Jesse Jackson on Asserting Self Worth and Black Pride (1963)

 

Four centuries of  slavery, racial segregation , and discrimination  harmed the psyche of the African American. Jesse Jackson ( 1941- 2026)  was one of many African American civil rights leaders to promote self worth and black pride. Speaking in 1963, he challenged the notion that African Americans were destined to remain second class citizens. Many had convinced themselves they were inferior to whites. Oppression can not survive without a degree of compliance and self hatred.  During the civil rights movement African American self image required a radical transformation. African Americans had to see themselves as people who deserved rights, respect, and political power. Black skin was nothing to be ashamed of or vituperated. This was why Jesse Jackson would recite the poem " I Am Somebody." A reminder that no human being should be treated as a less than. African American self assertion and pride brought about a conservative and white backlash. After two liberal presidential administrations in the 1960s, the Nixon administration moved the country in a conservative direction. Jesse Jackson would continue to fight for civil rights and racial equality in the following decades.  

The Aftermath of Winter Storm Fern

 

A combination of snow and ice hit the United States at the end of January. Many cities were not prepared to handle Winter Storm Fern. Large amounts of  ice continue to block roads and sidewalks. The storm also brought concerns about the safety of the homeless and those who were travelling. Inadequate infrastructure resulted in power outages. Aging poles and wires that transport electricity did not have the strength to withstand the storm. Power lines are going to vulnerable to extreme weather events. Mississippi, Louisiana, and Tennessee experienced toppled power lines, which becomes a public hazard. Loss of heating and electricity can be lethal in a winter storm. Power grids need to be more durable. The problem related to infrastructure improvement comes from cost. Projects would possibly require millions of dollars. Certain states may not be able to generate that revenue. The federal government does seem to provided assistance. Even if infrastructure is improved, few are addressing the connection between climate change and extreme weather events. Americans are going to be dealing with more power outages, limited snow or ice removal, and unsafe conditions in upcoming winter seasons.   

President Barack Obama Discusses Immigration (2009)

 

The United States has a long history of immigration. By the 2000s it became one of the major wedge issues in American politics. President Barack Obama came to office with the intent of immigration reform. When speaking at a rally in 2009, President Obama's positions seemed less liberal. He stated "no one gets a free ride." Then asserts amnesty would not be an option. He talks about earning citizenship, but does not acknowledge that the process is slow and inefficient. The biggest distortion is that President Obama claimed "American appreciate immigration." American xenophobia and racism makes becoming a citizen difficult. Then President Barack Obama did not mention that US military intervention created large numbers of refugees. The Vietnam War, CIA operations in Central America, the 2003 Iraq War, and  the invasion  Afghanistan  displaced many people. The Barack Obama administration ended up deporting more immigrants than the Bush administration. Race relations continued to be tense even with the election of the first African American president. 

No Reports Related To Former President Biden's Health

 

Former President Joseph Biden was diagnosed with prostate cancer in May of 2025. The media and Democratic Party tried to ignore the significance of the former president's health. If he had remained in the 2024  presidential campaign, this could have been a serious crisis for government. When diagnosed, President Biden stated he was expected to make a full recovery. President Joseph Biden's health issues were becoming obvious during his administration. The first debate President Biden was showing signs of cognitive decline. While there is an order of succession for the office of president, a transition unexpectedly can be a cause of concern. An unhealthy head of state becomes a reflection of the healthcare system. A president who is supposed to have quality medical care was failed by White House doctors. The average US citizen fares worse in terms of fighting disease and maintaining  health. Paying for medical care still causes financial ruin and bankruptcy. The only reason this was not a bigger scandal was that the diagnosis was made when Biden was no longer in office. President Trump's mental health is subject to scrutiny, yet there was silence over President Biden's memory issues. The leaders of the US are aging and there is a need for youthful politicians. After President Obama, US heads of state have been senior citizens. Health and age should be factors in selection of a candidate for the presidency. The Democratic Party nominated twice an leader who was older and displaying signs of deteriorating health. This must change if the Democratic Party is to retake the White House in 2028. President Biden continues to remain active in public life, despite having health issues.          

