Month: April 2017

L.A. Times Hits Trump Hard

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L.A. Times Hit Trump Hard

D. S. Mitchell

Day Trip

Although I made several short posts today, I didn’t really have time today to research the headlines and put together an article. I took a very rainy drive from the beach to Portland, OR. about, two hours one way. I’m back home now, and just a bit burned out. Sometimes I’m not in the mood to properly deal with a headline topic. However, I’d like to share with any readers who might stumble on to this news and political commentary site, a series of articles by the L.A. Times Editorial Board. Each of the articles focus on President Donald J. Trump. So far, the L.A. Times has printed six articles about president Trump. The writing is great and the information is well sources. Each of the articles are  well worth reading.

Recommended article titles: 1.) Our Dishonest President, 2.) Why Trump Lies, 3.) Trump’s Authoritarian Vision, 4.) Trump’s War on Journalism, 5.) Conspiracy Theorist in Charge, 6.) California Fights Back.

The posts are not on the Calamity News and Politics website, but  you can of course, go to the L.A. Times website and search their archives. It is definitely worth looking for these articles. Really good journalism.

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WEST WING WARFARE

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West Wing Warfare

D. S. Mitchell

Staff Shuffling

The Daily Beast reports this week that political warfare has indeed broken out at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue, Washington, D.C. Reports from the White House indicate they are undertaking a major reshuffling of staff. Steve Bannon seems to be the center of most conversation. Over the weekend Steve Bannon was fired from the National Security Council. To date, Bannon continues as Chief Strategist to the President.

McMaster Rejects politicization

There are signs that there are deep divisions in the West Wing. General H.R. McMaster seems to be asserting control over the NSC and solidifying his relationship with President Trump. McMaster is adamant that there is not going to be a politicization of NSC as long as he is at its head. The appointment of Bannon to the NSC had drawn criticism as inappropriate.

Nunes At The Center

The firestorm began when it was learned that 3 NSC officials have been linked to the distribution of classified documents to Devin Nunes. Nunes, a Republican is the Chairman of the House committee investigating Russia and the Trump 2016 campaign. The Chairman is now under ethics investigation for his conduct in the Russia probe. The discovery of the leaks to Nunes has created an earthquake within the administration. There has been fiery accusations against Bannon. Steve Bannon is suspected of releasing documents to Devin Nunes.  The intent attributed to Bannon was to deflect attention away from the Russian “collusion” investigation.

Reliable Sources

Furthermore, reliable sources indicate that Bannon and the president’s son-in-law, Jared Kushner, are at each other’s throats. Kushner apparently drew Bannon’s wrath when he spoke against separating children from their parents at immigrant internment camps. Kushner’s sentiments caused Bannon to label him a “left-wing radical.” Not terms that this Republican administration wants thrown around.  Bannon and other right-wing idealogues are signaling open fear that Trump may be leaning toward what they consider the more liberal influence of his son-in-law.

Talk Radio

Mark Levin, is a right-wing radio host. On his Wednesday night show he said the liberals in the administration are trying to increase their influence over Trump.  He was pointing to Jared Kushner, Gary Cohn, and Dina Powell.  Roger Stone, a long time gadfly and right-wing operative stoked the political warfare. He told “InfoWars” firebrand Alex Jones, that the leaks from the White House were coming directly from Kushner. In fact, Stone accused Kushner of feeding morning TV host Joe Scarborough insider information.

Name Calling

Bannon has called Kushner a “cuck” (cuckservative) “globalist” and “worse than a Democrat”. Reports suggest that Bannon worries that he is slipping in favor and that Jared Kushner is increasingly more important as an advisor to the president. Bannon has a vision to de-construct the government and he see’s Kushner as an impediment to the realization of that dream.

McMaster Tightens Control

As McMaster tightens his control at the NSC, Deputy NSC advisor K.T. McFarland was asked to step down. K.T. was at NSC for only 3 months. McFarland had been appointed to the NSC by Mike Flynn. K.T. is a political commentator and author. McFarland will be assigned as the Singapore Ambassador if she is able to clear Senate confirmation.

Waiting For The Crash

As fast as things happen in this White House we will probably watch it all play out on the political talk shows, next week. As such, I’m here in the CNP office waiting for the sound of crashing metal and glass. My hope is that, after the crash, the American people still have a political system they can count on. I guess, we will just have to wait, and see.

