FROLITICKS

Satirical commentary on Canadian and American current political issues

Feb 12

Unbelievable — Racism Continues to Rear Its Ugly Head In The Southern States!

by bcurry

During the Sixties, I followed and studied closely the American news media coverage related the rise of the civil rights movement in the U.S.  The incredible emergence of movements led by Dr. Martin Luther King, Malcolm X and Stokely Carmichael greatly interested me at the time as a Canadian student of American history and political science.  My studies also looked at the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee (SNCC), Congress of Racial Equality (CORE) and the Black Panther Party. With the federal Civil Rights Acts of 1964 and 1968 and other U.S. laws which ended segregation practices and moved to protect civil and voting rights, it looked like Americans were on the right track to deal with overt practices of discrimination. With the election of Barack Obama as the first black President, it looked like the U.S. had finally overcome many of the inequities of its racial past.

However, some things just refuse to change. First, there are all those statues in the U.S. dedicated to the infamous period of the Confederacy which fought against the Union forces to conserve its abominable practices involving black slavery. You would think that people would have matured enough in the eighties, nineties and today to understand the real sensitivities that African Americans have today about a history involving inequitable and inhumane treatment.  Yet this doesn’t appear to be the case.  We now have the white Governor of Virginia, Ralph Northam, and his Attorney General Mark Herring acknowledging that they wore blackface at parties in the 1980s. Unbelievable!

Although both men have apologized for appearing in blackface, many Virginians are outraged by the admissions. Sure, both were young and college students at the time, but this is no excuse.  Knowing Virginia’s racial history, both men should have known better. What’s worst, they don’t appear to see any self-evident need to resign.  The sad part of the scandal is that it shows from a cultural perspective how much further Americans need to go to deal with its racial attitudes.  Hopefully, they have learned from these incidents and will work more closely with people of all races to deal with racism in its midst.  We in Canada must also learn from our own past and history of racism and discrimination. Given that this is Black History month, we owe it to our children to learn from history and move forward together into the future.

Racism US US Politics

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Jan 17

U.S. Federal Government Leaves Public Servants and Their Communities in Economic Turmoil

by bcurry

Well, here we go again! Back in January 2018, I blogged briefly about the then federal government shutdown in Another U.S. government shutdown – is this anyway to run a country?

Now, we are almost a month into the longest shutdown of government services in U.S. history, all thanks to President Trump’s insistence on funding for a larger wall, barrier or whatever at the Mexican border. As a result, over 800,000 federal public servants have been furloughed or are working without being paid.  Needless-to-say, this is having a negative impact on most workers and an economic impact in the local communities in which they live.

Imagine, the shutdown is affecting security at airports with TSA agents calling in sick or turning to temporary jobs to make ends meet. Air traffic controllers are being forced to work extra hours because of no new personnel are graduating from their training institute.  Food safety inspectors were unable to carry out their daily inspections.  National parks, while open, have no park wardens or other employees to oversee their daily operations, often putting visitors at risk.  Homeland security personnel are also affected, including Coast Guard workers.  Farmers are forced to wait for government subsidies.  These are only a few of the key government services that are affected.

As for local communities, federal government jobs represent many of the better paying jobs in the communities. Normally fairly stable, federal workers contribute to local economies by buying homes, paying municipal taxes, volunteering, purchasing local goods and services, etc., etc.  Many public servants are highly educated and have chosen public service over working for often higher wages in the private sector.  They have chosen public service careers because of relative certainty, good pension plans and health insurance, perks that are harder to come by as an employee in corporate America. In addition, an increasingly diverse public service offers an equalizer for African-Americans and women, who are far more likely to earn high salaries working for the government than they would with a company.

Whether one supports public servants or not, the fact is that they play an increasingly major role in modern society. The on-off-again shutdowns of recent years do nothing to enhance the reputation of the government to potentials hires.  The loss of many important government services and economic contributions is not what the U.S. needs at this time. Experienced and highly-skilled employees are reconsidering their future employment options, threatening to create the potential loss of talent at a time when the federal government needs it the most.  Congress and the President need to get on with the business of governing, sooner rather than later.