President Obama Visits Elon Musk At SpaceX (2010)

 

Before Elon Musk became administrator of  the Department of Government Efficiency, he was seen as favorable to the Democratic establishment. SpaceX is a private company that wants to expand space exploration. President Barack Obama visited SpaceX in 2010 and met with Elon Musk. Musk discusses the Falcon 9 rocket and the Dragon Spacecraft. It appears the intention of Musk was to get more government contracts. He could have contemplated that SpaceX would replace or surpass NASA as the major organization for space exploration. When the presidential  election of 2024  saw the return of Trump, Musk found a means of promoting techofeudalism. Elon Musk represented the worst of the billionaire excess. This was ignored because Tesla makes electric vehicles. The production of electric cars promoted the image of an environmentalist and clean energy Democratic Party . The irony is that Tesla cars would be vandalized in response to Elon Musk's actions in the federal government. The myth of the humanitarian billionaire gradually is crumbling. Even though Musk is leaving government he maintains ownership X.com, Tesla, and SpaceX. Elon Musk was building up influence government since the 2010s.    

Afrikaners Coming To America

 

Afrikaners are coming to America. The Trump administration has given them refugee status. This is one of many attempts to undermine South Africa. Only 59 Afrikaners arrived in May under the new resettlement program. These arrivals are not refugees nor are they victims of persecution. The African National Congress has never passed any legislation to attack the white minority in South Africa. The white farmers continue to hold prejudiced convictions and are part of the reason inequality still remains in South Africa. The reason the resettlement program exists is due to the influence of Elon Musk. Musk wants to promote Afrikaner nationalism and white supremacist racism. Giving white immigrants priority is a way to counter America's demographic shift. Simultaneously, the Trump administration wants to break the BRICS alliance. The special treatment for Afrikaners demonstrates America's hatred for non-white immigrants. The United States has not given asylum to Iraqis, Afghans, Libyans, Somalians, or Syrians. The US bombed all of these countries and created a refugee crisis that effects Europe, Africa, and Asia. South Africa was too lenient on the Afrikaners. The ANC chose reconciliation, while Zimbabwe reclaimed the land that was stolen. The Apartheid regime is gone, but remanence of the structure still remains. It might be time for South Africa to consider expulsion of the Afrikaner population, if further offenses continue. Welcoming Afrikaners to America only further damages diplomatic relations. Considering that both the United States of America and Apartheid South Africa were born out of settler colonialism these developments make sense in a political context. The Afrikaners coming to America are going to be disappointed. They are moving to a country being more racially diverse. Their numbers are not enough to alter America's demographic changes.    

JFK Files Released

 

More documents related to the John F. Kennedy assassination have been released. A total of 80,000 documents. The release was done through executive order. Some are wondering why this took so long. The argument was that some documents had to be held for national security reasons. There was also speculation that the US government did not care about the assassination of a liberal head of state. At the time, Dallas Texas was rabidly anti-communist, anti-liberal, and supported racial segregation. Documents have been released before the recent executive order, but just add to the mystery. By law the government has to release all the documents. However, thousands of documents remain secret. This indicates that the criminal action had a much wider reach. Many Americans believe that Lee Harvey Oswald did not act alone. Others suspect that either the CIA itself or Cuban exiles who were part of the Bay of Pigs invasion were involved. Decades of scholarship, independent researchers, and historians have not been able to solve the case. The attempts to undermine the Kennedy Assassination Records Collection Act of 1992 is apparent. Withholding information just allows more conspiracy theories to develop. While making all the documents public might not provide answers, it ends one dispute. The Warren Commission was an inadequate investigation, which made the wrong conclusion. Oswald was not a sole culprit. He is charged as the assassin, but never was tried due to being killed by Jack Ruby. Seeing as Oswald was never tried or convicted this would make him an alleged assassin. The documents might not solve the criminal case, but are useful for the preservation of American history. 

Malcolm X Views on Integration, President Kennedy, and Race Relations (1963)

 

Malcolm X was critical of the Kennedy administration's lack of action on civil rights. Only when the violence in Alabama got more intense did the government take notice. Malcolm X did not support racial integration. Black separatism was in his view the only solution in a racist society. Developing a self sustaining community and in the distant future a black nation in North America was the goal. Non-violent resistance was in an ineffective tactic in Malcolm's perspective. Malcolm X was accused of hating whites by the media. His response was that he was not focused on false assertions. Such a question was a disingenuous one. The attempt was to demonize the Nation of Islam and Malcolm X as a threat. Members of the Nation of Islam were subject to police brutality and murder. Malcolm X was being spied on by the FBI. Separatism made sense in a country based on second class citizenship and segregation. Race relations would not be improved by integration. 