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14.5 BILLION LEAVES U.S. IN ONE WEEK

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14.5 Billion Leaves U. S. In One Week

D. S. Mitchell

Hair Pulling

I’ve taken a couple of days off from adding to The Calamity Politics blog because there has been an avalanche of news, coming literally hourly, and there is only me, and Jane, sometimes. I haven’t been sure which of the events I should be pulling my hair out over. As if, I had any hair left, to pull out. Hundreds of deaths, American air strikes, White House intrigue, and North Korean saber-rattling has been mind bending. For those of us interested in what’s happening with our financial portfolios it has been an unsettling week.

Hammered

U.S. stock funds were hammered by the largest weekly withdrawal and transfer of wealth since 2015. In the 2015 case, money ran briefly to Europe over fears of a downturn in economic growth in both the U.S. and China. During the week of April 5th, 2017, investors sucked 14.5 Billion dollars from U.S. stock portfolios, as investors rotated into European equities. Experts explain that investor’s realization that Trump’s promises will take a bit of time to materialize, if at all, sent many investors to look for alternatives to U.S. equities.

Doubts Over Trump Foreign Policy

The growing shift toward Europe accelerated amid doubts over Trump’s policy agenda. The increased pressure accelerated after some big failures from the White House, including, ongoing Russian investigations, the failed Health Care Reform, and a perception of an administration in chaos and scandal.

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25 Smile Makers

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25 Smile Makers

D. S. Mitchell

I’m Calamity and I am Calamity News and Politics. Calamity Politics is a progressive political blog that addresses the daily news headlines and political events. During the week I try to stay on task and comment and analyze the events I see.  But today is Sunday, and it’s the day I take to reflect on all my blessings. I also like to find no less than 25 things that are worth smiling about. Here we go.

1.) Naming a star after a friend 2.) Watching a dragonfly float on the breeze
3.) Tending my inner child 4.) Stepping into the warmth of a therapy pool
5.) Days at the lake house 6.) Old Faithful Geyser 7.) Postcards 8.) Flowers on the table 9.) Beach side cabins 10.) Orchid filled greenhouses 11.) Shelves of home canned veggies 11.) A new bike 12.) Old friends 13.) Black T and jeans
14.) The rolling wheat fields of Eastern Oregon 15.) The smell of Jasmine
16.) Standing up for myself in an uncomfortable situation 17.) Tootsie Roll Pops
18.) The majesty of space and time 19.) Burned toast with chunks of unmelted butter 20.) Weathered barns on country roads 21.) Rugged coastal cliffs
22.) Elephants 23.) March Madness 24.) Saving a house from demolition
25.) Flower laden window boxes

Here’s More

Well that was fun, and just because I have time here’s ten more things to smile about: 26.) My pocket copy of the U.S. Constitution 27.) Chilled shrimp salad
28.) Sun burned noses 29.) Freshly waxed hardwood floors 30.) French doors
31.) Time to play 32.) The smell of fresh-cut grass 33.) Ivy climbing brick walls
34.) White gym shorts 35.) Fern gardens, among ancient pines

I’m sure the upcoming days will cause many hours of frustration, but just remember, you decide how you are going to feel, react and take part in life. We must always make time to smile. Or, better yet, just laugh.

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Flynn Facts

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Flynn Facts

D. S. Mitchell

Flynn Facts

Lt. General Michael Flynn (Retired) was born in 1958, in Middletown, R.I. and served in the U.S. Army for 33 years before being forced out of his intelligence position at the joint operations command.  He had clashes with superiors over his chaotic management style and his vision for the agency. Insiders state, “Flynn got fired because he was abusive to staff, refused to listen, worked against policy and was a poor manager,” per the Huffington Post. Furthermore, Flynn had a reputation for playing fast and loose with the facts. Subordinates referred to his dubious assertions as, “Flynn facts.”

Religious Bigotry

Flynn believes the Muslim religion is the cause of “Islamist terrorism.” He has famously proclaimed Islam “is a political ideology and a cancer.” He tweeted, “Fear of Muslims is RATIONAL”. With that tweet he included a link to a video that claimed Islam intends to enslave or exterminate 80% of the world population. He supports return of Betula Gulen to Turkey to face charges of instigating a failed coup against Turkish President Erdogan. Erdogan’s government has moved closer to Russia over the last several years and Flynn has stated he wants to see the United States, “begin to work constructively with Russia.”

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