Beltway Insider: Trump/Putin, Paris, Venezuela, Japan, Jobs, Assange, Kentucky Derby, John Singleton

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Category: Beltway Insider

Published on Sunday, 05 May 2019 19:15

Written by Janet Walker

President Donald Trump and his friendship with Russian President Vladimir Putin appears on the mend as the two spoke for what the president described as nearly an hour discussing the Mueller Report and the ongoing crisis in Venezuela.

According to Gallup, President Trump's job approval, which was tracked for the month of March ending on April 9, 2019 increased six percentage points to 45% of those polled who approve of his effectiveness as President and those who disapprove of his effectiveness as President decreased by six percentage points to 51%. Ratings are calculated monthly.

Trump/Putin On the Mend

President Donald Trump made mention of his lengthy phone call to Russian President Vladimir Putin where the two allegedly discussed the ongoing Venezuelan situation, which has been interpreted differently by Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, although he said they were on the same page.

The two also discussed the Mueller report and again as the public is left only to the account of the President, the actual content of the conversation and Putin's reactions are subjective. The President indicated he and Putin both wanted calm to be restored in Venezuela.

No phone transcripts were released by the White House of the President call with Putin.

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US Economy Remains Strong

The US economy remained strong with adding 263,000 jobs as hiring surged in April continuing a unprecedented growth trend which has seen 110 months of continued job growth.

President Trump has been given some credit for his leadership in keeping the economy on track and not sending the nation spiraling into an economic recession and he is taking more credit than is due.

Even as jobs have been added across the board, underemployment which does not have a category and therefore cannot be recorded and addressed continues to be the sore spot in an otherwise rosy economic report.

The strongest indicator of a weakened jobs structure remains the exorbitant and outrageous student loan debt crisis. Workers who are gainfully employed at their skill level and pay level can afford to repay their student loans.

Paris Explodes in Violent May Day Clashes

The Yellow Vest Protest which have been targeting the policies of French President Emanuel Macron for more than seven months took to the streets in force this past May Day shocking the world with the violent clashes.

Expecting violence, local business took the precaution of covering the windows with plywood in an effort to keep their business from being destroyed as the mob continued to focus on forcing Macron out. A restaurant frequented by the President and the place where his election victory was celebrated was targeted by protesters.

Before the May Day parade began fringe groups tossed rocks and bottles and the police retaliated with tear gas canisters lunched through a riot pump gun causing panic. More than 7000 police were deployed detaining nearly 200.

The May Day Parade, usually a time to usher in spring and a gentler season, was in fact a staging ground for a tide of unrest which is sweeping the nation resulting in the most violent clashes in the seven months of protests.

The Yellow Vests, who is described as a populist, grassroots political movement for economic justice, essentially France's middle class believe they are carrying the burdens of the rich and as President Macron attempts to craft policy, he is increasing adds taxes to the middle class which creates a burden.

The May Day parade, which is traditional around the world, brought out many groups each hoping to accomplish some sort of recognition. At the end of the worker's day May Day parade was held with many marching showing solidarity with causes ranging from environmental to political.

Venezuelan President Elect Juan Guaido Forces Coup

Venezuelan President Elect Juan Guaido who is international recognized as the rightful leader of the Venezuelan people, has been unsuccessful in rallying enough troops without international intervention to assume the office of the presidency.

"The United States stands with Interim President Juan Guaido, the democratically elected National Assembly, and all Venezuelans who seek to restore democracy and the rule of law. The people of Venezuela are standing up against the illegitimate, brutal rule of Nicolas Maduro, making it clear that he must relinquish power and leave the country. The United States calls on the Venezuelan military and security forces to protect all Venezuelans and accept Interim President Guaido's legitimacy and offer of amnesty," President Trump said in a Fact Sheet released by the White House.

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After a week of riots and even longer of former President Maduro, holding humanitarian support hostage, the movement which was backed by limited military was not enough to force the former leader into exile.

Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said, "A plane was on the tarmac to take Maduro to Cuba when the Russian interfered" and essentially stopped the peaceful exile. Russian, along with China and Cuba are supporters of former President Nicolas Maduro.

National Security Adviser Mike Bolton when speaking to reporters outside the White House indicated those who have been speaking with the opposition over the last three months need to make good on their commitment for a "peaceful transition of power."

The interference of Russian and Cuba in stopping the transfer of power has also been addressed by the President, who said, "The Trump Administration views interference from the Russian government and their support of the Maduro regime as extremely troublesome and unacceptable and will hold the Cuban regime accountable for any violence perpetrated by the "colectivos" and Venezuela's security services against the innocent Venezuelan people.President Trump has made it clear to Russia that they must leave and renounce their support of the Maduro regime."

As the window when the transition of power was expected has closed, without military support from regional partners, the nation will remain polarized which only harms the people. Humanitarian support is needed to provide necessities from electricity, medicine, food and water, as well as stopping Maduro from burdening the people in his power play by refusing World Humanitarian agencies from access to his nation.

Japan Emperor Abdicates the Throne

Japanese Emperor Akihito, who cited declining health and age, abdicated the throne, a position he has held since January 1989. At 85, the ailing Emperor, for the first time in over 200 years Chrysanthemum throne, resigned his position.