Billie Holiday Sings Strange Fruit (1959)

 

Strange Fruit was a blues song protesting lynching released in 1939. Billie Holiday would sing the song regularly during her career. During the Great Depression African Americans were subject to persecution not only by the state, but by vigilante and terrorist groups. The Black Legion and the Ku Klux Klan attacked African American communities. Billie Holiday's singing expresses the sorrow and fear living under violent conditions. The victims in the song are compared to fruit. The context shows how there was a disregard for the value of African American life. When Billie Holiday performed the song again in 1959, America was changing. The murder of Emmett Till sparked a movement for civil rights. The resistance never stopped and music is a part of movements for justice.  

Donald Trump, The Influence of Corporate Power, And The Corrupt System of American Politics

 Donald Trump became the second president to win non-consecutive terms. This so far, only happened with President Grover Cleveland in 1892. The US presidential election of 2024 was unlike any other. President Biden was forced out of the race over concerns about his cognitive health. Although Donald Trump and Kamala Harris are both senior citizens, Biden's age became a topic of discussion. The first presidential debate was held before Biden and Trump were made official nominees of their political parties. The error was having President Joseph Biden debate that early. Donald Trump's return to the presidency was the outcome of the public's dissatisfaction with the Biden administration. Kamala Harris replaced Biden, but did not distance herself from his policies. Worsening economic conditions, concerns about immigration, and interventionist foreign policy caused President Biden to slip in the polls. Donald Trump was able to exploit discord, resentment, and disillusioned individuals. Voters who were once Democrats decided to vote for Donald Trump. Libertarians, anti-political establishment voters, and far-right factions  are a part of the Trump base. Elon Musk used his resources to assist the Trump campaign. The unusual coalition of groups elected him president both in 2016 and 2024. Donald Trump's loss in 2020 was due to the inadequate response to the COVID-19 pandemic. The election of Joseph Biden was an attempt to go back to a form of normalcy. Instead Americans were faced with inflation, the consequences of escalating the Russia-Ukraine War, and a growing housing crisis. Donald Trump would have never been able to win, if the Biden administration was able to address dire issues. Donald Trump's election in 2024 demonstrates corporate power has an abnormal amount of influence in American politics. Billionaires have  created an oligarchy, which only has some institutions of a liberal democratic structure. Donald Trump has been presented as a unique threat by the political establishment. The exaggeration ignores the fact that both political parties are beholden to the business elite, special interest groups, and a number of lobbies. Donald Trump demonized not because of his corruption or crimes, rather he ruined the mythical image honest government. American politics is  a corrupt system, yet many want to believe it can be reformed or used for revolutionary change. The Donald Trump presidency dismantled these long held American convictions. 

      Donald Trump built his wealth through real estate. It was 1976 when the Trump Organization did its major construction project. The renovation of the Commodore Hotel in New York, New York was the beginning of Trump's business career. The United States during this period was in a state of political doubt. The defeat in the Vietnam War and Watergate generated much discord in the American public. The United States was facing an energy crisis, which the Carter administration struggled to control. The economic condition was that of recession between the 1973 and 1975. The desire to see economic prosperity on the scale of the 1950s was desirable. Donald Trump took advantage of the political and economic shifts during the 1970s and 1980s. Donald Trump and the other corporate figures of real estate were  the forces behind gentrification. Manhattan was a specific target of pushing low income residents to other areas. When Ronald Reagan was elected president, a policy objective was to deregulate various industries. Simultaneously, housing subsidies were cut. The Regan administration's supply side economic policies enabled Donald Trump to expand his wealth.  This began a pattern of Donald Trump not paying taxes based on his income. The Trump Organization was not paying the proper amount of taxes. It was only in 2022 that the Trump Organization was convicted of criminal tax fraud. Corporations and the CEOs avoid any serious punishment. The Trump Organization's criminal behavior is common among large corporations. The influence of corporate power grew so much in the 1990s, it eclipsed political power. Both the Democratic and Republican Party became dependent on campaign donations from corporations. This phenomenon paralleled the monopoly trusts of the early 20th century. At the time, oil and steel were two immense trusts in the US economy. Figures like John D. Rockefeller and J.P. Morgan were despised for their domination of business. The Theodore Roosevelt administration set about challenging corporate power by breaking up monopolies. Trust busting was the only time in US history in which corporate power was challenged effectively.     

