes time, and building trust and evaluating anti-social behaviors are a part of the process.

Robert Kennedy also said, “For there is another kind of violence, slower but just as deadly destructive as the shot or the bomb in the night. This is the violence of institutions; indifference and inaction and slow decay. This is the violence that afflicts the poor, that poisons relations between men because their skin has different colors. This is the slow destruction of a child by hunger, and schools without books and homes without heat in the winter. This is the breaking of a man's spirit by denying him the chance to stand as a father and as a man among other men. And this too afflicts us all.”

Each state is responsible for its citizens and with California being the largest state with a budget that places it within the top ten operating economies in the world, the plague of homelessness which the next governor will inherit must be addressed and not in triplicate or by individuals whose employment depends on the response as constituents do not want the typical “shelter” and element in the neighborhood.

                               

Excerpt from the City Club of Cleveland Speech, April 5, 1968

 

Yet we seemingly tolerate a rising level of violence that ignores our common humanity and our claims to civilization alike. We calmly accept newspaper reports of civilian slaughter in far off lands. We glorify killing on movie and television screens and we call it entertainment. We make it easier for men of all shades of sanity to acquire weapons and ammunition that they desire.

 

Too often we honor swagger and bluster and the wielders of force. Too often we excuse those who are willing to build their own lives on the shattered dreams of other human beings. Some Americans who preach nonviolence abroad fail to practice it here at home. Some who accuse others of rioting, and inciting riots, have by their own conduct invited them. Some look for scapegoats; others look for conspiracies. But this much is clear: violence breeds violence; repression breeds retaliation; and only a cleaning of our whole society can remove this sickness from our souls.

 

For there is another kind of violence, slower but just as deadly, destructive as the shot or the bomb in the night. This is the violence of institutions -- indifference, inaction, and decay. This is the violence that afflicts the poor, that poisons relations between men because their skin has different colors. This is a slow destruction of a child by hunger, and schools without books, and homes without heat in the winter. This is the breaking of a man's spirit by denying him the chance to stand as a father and as a man amongst other men.

 

And this too afflicts us all. For when you teach a man to hate and to fear his brother, when you teach that he is a lesser man because of his color or his beliefs or the policies that he pursues, when you teach that those who differ from you threaten your freedom or your job or your home or your family, then you also learn to confront others not as fellow citizens but as enemies -- to be met not with cooperation but with conquest, to be subjugated and to be mastered.

 

We learn, at the last, to look at our brothers as alien, alien men with whom we share a city, but not a community, men bound to us in common dwelling, but not in a common effort. We learn to share only a common fear -- only a common desire to retreat from each other -- only a common impulse to meet disagreement with force.

California Governor Race

California Governor Jerry Brown is entering into what many believe to be the last six months of a long and dedicated pollical career. Two separate cycles Brown was elected to the office of Governor of California and re-elected during each cycle. Undoubtedly he has a depth of knowledge and love for this state.

The ten democratic hopefuls are slugging it out in the primaries to determine which candidate will run lead the democratic ticket. The field of contenders are all accomplished, dedicated and career politicians. The two that rise to the surface, and oddsmakers agree it will be one or the other. Both the former Mayor of one of California’s largest cities, Los Angeles and San Francisco, both politically savvy, seasoned.

The 41st Mayor of Los Angeles, Antonio Villaraigosa, who arguably is the most recognized candidate served from 2005 to 2013. During his bid for LA Mayor formed a grass roots campaign unlike most had seen. With dedicated volunteers he was able to bring the election to the people instead of allowing a community to be overlooked and disenfranchised. His campaign ensured marginalized voter’s were registered and were transported to the polls.

Lieutenant Governor Gavin Newsom is also on the ballot for the opportunity to run in November as the Democratic choice for Governor of California. Newsom is the former Mayor of San Francisco and served the residents of the City by the Bay from 2004 to 2011.

