Iran

January 6 House Committee Subpoena To Trump, Just As We Learn He Had China And Iran Security Documents At Mar A Lago!

Ronald 1 Comment

The January 6 House Committee has issued a subpoena to Donald Trump, calling for documents by November 4 and testimony around November 14, a dramatic development!

And as this is revealed, we learn that Donald Trump had China and Iran National Security documents at Mar A Lago, a shocking revelation!

If anyone else had participated in such pilfering of national security documents, such person would have been arrested and incarcerated before trial!

It is time, once the Midterm Elections of 2022 are over, for Attorney General Merrick Garland to move forward on indictment on a number of charges!

International Relations Becoming More Dominated By Authoritarian Leaders

Ronald Leave a comment

The world in 2022 is becoming more dominated by authoritarian leaders than any time since World War II, a sign of major challenges for President Joe Biden.

Already, the Russian Federation, China, North Korea, and Iran are constantly challenging America and its democracy.

But now, Saudi Arabia, under Mohamed bin Salman, in cooperation with Vladimir Putin, is cutting oil production, and creating an economic nightmare of higher oil prices, just as the Midterm Elections of 2022 come upon us in one month.

The Democrats already have problems with inflation and higher mortgage rates and this despicable action by Saudia Arabia, in lead with Putin, could very well undermine the push to protect American democracy in the upcoming elections, and prevent protection of abortion rights.

This will be a very difficult month, with growing sense that MAGA Republicans and Donald Trump could end up in control of government, and undermine, in league with an extremist right wing Supreme Court, many of the progressive
advancements in government and civil rights that have occurred in the years since the New Deal of Franklin D. Roosevelt and the Great Society of Lyndon B. Johnson!

Low Moment For Joe Biden In Saudi Arabia, Will Undermine His Presidency!

Ronald Leave a comment

President Joe Biden has reached a low point in his Presidency, with his visit to Saudi Arabia, and having to deal with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammmed bin Salman, the heir apparent to be King of Saudi Arabia, a truly evil person!

Biden had said he wanted to make Saudi Arabia and MBS pariahs, but due to the issue of gasoline prices, and the growing threat of Iran, he had to bow, effectively, and do a “Fist Bump” with MBS.

It was a humiliating moment, and makes the viability of Joe Biden’s Presidency very shaky, at a time just months before the Midterm Elections of 2022!

Biden’s Upcoming Trip To The Middle East

Ronald 2 Comments

President Biden is making a trip to the Middle East this week, with emphasis on his visit to Saudi Arabia and to Israel.

Both nations are a major problem for Biden, as he has to back off on his condemnation of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman’s promotion of the murder of Jamal Khashoggi in 2018, and has to deal with an unstable situation in Israel, which will soon have its fifth election in two years, with the possibility of the return of Benjmain Netanyahu to the Prime Ministership.

Human Rights remains a Biden concern, but sadly, other issues and concerns, including the price and availability of oil supplies, must be considered.

Both nations are crucial allies, but with governments that are highly controversial in their policies, and Joe Biden has to manage a very difficult diplomatic situation, that no matter what evolves, will lead to criticism!

The problem of the Palestinians, and also of Iran and the Nuclear Deal controversy, will be the center of attention in both nations.

Six Month Anniversary Of President Joe Biden: A Positive Change And High Public Opinion Ratings!

Ronald 1 Comment

Today, July 20, marks the six month Anniversary of the Joe Biden Presidency!

What a vastly different six months these have been, and Joe Biden’s public opinion ratings rank in the high 50s to low 60s, depending on which assessment is examined.

Many problems have arisen, as with any President who comes into office, but Biden is pushing ahead on infrastructure legislation, and wants a large “human infrastructure” bill, based on “reconciliation”, 50 Democratic votes and Vice President Kamala Harris.

Senators Joe Manchin and Kyrsten Sinema continue to present problems in trying to overcome the filibuster, and may prevent progress on voting rights, very sad indeed.

Foreign policy issues are rearing their ugly head, including new ones on Cuba and Haiti in just the last few weeks.

This along with the usual foreign policy challenges, with Russia, China, Iran, and North Korea.

Environmental progress has been outstanding, and while the unvaccinated remain a problem with the Delta Variant of COVID 19, and the unhelpful propaganda against vaccination by right wing media, it is still amazing how many Americans have already shown patriotism and common sense on this matter.

If only Joe Biden had the conditions of Franklin D. Roosevelt in 1933-1936 and Lyndon B. Johnson from 1964-1966, he would have been able to accomplish much more, but still there is optimism, and the hope is for greater progress in the next six months!

Foreign Policy Rears Its Ugly Head After Four Months Of The Joe Biden Presidency

Ronald Leave a comment

Four months into the Joe Biden Presidency, foreign policy is rearing its ugly head in so many ways.

We have China claiming exclusive rights to much of the South China Sea, and creating naval issues with the United States and other nations that have territories in the Pacific.

We have Russia under Vladimir Putin being belligerent in so many ways, including claiming sole rights to much of the Arctic as climate change leads to melting of much of the ice in that region, opening up new potential for commerce and naval expansion, and being challenged by the US and other nations.