By the late 20th century, the government was collaborating with corporate power. The environment allowed Donald Trump to rise as a public figure. Prior to his entry into politics, he would meet with various politicians  and celebrities. Donald Trump cultivated an image as being different from other corporate leaders. He did not present himself as hostile to the political establishment, rather an ambassador. This disguised a more malevolent nature. Trump's race prejudice, poor treatment of his employees, and unethical business practices were not subject to scrutiny prior to 2016. Corporate power was not only enabled by Republicans, but by the New Democrats with the election of William Jefferson Clinton. Accommodating corporate power, meant abandoning working class concerns. The shift was to focusing on the middle class and accommodating the business elite resulted in negative consequences. The cost of living increased, while wages remained stagnant. Attaining a middle class or financially secure status  was out of reach for most Americans. Donald Trump has done several business ventures. Casinos, gold courses, and a  recent venture into cryptocurrency shows profit motive drives Trump's ambitions. Politics is another business project to enrich himself. Corporate power is no longer operating in a furtive manner. Corporate power over the past 50 years has been pushing for an oligarchic system. Neither political party would challenge this , because the preservation of neoliberal capitalism is more important than a democratic government. 

      Corruption has been a part of American politics throughout its history. Attempts at reform are not successful. Campaign finance reform is discussed, but no substantive action is taken. Presidential campaigns now boast about how much money they raise. Egregious to most of the public, candidates for public office will not attack the practice publicly. Money continues to corrupt a fragile republic. Donald Trump was able to use some campaign funds to pay for legal expenses. A number of lawsuits were directed at him between 2022 and 2023. Taking campaign funds to pay for legal expenses demonstrates the corrupt nature of American politics. Donations from voters and other organizations should be used for getting elected to office. Kamala Harris campaign generated a total of $1billion. Despite getting funds from other companies, her website was asking voters to donate money. This comes at a time when Americans struggle with inflation. After the loss of the 2024 election, Kamala was asking voters to donate to cover certain debts accumulated during the campaign. What can be speculated is the Kamala Harris campaign was spending more than they were supposed to. The irresponsible mismanagement of funds borders on embezzlement.  The existing laws are too weak or there remain loopholes that make it difficult to charge. Voter power is being undermined by not only the candidates, but by other entities. Political action committees, lobbies, and corporations have more control over the US  Congress . A Democratic or Republican running for president would be more responsive to these entities than the general public. The Israel-Gaza War made voters question Middle East policy. The desire for change related to the Israel-US relationship was expressed by various constituencies. Protests did not change the presidential candidates' positions on Israel. Both favored arming the country despite human rights violations and war crimes. The reason is that AIPAC maintains connections to both political parties. The healthcare system will not be improved for the reason of insurance company lobbies. Legislation is stopped before it is even voted on. Super PACs might not be able to directly contribute to a political party or candidate, however their funds make it easier for their agenda setting objective. Donald Trump's involvement in politics was a natural choice. The corporate world functions on a similar system of corruption, which is why Trump was able to get elected to the office. 

      The political establishment has a distain for Trump for a number of reasons. A political neophyte won the presidency twice. The second time was more irksome considering it happened with a number of lawsuits in progress. Donald Trump cannot be controlled nor does he adhere to Washington based norms. Donald Trump continues to remold the political landscape. While Donald Trump is not anti-war and expresses sympathy with imperialist views, he does not share the neoconservative foreign policy vision. The rise of the MAGA movement produced an unanticipated reaction. Neoconservative Republicans and political centrist Democrats formed an alliance, which was not possible in the 2000s. The Bush era was another period of extreme division. The Iraq War and the Afghan War split both political parties. Bipartisanship could not function under a Bush administration.   When voters went to the polls in 2008 and 2012, they hoped for genuine change. President Barack Obama was unsuccessful in addressing the economic challenges the population was facing. Discussion of change was not enough. When Donald Trump entered the race in 2016, he took a more vituperative and vexed tone. Donald Trump channeled the frustrations, fears, and sadness of  people who were left behind by globalization and neoliberal capitalism. Voters who selected Obama previously cast ballots for Trump. The group of former Democrat voters selecting Trump occurred in 2024. The public has felt that two party system is not working for them. Voting for Trump in 2016 was an act disappointment for those who desired a change to the American political system. The Democrats who voted for Trump in 2024 was rage directed at the poor performance by the Biden administration. The political establishment refused to acknowledge the changes domestically or on a global scale. Tactics that would have worked in 1992, 1996, 2000, 2004, 2008 and 2012 were no loner relevant. The political establishment then cited that Donald Trump was a fascist or collaborating with the Russian Federation. These accusations are not credible criticisms. Donald Trump ended the INF Treaty which did not work in Russia's favor. Fascism is a right-wing political ideology that promotes aggressive nationalism. Donald Trump's racism is based on  paleoconservative   convictions closer to Pat Buchanan.. Donald Trump as authoritarian tendencies, but classifying him under a fascist totalitarian designation would not be correct. The political establishment is not concerned about rights or freedoms. The objective is to maintain the status quo. Some of the anti-Trump Republicans and moderate Democrats share some of his hatreds and xenophobic attitudes. Their repudiation of him is not for a noble cause, rather to maintain the myth of an honorable country. 