Federal Government Public Service US US Politics

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Sep 28

What’s Sad — It’s Still An Old Boys’ Club In The U.S. Congress!

by bcurry

Watching Christine Blasey Ford and Brett Kavanaugh testifying on September 27th before the U.S. Senate Judiciary Committee really brought home the image of the Senate as still being an old boys’ club.  There you had a cast of old Republican senators sitting in judgement of Dr. Ford, preferring to have hired an Arizona prosecutor Rachel Mitchell to ask questions on their behalf. This was of course a political stunt to avoid giving the impression of a bunch of old guys ganging up on a woman.  What’s worse, the whole circus was conducted as if it were a criminal trial instead of a Supreme Court confirmation hearing.

This event brings me back to a recent study by the Pew Research Center in the U.S. which looked at the proportion of women to men in senior positions in governors’ seats, state legislatures, Congress, businesses and education institutions. What the study found is that only 20 percent of Congress is women, although women make up over half of the American population.  Women represent about 22 percent of senators.  The density of women in the House of Representatives is just below 1 in 5.  In both cases, most women are Democrats.  Hopefully, there could be more than 60 women who assume new seats in Congress after this November midterms — most of those women being Democrats. In addition, the Center found that Democratic presidents have had more heavily female Cabinets than Republican administrations.  There are far fewer women in Trump’s Cabinet than there were in Obama’s.

Other Western countries have achieved much more equality of government representation than the U.S., and even Canada. Moreover, Judge Kavanaugh comes from a primarily white male environment, attending the right prep schools and having the accepted middle-class conservative pedigree.  What’s there not to like, especially within the old boys’ club in Washington.  There are currently only three female associate judges on the nine member Supreme Court, with the one existing vacancy.  Just for once, maybe the President could have considered nominating another respected female jurist to the Supreme Court, conservative or otherwise.  However, unfortunately we know what Donald Trump thinks about women!

Donald Trump Federal Government US US Politics Women's Issues

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Aug 17

Mid Summer Madness of the Trump Regime – Summer of 2018

by bcurry

In recent months, actions and tweets by President Trump have become even more erratic and unpredictable than usual. His bizarre behaviour may lead some people to believe that he is suffering from heat stroke.  Let’s review what he’s been up to this past summer:

  • As a reprisal against Turkey for jailing one lone American citizen, the S. levied harsh sanctions against this NATO ally which threaten the derail that country’s economy or drive Turkey into Vladimir Putin’s circle of influence.
  • The President said local politicians “wanted a number so ridiculously high”, around $92 Million, that he canceled a planned military parade that the Pentagon had already postponed until next year. He blamed Washington officials for inflating expected costs for an unwanted parade.
  • Trump revoked former national security advisor John Brennan’s security clearance, which may be the latest sign that the president is determined to punish anyone connected to the Russia investigation. Kind of reminds one of the Richard Nixon days and the political “revenge” factor.
  • The President referred to one of his former White House staff, Amarosa Manigault Newman, as being a “dog”, in anticipation of her soon to be released book, “Unhinged”. His office also denied unconvincingly that he had never used the “N” word, a charge made by Ms. Manigault Newman.
  • He has threatened to impose tariffs on automobiles assembled abroad and on automotive parts, something that the auto industry has warned would cause all kinds of havoc and productivity losses.
  • His administration has threatened more tariffs on Chinese goods, causing major problems for U.S. supply retail and manufacturing chains.
  • Over 300 news media have issued a statement that the continued reference to “fake news” by the President is threatening to undermine the freedom of the press.
  • Etc., etc.

Yes Mr. President, it’s been a hot summer. Your administration is in constant turmoil with contradictions and outright lies flying everywhere — signs of continuing disarray. Unfortunately, when the U.S. sneezes, most other countries tend to catch a cold. The state of the world economy and politics is at stake.  Maybe it’s time to get off the ongoing campaign trail and act more Presidential.  Every tweet and personal attack now causes further consternation and disdain among Americans and allies abroad.

The summer is coming to an end, and one can only hope that the fall will bring better things. The big question is whether the November elections will bring a gust of fresh air.  It’s time for Americans to respond and support democracy by voting.  Let’s hope that common sense prevails, and the President stops acting like a mini-Musollini.

Donald Trump Uncategorized US Politics

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Jun 25

All Is Not Well in Washington, D.C.

by bcurry

It would appear that the U.S. capitol is suffering from something we could call “Trumpcolic”. The symptoms are painful and exhibit a continuous flow of wind from the intestines and bowel movements.  The smell alone can be dreadful.  This malady has affected Republicans on the Hill in particular, leaving them scurrying about in search of some medicinal relief, especially since praying has not offered any comfort.  While the cause of this epidemic is known, there appears to be no clear remedy at this time.  It’s difficult to treat since the symptoms are never consistent and change almost on a daily basis.  Indeed, the cure may be almost as bad as the disease itself.