We have North Korea still engaged in nuclear testing and remaining a threat to South Korea and other Asian neighbors.

We have Iran remaining a threat in the Middle East, and the issue of trying to stop Iranian nuclear development.

We have the Palestinian-Israeli conflict, which led to an 11 day war, and growing antisemitism around the world, and domestically in America.

We have the growing threat of authoritarianism spreading around the world in so many nations and regions.

We have the continuing global threat of climate change, and also of terrorism.

While the challenges are massive, Joe Biden came into the White House with the most foreign policy expertise since George H. W. Bush and Richard Nixon, so the nation is in good hands for these foreign policy challenges!

America Became Part Of The World This Week In 1917!

Ronald Leave a comment

America became part of the world this week in 1917, when President Woodrow Wilson went to Congress on April 2, 1917, and asked for a Congressional Declaration of War against Imperial Germany, the Austro Hungarian Empire, and the Turkish Empire, putting us into “the Great War”, later called the World War, and after entrance into World War II, termed World War I.

Although America went back into isolationism in the 1920s and 1930s, the nation learned that it was a false decision, and since World War II, we have recognized that we are part of the world, and cannot ignore what is going on outside America, as it can and has threatened American national security.

President Joe Biden faces many foreign policy challenges, most significantly with China, Russia, North Korea and Iran, but with many other authoritarian nations that also undermine America’s basic values.

While Biden wishes to deal with the many domestic challenges, he will not be able to ignore the many problems other nations pose for the United States!

Foreign Policy Rears Its Ugly Head For Joe Biden

Ronald Leave a comment

Every President enters office wishing to deal with domestic policy and change.

But invariably, foreign policy rears its ugly head much too often!

Woodrow Wilson came to office in 1913, not expecting the First World War I to break out in 1914, and bring us into that war in 1917.

Franklin D. Roosevelt came to office in 1933, wishing to deal with the Great Depression, but also had to deal with the growing Fascist threat of Japan, Nazi Germany, and Fascist Italy, and eventually, entrance into World War II!

Harry Truman came to office in 1945 to end World War II, but had to deal with the Cold War with the Soviet Union, and send troops to Korea.

John F. Kennedy came to office in 1961, and had to deal with the Cuban Missile Crisis in 1962.

Lyndon B. Johnson came to office in 1963, wanting to promote the Great Society, but also had to deal with the Vietnam War.

Every other President in modern times has had to face similar issues, and now, Joe Biden must deal with China, Russia, North Korea, and Iran as major headaches, as he tries to resolve the COVID 19 Pandemic Crisis!

Priority For Joe Biden And Secretary of State Antony Blinken To Support Allies And Be Tough On Adversaries

Ronald Leave a comment

With the confirmation of Antony Blinken as Secretary of State for President Joe Biden, the priority is for both Biden and Blinken to make perfectly clear that foreign policy will return to normalcy.

This means that America must restore the close relations with our NATO allies, and with Asian allies, including Japan and South Korea, all heavily damaged under Donald Trump.

It also means being tough toward our adversaries, including the Russian Federation and Vladimir Putin; China; North Korea; and Iran, making clear we are not cozying up to these dictators, while dealing with them in a “tough love” atmosphere.

It also means we cannot allow Saudi Arabia to manipulate America, as it did under Donald Trump.

It also means working in unison with other nations on climate change, and promoting a series of fair trade agreements, instead of imposing higher tariffs on Americans, as Trump practiced.

Confrontations might occur, hopefully not, but we must make clear that America will uphold democracy as part of its historic mission, and will never abandon its democratic allies in the world!

As Georgia Votes For Two Senators Tomorrow, Donald Trump Commits Impeachable, Criminal Act!

Ronald 2 Comments

The Georgia runoff elections are taking place on Tuesday, just as Donald Trump has been committing impeachable, and criminal acts, trying to force the Georgia Secretary of State and the Georgia Governor, both Republicans, to “fix” the election results in a vain attempt to deny Joe Biden the Electoral College victory he won nine weeks ago.

Listening to the hour long tape of his phone call to the Georgia state officials is shocking, and demonstrates how Trump is conducting himself as if he is a Mafia Chief, with no limits, and demonstrates the danger he presents to the nation!

The Biden victory has been affirmed in about 60 court cases, including two before the Supreme Court, which includes three Trump appointees.

It is clear that Donald Trump is obsessive compulsive, and unwilling to accept defeat, and is living in an alternate world reality!

He is violating his oath of office, and endangering the nation in a multitude ways, and should be impeached immediately by the House of Representatives, despite the reality that there is no way to have an impeachment trial, but for the record of history!

Trump also needs to face criminal indictment once he leaves office, and not just for financial corruption in New York State and New York City, but for massive abuse of power!

The danger with 16 days to go is that Trump is assaulting American democracy, the Constitution, and rule of law, and could, in theory, start a war with Iran; or try to use nuclear weapons; or order his right wing lunatic followers (The Proud Boys) to provoke violence, which may come on January 6 and after, including Inauguration Day, January 20!

The idea that 13 Republican Senators and 140 Republican Congressmen are still tied to Trump, and planning to disrupt the Electoral College vote on Wednesday, presents a crisis unseen before in American history, with a President who is totally unhinged mentally!