     Donald Trump was able to market himself and the MAGA movement. The Democratic Party does not have an adequate response to this. The politically motivated lawsuits such as the classified documents case and the inflated values of his real estate properties helped his presidential campaign. Rather than focus on serious issues, the conversation was shifted. Donald Trump switched the subject to the culture war and Kamala Harris turned to identity politics. The focus on Trans rights was mentioned in negative terms , while the opposing view was an emphasis on inclusion. Wokeness, cancel culture, or anti-SJW sentiment are not relevant to most people. These ideas and beliefs are pertinent to workplaces or entertainment. The culture war is not determining the status of the economy, employment levels, crime, immigration, or foreign policy. To an extent political correctness created an atmosphere for Donald Trump and the MAGA movement to rise. Certain subjects or topics were not meant to be discussed for the sake of preventing offense. What happened was that political correctness was being used to censor opinions or perspectives some did not want to hear. Immigration was one of those concerns. While particular comments can be rude  or insulting, people were being attacked for expressing a view that was not intended to be offensive. Political correctness was used to stifle expression of various opinions in public discourse. Donald Trump challenged this by being a vitriolic and vituperative. By marketing himself as being outrageous, Donald Trump was able to get more media attention.  Any other political figure if they expressed views in that manner would be repudiated. Donald Trump when he was host of The Apprentice  created  a public persona of churlish and unfiltered speaker. CNN, MSNBC, and Fox News only amplified this image. While Trump despises the corporate media, it is understood that it is platform for marketing himself. When Trump makes a statement and the media reacts it only empowers him. Annexing Greenland, taking the Panama Canal back,  or making Canada part of the US generated panic among corporate media circles. These events will not happen, but Trump understands that words have power. 

     Donald Trump now has another term as president. Some wonder of the current administration will be the same as the 2017 to 2020. Based on the first term and the current political conditions a general prediction can be made. Immigration is going to experience some crackdowns. However, the H-1B visa programs will not be effected. The reason is because corporations want to exploit a section of skilled immigrant labor. President Donald Trump might want mass deportations, but there are obstacles to this. Legal challenges are to be anticipated. The amount of spending required would be immense . This includes transportation, law enforcement, and detention centers need funding. The MAGA  movement is starting to show political factionalism. The H-1B visa support by Trump  vexed many in the MAGA movement. The populist and working class section is experiencing tension with the more wealthy influencers. Elon Musk represents this divide. The more working class section of MAGA is suspicious of the tech billionaires. The religious right remains with Trump, so long as he remains anti-LGBTQ. To placate that section of the constituency more anti-Trans legislation will be proposed. The actions done will not create complete unity in the MAGA movement. Although intolerant, the movement has assorted group of people. Donald Trump was able to gain more African American and Latino voters in 2024. The majority of African Americans have voted Democrat since the 1960s. Now that loyal base is shifting. The reason could be that Democrats took the African American vote for granted. The United States is going to be more paleoconservative and functioning on a xenophobic nativist model. Economics during this second term is going to follow supply-side policies. The Biden administration did not attempt to repeal the Trump era tax cuts. Increasing tariffs will not solve inflation or prevent an economic downturn. The only way tariffs could be effective is if the US had a powerful manufacturing base. Most of those occupations have been outsourced and the idea of brining manufacturing back is not possible. Economic conditions were on the decline with Biden, but will continue under Trump. Foreign policy might be different. President Trump implied he wants the Russia-Ukraine War to end. This does not mean that the US will completely disengage in Eastern Europe. Conflict with China, Venezuela, or Iran is possible. President Donald Trump has made enemies in both the Republican and Democratic Party. What President Trump  accomplishes is dependent on the House of Representatives and the Senate. His election is not the beginning of an oppressive regime. Donald Trump's rise was a culmination of America's hatreds, failed promises, and lies.      