Explanations keep emerging from the White House, but frequently are contradictory in nature. Given its almost daily instability, providing a clear prognosis has become increasingly difficult.  What is worst, the health of an entire nation is at stake!  American and foreign experts have thrown up their arms in frustration.  They have seen many a period of incontinence in the past, but nothing like this.

There are already signs that this disease has spread beyond the capitol’s boundaries. The Democrats are pushing to find a cure in the fall, while the Republicans are struggling to contain any further outbreak.  A sense of dread can be felt in all four corners of the country.  Many Americans have taken to searching out some form of immunization to protect themselves from this scourge.  Others remain convinced that the disease is fake and simply a fabrication of the established media.

Never in the history of the country have so many been challenged by such an outbreak. Despite expert opinion, no one appears to know who is to be believed anymore.  Even more important, Trumpcolic has now spread to other countries.  This has forced these countries to ally themselves in order to prevent a world-wide epidemic.  However, it may be too late because the symptoms have begun to appear in Italy, Germany, Austria, and Eastern Europe. Unfortunately, the stench is becoming that much stronger.

Donald Trump Protectionist Trade Policies US US Politics

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May 8

Much Ado About Nothing and Today’s Absorb News Coverage

by bcurry

The phrase ‘much ado about nothing’ is of course from William Shakespeare’s play – Much Ado About Nothing.  It appears that this phrase greatly applies to the political and social issues of the day and their related news coverage.  Think about many of the headlines covering news stories today in North America and abroad. Journalists appear to be more interested in the on-going saga of the current American President and a well-known porn star, a rather irrelevant royal marriage in the U.K., the Canadian Prime Minister’s ridiculous sartorial choices while in India, and the usual absurdities displayed during the recent NRA’s national convention.   With so many other much more important issues dominating the international and national scenes, you’d think that news outlets would have much better things to do than sensationalize such negligible events.  Especially since these events don’t really change anything in a meaningful way.

If anything, such events simply provide good fodder for late night comics, talk-show hosts, the tabloids and bloggers. The problem is that the average North American relies on these outlets for the majority of their news — fake or otherwise.  The real important stuff is conveniently hidden away in the back pages of print media.  The problem is also that people selectively choose what they want to hear or read, particularly if it supports their views — referred to as ‘positive reaffirmation’ by psychologists.  Moreover, getting caught up in the banalities of insignificant current events is just another form of escapism and avoidance of the real issues.

Instead, we consciously allow our leaders — political, religious or otherwise — to tell us what we should believe. No questions asked.  Opposite positions and arguments are conveniently provided for us to regurgitate upon command.  As for many of the issues being debated, we’ve been over the same points time and time again.  Maybe this is why there is so much desire for distraction and comic relief in our societies.  Such is the bread and butter for T.V. and radio talk-show hosts.  Just try watching and listening to their ramblings and that of their faithful listeners and you’ll appreciate the points that I’m making.

Let’s not complicate matters. Just give us the simple explanations.  Even better, just entertain us.  After all, Rome’s emperor, the decadent and unpopular Nero, was said to have “fiddled while Rome burned”, although fiddles actually didn’t exist in that era.

Canada Social Media The News Media US US Politics

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Apr 26

Why Is It That We Still Can’t Understand The Limitations Of Governments To Do Things?

by bcurry

Recently, I read a number of articles in reputable sources blaming governments for all kinds of things. The complaints ranged from the decline in North American manufacturing jobs to proactive policies aimed at dealing with climate change and poverty.  The problem appears to be that the authors really don’t understand just what impact government policies and programs can have in reality.  Indeed, what is the ultimate role and purpose of governing?

Let’s put it in simpler terms. Governments are needed to ensure peace and good order in a society.  They do this by creating laws, administering and enforcing them for the good of all citizens.  Governments also strive to protect the individual rights of their citizens, constitutional or otherwise.  However, unlike a century ago, societal needs have become more complex and are influenced by many other factors — from new technologies, globalization, ideologies, oligopolies, world and domestic economic institutions, the environment, etc., etc. Most of these factors are outside the direct influence or control of governments.  If anything, the impact of other factors is felt more than that of government initiatives which tend to be more reactive than proactive.