Emperor Akihito's first-born son, Crown Prince Naruhito, ascended to the throne and officially began his reign May 1, 2019. Emperor Akihito has since been given the title of Emperor Emeritus.

"On behalf of the American people, the First Lady and I offer our heartfelt appreciation to Their Majesties the Emperor Akihito and Empress Michiko.  As the Heisei era draws to a close and a new generation prepares to ascend the throne, I want to recognize the tremendous importance that the United States attaches to its close relationship with Japan.  Emperor Akihito welcomed five United States presidents to Japan and reigned from the end of the Cold War to the present day.  Our bilateral relationship was critical to navigating the global challenges of those times," President Trump said in a released statement.

Julian Assange Sentenced in Britain, Hearings on US Extradition

Julian Assange, the founder of Wikileaks who was forcibly removed from the Ecuadorian Embassy in April, after having spent nearly seven years in political asylum, was sentenced to 50 weeks in prison in the United Kingdom.

President Trump, once a great fan of the rouge expose site, which hacked former Presidential candidate Hillary Clinton's email and posted the information, causing deep and irreversible damage to her run for the presidency, has now essentially denied any knowledge of the site.

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Since Assange's incarceration, the United States government is seeking extradition to face allegations he helped Ms. Chelsea Manning break a code to gain access to the classified network. Manning stole more than 750,000 documents and forwarded them to Assange who posted them online jeopardizing the security of the nation. Still male at the time he was charged under the Espionage Act.

Many believe Assange should be held to U.S. justice, extradited with a complete trial and sentencing. His cohort, former Army solider who was convicted by court-martial, sentenced to prison and after seven years had her sentenced commuted by former President Obama.

Manning, who had begun a gender transition while in prison, forcing the taxpayers to foot the bill of his gender transformation, was jailed again in 2019 for failing to testify before a grand jury against Assange on the grounds she objects to the secrecy of the process. She will either eventually testify or remain in prison until the grand jury concludes its work.

Kentucky Derby Reversal

After an historic finish on a sloppy, muddy Churchill Downs track, Maximum Security, who technically came in first, after a 22-minute review was disqualified and Country Home took home the top prize at the 145th running of the Kentucky Derby.

A review of the running is unprecedented, and the winner has never been disqualified. Two jockeys alleged Maximum Security was impeding others from advancing.

The controversy is far from over as Maximum-Security owners have indicated they will file legal action. The Kentucky Derby is the first of the Triple Crown Races with The Preakness and The Belmont Stakes to follow.

Harvard's Dirty Little Secret [Provided Content]

For decades, Harvard government students warned each other to wear heavy clothing and avoid late-afternoon appointments with the university's renowned Cuba expert and one-time vice provost Jorge Dominguez to fend off his inappropriate behavior. But little was done, in what an internal report now calls a "deplorable situation" and a "prolonged institutional failure."

One year ago, the Chronicle of Higher Education published an article about sexual harassment allegations against Harvard Professor Jorge Domínguez. Subsequently, Harvard began investigating these allegations and placed Domínguez on administrative leave.

The investigation is still underway. The Weatherhead Center shares the frustration of students and colleagues about the lack of forthcoming information and the pace of the investigation. As our initial statements say, WCFIA remains committed to promoting zero tolerance of sexual harassment or gendered disparity of treatment. We take these allegations seriously and continue to take action to ensure a safer environment while acknowledging the need to do more. 

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Trailblazing Director John Singleton Dies

John Singleton, who exploded onto the scene in 1991 with the film, Boyz N the Hood, has died after a massive stroke. He was 51.

Singleton, the youngest director and first African American to be nominated for an Oscar, brought his graduate film to life and with it received global fame. He went on to direct both television and film including Poetic Justice, 2 fast 2 Furious, and episodes on Empire, Billions and American Crime Story.

He frequently recognized talent, before the mainstream Hollywood machine would recognize them including Janet Jackson, Tupac Shukur, Academy Award winner Regina King, Academy Award winner Cuba Gooding Jr., Golden Globe winner and Empire star Taraji P. Henson and Oscar nominated Terrance Howard.

His stroke came on the heels of the death of actor Luke Perry, who also died of a stroke. Singleton, who lived with hypertension, checked himself into the hospital after he lost feeling in his legs. No further reports were released other than he suffered a massive stroke upon entrance. He never regained consciousness and passed away one week later.

He was memorialized immediately by the Hollywood community many of whom expressed shock and deep sadness. He is survived by his parents and seven children. Funeral arrangements include a private ceremony slated for Monday, May 6, 2019. He will be buried at Forest Lawn Memorial Park in the Hollywood Hills.

Author's Note

Boyz N the Hood would be the only John Singleton film I would see and to this day, 29 years later, I remember it as if I walked out of the theater today. It was prolific, gritty and real, or I believed it to be an authentic depiction. Still in Long Island, South Central was a long way away from the North Shore.

Election 2020

"We're in the battle for the soul of this nation, but I've never been more optimistic about our future. If we work together, I know we can get this country back on track." Democratic Presidential candidate Joe Biden.

In this first full week of a declared Biden candidacy, the 2020 Election pool has a two-point difference between Vermont Senate Bernie Sanders and former Vice President Joe Biden.

With both considered statesmen, of equal integrity the question comes down who can defeat President Trump.

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

Sources: Whitehouse.gov, Wikipedia.com