Walter Cronkite Announces The Death of President John F. Kennedy

 

Walter Cronkite was the host of CBS Evening News from 1962 to 1981. He went on air on November 22, 1963 to announce that President John F. Kennedy was dead. He was assassinated in Dallas, Texas. This news was the most shocking Walter Cronkite reported. Cronkite interviewed President Kennedy in September. During that interview, President Kennedy acknowledged that he was not really a popular figure in the South. The presidential election of 1964 was going to be a challenge. The reason was that the Kennedy administration was shifting its support to civil rights. This divided the Democratic Party. Southern Democrats favored segregation. President Kennedy going to Texas was a security risk for him. Going there was for the sake of Democratic Party unity for the election next year. The assassination happened 61 years ago and there remain unanswered questions. Walter Cronkite never challenged the findings of the Warren Commission. Cronkite never did a journalistic investigation into the matter. Although he was willing to discuss controversies surrounding the criminal investigation, CBS did not go further. Only speculation and theories exist about why President John F. Kennedy was killed. 

President Richard M. Nixon on Hatred

 

It was 50 years ago that President Richard M. Nixon became the first to resign from office. The Watergate scandal damaged his administration and made him lose most of his political support. Richard M. Nixon announced his resignation on August 9, 1974. The burglary and attempted espionage of the DNC offices in the Watergate complex showed that the administration was criminalizing its political opponents. What brought the Nixon administration down was the cover-up and the secrecy surrounding unethical practices. Rather than face impeachment and a trial, Nixon decided to resign from the presidency. Nixon made a farewell address to staff before leaving the presidency. He stated some might despise you as a person, but they win if you hate them back. The sentiment is not wrong, yet it is advice Richard M. Nixon did not follow. The tapes revealed Nixon's racism, prejudice, and disdain for political opposition. It was President Nixon's paranoia and authoritarian tendencies that caused his downfall. 

The United States Presidential Election Results

 

Former President Donald Trump has been elected the 47th president of the United States. Kamala Harris won 244 electoral votes. Donald Trump obtained at total of 277. The 2024 US presidential election was unique. President Joseph Biden was forced out of the race and Kamala Harris became the nominee. There was not open primary or an open convention. The Democratic Party sets the rules on how they select their nominee, but some question the process during this election cycle. Kamala Harris in her first attempt to run for president was not successful. The failure to address Israel's wars on Gaza, Lebanon, and Iran alienated the Arab American community. Economic factors were a large indicator of the election outcome. Inflation, layoffs, and the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic damaged her campaign. Combined with a housing crisis and an increase in migrants frustrations  grew among the public. Donald Trump was able to exploit public discord. The criminal cases against him did not end his presidential campaign. Instead it energized his base. Kamala Harris ran a basic anti-Trump platform, but more detailed policies were needed. The error was seeking to replace the progressive vote with suburban women. Simultaneously, Donald Trump was able get more Latino and African American voters. The gender divide was evident. More men voted for Donald Trump. As the United States becomes more diverse, elections are going to get more complicated. Polls have the tendency to view groups as a monolith. Those who were Democrats defected to voting for Donald Trump. The 2024 US presidential election was in a way a referendum on the Biden administration's performance. Kamala Harris could not distance herself from his policies. The failure to address economic, international affairs, and domestic issues  resulted in Kamala Harris' loss. Donald Trump now is the second president to win two non-consecutive terms. Grover Cleveland first did this in the US presidential  election of 1892. 