Newsom is a dedicated career politician, progressive and has both the respect of his former constituents in San Francisco and their trust. He won his reelection campaign by 72% of the vote. His support of marriage equality, legalization of marijuana and his aggressive campaign to address the homeless problem. He is a man of ideas and willing to take the steps to initiate them.

However, the California Governor Race is more than two seasoned politicians sparring and comparing records, slinging mud during the highly charged broadcast advertisements, the California Governor race is a math up between North and South.

Both men have baggage, it isn’t that either have escaped the momentary diversions which appear in the paths of the powerful. The issues are which of these two will bring the voice of all the people, the migrant farmworker, the Latino population, singles, same sex couples, those who say California should succeed into six states or at least three and we cant forget San Diego in all this. Or each of the towns that dot the map as we travel North. The needs and voices change, the ideas for betterment change, the expectation of favor from Sacramento change. Tuesday’s vote to determine who will face the GOP challenger is a tough one as both bring the foundation, dedication, devotion, and political career to lead. It’s a tough one to call.

Missouri Governor Resigns

Former Missouri Governor Eric Greitens resigned this week under a cloud of federal and criminal charges which have plagued the embattled leader throughout his tenure.

Greitnes, in the final afternoon of his governorship, issued five pardons, signed 77 new laws and commuted four prison sentences.

Under investigation for sexual assault, Greitnes was also the subject of a federal probe which resulted in several charges including tampering with a computer, manipulating a donor list and two charges stemming from sexual coercion pressuring a colleague into sexual situations.

Lieutenant Governor Mike Parson was sworn into office and become the 57th Governor of Missouri.


Beltway Insider: Trump Nixes Nuke Deal; Iran Deal Redux; Netanyahu/Iran; NK Summit/Americans Released; McCain Mocked


Former Hollywood Heavyweight Harvey Weinstein Indicted on Rape

Former Hollywood heavyweight Harvey Weinstein turned himself into authorities in Manhattan after it was announced the former head of The Weinstein Company would be indicted on rape charges after a federal grand jury returned the sealed indictment.

Weinstein was accompanied by his attorneys when he turned himself into authorities. He was fingerprinted and held pending a bail hearing. Bail was set at one million dollars which he paid by cashier’s check.

The serial predator has experienced a stunning fall from grace over the past year. So shocking his fall only the mythological character Icarus seems to be fit the surreal demise of the former untouchable and lauded, CEO.

Weinstein’s criminal predilection were for the most part a well-guarded and well-kept secret in Hollywood. His repugnant behaviors were overlooked with little or no judicial intervention. Even famed women’s lawyers sworn to fight for the females were mysteriously, although not surprisingly, silent.

Many in Hollywood have a layered opinion of Harvey Weinstein’s actions. The first, of course, is rape and sexual assault are fall outside the acceptable areas of the law. Which mean of course rape is against the law. The layered belief is seasoned with ambition.

Many, and many who are sworn to uphold the law, believe sexual favors or service is the entrance fee to celerity and stardom. The mind is muddled when power mingles with unchecked behavior and a belief that no arrest equates to acceptance.

Statutes, no matter how vocal the victim is or becomes, guide the prosecution of these predators. Those hoping for prosecution in the Weinstein Case got lucky as more than one of his assaults fell into the statue time frame in New York.

Some states have are more lenient statutes, as we’ve seen the case of another serial rapists, Bill Cosby, others stricter. It’s as if the statutes were enacted to ridicule the victim and coddle the criminal.

Those women who were victimized by Harvey Weinstein aren’t alone, victims everyone are faced with the same layered belief. If not ambition, then “allowing or asking for it” came in the manner in which a women dressed, danced, drank, partied, none of which resulted in career advancement.

Stopping the most aggressive animal doesn’t always stop the herd. Hopefully, in this case, the example of Harvey Weinstein will be enough to begin the process of change. And it has.

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

Sources: Whitehouse.gov, Wikipedia.com

Haute Tease