Today, hundreds of lobbyists continuously work to influence government policies, often through financial support for politicians and parties. While governments attempt to be perceived as being independent, the reality is that the most influential interest groups get their fullest attention.  For example, one only has to look at recent tax reform initiatives in the U.S. and the influence of the National Rifle Association regarding the current gun control debate. Large business organizations run the economy, not government.  President Trump is witnessing their significant influence in the current debate over free trade versus his administration’s move to increased protectionism.

Except in the case of wars, governments rarely tackle issues in a speedy and drastic way, but rather do things in a deliberately slow and incremental approach. Sometimes, politicians just want to please as many interest groups as possible so as to get re-elected in the short-term.  It’s rare that governments attempt to move quickly to tackle those longer-term issues for fear of alienating their supporters, most of whom can’t see further than the end of their noses.  Unfortunately, rightly or wrongly, critics ignore the realities of governing today’s complex societies.  Many of the issues we face today have emerged and evolved over decades of governments with varying political stripes.  In order to be re-elected, political parties are more or less forced to take “centrist” positions or face the countervailing influence of powerful interest groups.  It’s hard to govern effectively and with a longer-term perspective when the immediate primary objective is political survival.  Sorry to be so cynical, but it’s been a tough week!

Canada Federal Government Federal Government US US Politics

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Mar 26

March For Our Lives Is More Than Just A One Day Demonstration, It’s A Decade Long Campaign!

by bcurry

On March 24, 2018, hundreds of thousands of people demonstrated not only in Washington, D.C., but in hundreds of communities across the U.S., Canada, Europe and elsewhere. They demonstrated against a gun culture that threatens our lives and those of our children everyday.  None of us are immune to the violent use of guns.  In Ottawa where I live, there have already been dozens of shootings so far this year, with several people being injured or killed. As per Canadian authorities, guns are being smuggled into Canada from the U.S. on a regular basis. According to the Canada Border Services Agency, firearm seizures at the border are going up. The Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) has reported that guns are being sold illegally through the darknet, often to buyers who had no firearms licences.  At the same time, gun sales are occurring through more visible online vendors as well as internet forums.  Almost half the guns used in criminal activities have been stolen from the homes of legitimate gun owners.

Possession of handguns, favoured by most drug gangs and organized criminals, is closely regulated in Canada compared to the U.S.  Nevertheless, as a result of the illegal gun smuggling activities, there has been an increasing use of handguns in major Canadian cities.  From about 1991 on, the prevalence of handguns surpassed long-guns in Canadian homicide statistics. Fortunately, due to tighter gun control laws, there have been few shootings that have involved semi-automatic assault weapons.  The last major mass shooting using an assault rifle was on December 6, 1989, when Marc Lépine shot and tragically killed 14 women at Université de Montréal’s École Polytechnique. One result was the tightening up of long-gun control laws in Canada. However, make no mistake, there is a gun lobby in Canada and they are as active as the National Rifle Association (NRA) in the U.S.

The momentum gathered by anti-gun activists after the mass shooting at Florida’s Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School — which saw 17 people killed and several injured — is remarkable. However, the future of this latest effort to cure America of its gun obsession will need gobs of money, time, commitment and political skill. Whether the students have the resolve to see it through will determine whether they have any more success than previous anti-gun uprisings.  The lack of that persistence has been the NRA’s greatest friend to date.  Are the Democrats more willing than Republicans to risk their careers by upsetting the NRA and its many apostles?

While the older generations can sit around crippled by pessimism, today’s younger generation has not only the option but a real need to tackle this issue. Real change takes time, resources and commitment.  Do not believe that the NRA and the gun industry will not devote all its political influence and employ nasty tactics to undermine this emerging movement.  Get ready for a long haul fight and numerous setbacks in the months and years ahead.  Nevertheless, we must applaud and support the movement’s efforts.  Please do so by signing on to their petition and/or sending your friends this link: https://marchforourlives.com/sign.