Joseph Biden Comments On The 1992 Presidential Debate

 

Joseph Biden made remarks about the presidential debate in 1992. He criticized George H.W. Bush's debate performance. Willian Jefferson Clinton was able to beat both Bush and Ross Perot. The ushered in the the age of the new Democrat.  The criticism mostly was the fact that Bush ignored the economic conditions of the United States. Taxes were increasing and unemployment intensified. George H.W. Bush continued the supply-side economic policies. The irony was that Biden would be forced out the 2024 presidential race. The poor debate performance revealed that President Biden was showing signs of cognitive decline. Presidents do not win all their debates, but that was never a reason for a candidate to drop out. Concerns about Biden's age and health generated the calls to have him leave the presidential race. Donors and members of the Democratic Party withdrew their support. President Biden did not  exit to pass the torch to a new generation of leaders. Like Bush, Biden will leave office with a troubled economy. Inflation and the housing crisis has put immense strain on the American public. Biden stated in 1992 that Bush was a guy "stuck in the past." The reference was discussing the notion that Bush could not make the transition from a Cold War president to a world in which their was only one superpower. Biden then criticizes Bush for not intervening in Bosnia. Yugoslavia was in a state of civil war and going through balkanization. The US interfering would have had devastating consequences. Biden's views then explain why in the 2020s the policy was escalation in the Russia-Ukraine War. Although he mentions that there is no Soviet Union and threats are minimal Biden still wanted US forces in Europe.      

The Culprits Involved In The Trump Assassination Attempts

 

Former President Donald Trump has experienced two attempted assassinations. The culprits were Thomas Matthew Crooks and Ryan Routh. These two had no connection with one another. Thomas Crooks is more mysterious considering there is little information on him. So far, the FBI and Secret Service have not discovered a motive. The investigation is ongoing and Crooks was shot by Secret Service. Ryan Rough remains in custody after the assassination attempt in Florida. Ryan's motivation could be connected to his support for Ukraine. At onetime Routh was a supporter of Donald Trump. However, Rayan Routh became vexed that President Donald Trump was favoring ending the Russia-Ukraine War. Rough was active in recruiting fighters to the front in Eastern Europe. More information has to gathered as the case against Ryan Rough builds. Gun violence has become so prevalent presidential candidates cannot be protected. Despite this, neither candidate has proposed more strict gun control legislation. Vice President Kamala Harris mentioned during the debate that she owned a gun. This should have been condemned by gun  control activists. Ryan Rough had a criminal record and was still able to get firearms. Thomas Crooks did not have a criminal record, which made him harder to track. The assassination attempt would be his first and last crime. Political factionalism and vitriolic rhetoric is creating a dangerous atmosphere in American politics. Mass media also contributes to the growing distrust among American citizens. What Crooks knew it died with him. Ryan Routh will be undergoing a criminal interrogation. Routh's lawyers might try to use an insanity defense to avoid the death penalty or a long prison sentence. No trial date has been set.    

Tulsi Gabbard Is Providing Assistance To The Trump Campaign

 

Tulsi Gabbard is now assisting the Trump campaign. She is involved in Donald Trump's debate preparation. The significance of this is the phenomenon of former Democrats defecting to Trump's base. Tulsi Gabbard left the Democratic Party and was seeking the presidency in 2020. At one of the debates in 2020 Tusli had a contentious debate with Kamala Harris over her role in the criminal justice system. This might explain why Tulsi Gabbard decided to provide her services to the Trump campaign. Gabbard's other motivation could be related to being put on the terrorist watch list with the TSA. While not confirmed, this could have a political motivation. The theory is challenged by the fact that Tulsi Gabbard endorsed President Biden in 2020. The shift away from the Democratic Party demonstrates a growing frustration with the leadership. Voters are not seeing results and have become  disillusioned. Tulsi Gabbard's transformation is not different from what regular voters are going through. The Democratic Party has to change its strategy to stop defections. The political centrists and corporate democrats are causing many voters to either switch affiliation or not participate. Supporters of Gabbard might become Trump supporters due to her involvement.      

Kamala Harris Endorsed By President Joseph Biden As The Democratic Nominee

 

President Joseph Biden announced he will drop out of the presidential race. Mounting pressure after the first presidential debate grew. The choice to exit could have been due to declining polls, growing concerns  and concerns related to the Israel-Gaza War and  his cognitive health. President Biden endorsed Vice President Kamala Harris. Harris when she ran in 2020 was not polling well. As Vice President Kamala Harris was tasked to confront issues related to immigration and police brutality. None of these campaign promises materialized. The Democratic Party is losing the working class and taking the African American vote for granted. Selecting Kamala Harris as the nominee appears to be an effort to create an Obama like figure. Much has changed since 2008 and 2012. The middle class continues to shrink in size, while political centrists become more distant from the general public. The Democratic Party now has to select a nominee for president with the election just a few months away. There could be an open convention. These developments indicate that the Democratic Party might suffer major losses in the upcoming election cycle. Donald Trump still maintains a good chance of returning to the presidency. Kamala Harris does not have a list of accomplishments that can be used to bolster her image. Her career as a prosecutor also draws scrutiny among those concerned about the abuses of law enforcement. The Biden administration has failed to return the US to a state of calm. Unless Kamala Harris offers a more progressive solution, she will not obtain the presidency.  

The Status of The 2024 Trump Presidential Campaign

 

The former president Donald Trump has been convicted on 34 counts. This is the first time a former president has been convicted. Many legal questions have been raised. The concern is that the Trump trials creates a system of  using the law to go after political opponents. Donald Trump's most egregious crimes are not even the focus of these trials. There are  indications that he has not paid income taxes for a number of years. During the 2020 presidential election Donald Trump was attempting to reverse the outcome and was engaged  voter suppression. Accusations of racial discrimination have been documented in relation to real estate business.  The classified documents case remains unresolved. Despite these controversies and criminal charges the Trump campaign is gaining momentum. Fund raising has not been harmed by the the Trump trials. According to the RNC and Trump campaign an estimated 300 million has been acquired. The trials have not negatively effected Trump in the polls. The reason Trump maintains a lead is due to economics and immigration. Inflation continues to make the cost of living difficult. The American public wants a solution to migrants and refugees coming from the southern border. President Biden's limited response to the Israel-Hamas War has created more protests. The Biden administration is losing the youth, African American, and Latino vote, which are need to win in 2024. Former president Trump has not been sentenced. If he gets prison time, this will not help the Biden campaign. The appearance of jailing a political opponent demonstrates that the Democratic Party cannot win without intervention of the legal system. The trials should have happened after the 2024 election to prevent them from looking politically motivated. The Trump trials are now just empowering his presidential campaign.     

Hillary Clinton Disparages Student Protesters

 

Hillary Clinton has expressed her distain for student protesters. Across the country university students are voicing their discontent with US support for Israel's war on Gaza. Appearing on MSNBC the former Secretary of State asserted the students did not understand history of the Middle East. The commentary was condescending and represents the arrogance of the foreign policy establishment. To call all student protesters uninformed is an insult to the universities they attend. Her attitude is common of the baby boomer generation and political centrist who do not acknowledge other perspectives. Most Americans understand that Israel was built up as an outpost to enforce US foreign policy in West Asia. Regime change in the Middle East and North Africa has resulted in the current instability. Arming terrorist organizations in Syria, invading Iraq, and bombing Libya caused a refugee crisis. Hillary Clinton as Secretary of State was involved in the coup in Honduras, the strikes in Syria, and the removal of Qaddafi in Libya. Her actions  can best be described as war crimes. Prior to these statements, Clinton offered to help the Biden campaign. Based on her comments, President Biden should distance herself from Hillary Clinton. The polls show that President Biden is struggling with the youth vote. Antagonizing university students makes reelection more difficult. Hillary Clinton ignores the fact that the William Jefferson Clinton administration failed to obtain a peace settlement. The 2000 Camp David Summit did not produce any meaningful results.  The Jimmy Carter administration was able to produce a peace treaty between Israel and Egypt. Since 1978 the Camp David Accords have held, but the future is looking less certain. Hillary Clinton's statements do not only reflect ignorance, but a disdain for those who have concerns regarding human rights in Palestine.   

Victoria Nuland Curses The European Union (2014)

 

Victoria Nuland one of America's prominent diplomats will be leaving her post. The circumstances are not clear, but it indicates that there is a problem with the direction of US foreign policy. Nuland worked under the Bush, Obama, and Biden administrations. Her goal was to get aggressive with the Russian Federation. The policy related to Ukraine was interference. Victoria Nuland back in 2014 cursed the European Union. The reason was that it was not following an anti-Russian policy. The United States under a neoconservative framework should have more influence in Europe. The European Union is viewed more like an obstacle to making the continent subordinate. Seeing as she was the US ambassador to NATO, Nuland wanted to see the military alliance expand. Ukraine was going to be a testing ground for further expansion. The phone call been the US ambassador and Nuland indicates an attempt to select Ukrainian leadership. Nuland is a reminder that no matter who is elected, the foreign policy mechanisms remain the same. Victoria Nuland leaves a legacy of destabilizing Eastern Europe.