Canada Gun Control Gun Laws US US Politics

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Mar 17

Yes, Donald Trump Is “Vindictive”. His Recent Actions Prove It.

by bcurry

The Oxford Dictionary defines “vindictive” as “having or showing a strong or unreasoning desire for revenge”. When I read that Attorney General Jeff Sessions had fired former FBI deputy director Andrew Mc­Cabe — a little more than 24 hours before Mr. McCabe was set to retire — the first word that came to mind was “vindictive”.  Mr. McCabe had spent more than 20 years at the FBI and was well respected by his colleagues and previous administrations. This firing comes days just after the President suddenly fired his Secretary of State, Rex Tillerson, using of all things a tweet to inform everyone.  Although not totally unexpected, Mr. Tillerson proved not to be the “yes man” desired by this President.  Again, the manner and speed in which his dismissal was carried out could be described as being “vindictive”.  After all, this was the same person that was rumored to have referred in private to Trump as being a “moron”, which I’m sure was never forgotten.

One again, following the earlier firing of former FBI Director James B. Comey, Mr. McCabe’s firing appears to be one more vindictive attack on the FBI. Remember that Trump’s administration has carried out an ongoing war with the FBI due to the agency’s work for special counsel Robert S. Mueller III’s probe into whether the Trump campaign coordinated with Russia. The FBI has also been alleged by the administration of improprieties in the handling of the Clinton email case, despite a lack of evidence supporting the allegations.  Mr. Mc­Cabe’s attorney noted that the intervention by the White House in the Justice Department’s disciplinary process is unprecedented, deeply unfair, and even dangerous.  Moreover, Mr. McCabe was a frequent target of criticism from Trump.  In addition, it was asserted by his lawyer that Mr. McCabe had not been given an adequate chance to respond to the Justice Department’s allegations.  It definitely appears that this may be a good case for a “wrongful dismissal” suit, and if won will no doubt tarnish the President’s and Attorney General’s reputations.

What’s even more troubling in recent weeks is the ongoing loss of Whitehouse staff who have either resigned or been dismissed. As one Political Scientist noted, to date there has never been so much staff turnover and turmoil occurring so early in a first Presidential term.  Way back in February 2016 I published a blog about “Donald Trump and Extreme Narcissism”  (https://froliticks.wordpress.com/2016/02/29/donald-trump-and-extreme-narcissism/).  In it, I noted about extreme narcissists that: “If challenged, they often will bully and disparage those who would dare criticize them.” For the sake of all Americans, I sincerely wish that I had been wrong in my earlier prognosis!

Donald Trump Federal Government Political Scandals US US Politics

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Feb 22

It’s Time for American Youth to Stand Up for Gun Control

by bcurry

From the 1930s through the 1960s, Saul Alinsky, a tough, pragmatic American activist and a lover of humanity, pioneered a method of helping poor and working-class people organize themselves to improve their communities, especially in crime-ridden Chicago neighbourhoods. He subsequently wrote a book entitled “Rules for Rebels” which highlighted some of the peaceful but assertive ways which allowed ordinary people to push for social change. He would immerse himself in the neighbourhood, listen to ordinary people’s troubles and needs, assess where power lay, and empower previously divided groups to seek common goals by standing up to government and corporate machines.  After the recent South Florida high school shooting and other mass shootings, you could sure use another Saul Alinsky right now.

Perhaps, just perhaps, this latest school shooting is the straw that broke the camel’s back. It was inspiring to see hundreds, if not thousands of young people organizing to protest against the lack of gun control measures in the U.S. and for changes in the gun culture. They are even planning a huge march on Washington. All of this is very good and nice, except as Alinsky would note, you need to start on-going community-based initiatives to effectively influence state and local authorities.  The youth movement must align itself with existing community and state-wide organizations to develop comprehensive and continuous plans of action.  Local, state and federal politicians have to feel the immediate heat.  The movement must use social and main stream media to get its messages out.  It must organize support wherever possible in upcoming federal and state elections for pro-gun control candidates.  There must be open and effective protest.

Do not fool oneself, for any initiatives will have to be organized on a long-term basis. There is little doubt that the National Rifle Association (NRA) and its supporters, including the arms industry, will throw everything except the kitchen sink into a counter campaign, while increasing lobbying at state and federal levels.  However, if history is any indication, further mass shootings will unfortunately occur in the U.S.  Moreover, these youth represent future leaders who must take a concrete stand against organizations such as the NRA and their appalling past and current influence on federal and state governments.

The issue of gun violence in the U.S. has existed for decades, and it will perhaps take decades to halt the evident trends. Hopefully, there are some Saul Alinskys’ among the youth of today.  Those of us who care, must support their cause and peaceful protest.  Otherwise, these horrendous tragedies will simply repeat themselves, year after year after year.

Gun Control Gun Laws US US Politics

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