Trump Recognizes Jerusalem As Capital Of Israel

Ken AshfordForeign Affairs, Godstuff, Middle East, Trump & AdministrationLeave a Comment

Trump’s speech in a nutshell: “Today we finally acknowledge the obvious: That Jerusalem is Israel’s capital,” Trump said. “This is nothing more or less than a recognition of reality. It is also the right thing to do. It’s something that has to be done.” This is the actual presidential proclamation on Jerusalem. PRESIDENT DONALD J. TRUMP’S PROCLAMATION ON JERUSALEM AS THE … Read More

We Know Now Why We Were In Niger

Ken AshfordAfrica, War on Terrorism/TortureLeave a Comment

CNN: The US Army team that was ambushed in Niger was gathering intelligence on a terrorist leader operating in the area when it was attacked, two military officials told CNN on Tuesday. The officials said the unit was not under orders to conduct a kill or capture mission on the leader, since such missions are typically reserved for other elite … Read More

Decertification Of Iran?

Ken AshfordForeign Affairs, Iran, Trump & AdministrationLeave a Comment

BREAKING: Tillerson: Trump will not withdraw from Iran nuclear deal but will say pact is not in US national security interests. — The Associated Press (@AP) October 13, 2017 TRUMP on the Iran nuclear deal: “I am announcing today that we cannot and will not make this certification.” — Sahil Kapur (@sahilkapur) October 13, 2017 These tweets are two hours … Read More

Trump’s UN Speech

Ken AshfordForeign Affairs, Trump & AdministrationLeave a Comment

Let’s be clear about Trump’s speech to the United Nations yesterday — it was an example of what he was elected for. Bombastic and in-your-face. That’s what people who voted for Trump wanted, and that’s what he displayed. It was “bad” in the sense that it was Trumpian. It was also “bad” in the sense that it projected a horrible … Read More

9/11 Plus 16 — What If Trump Was President?

Ken AshfordDisasters, History, Trump & Administration, War on Terrorism/Torture, WeatherLeave a Comment

Each year as 9/11 comes and goes, there is less added to the perspective. An entire generation is now politically aware, who cannot remember that horrible day.  Bizarre, to me. We forget that Bush, like Trump, was in the infancy of his presidency. I remember thinking that he was over his head — partly because it was unprecedented, and partly … Read More

Locked And Loaded? Really?

Ken AshfordNorth Korea, Trump & AdministrationLeave a Comment

“Locked and loaded”?  This macho shit is insane. I don’t even know what that means. LATE UPDATE FROM AN AFTERNOON PRESS CONFERENCE: Trump says "it's pretty obvious" what "locked and loaded" means. "Those words are very very easy to understand." — Ben Jacobs (@Bencjacobs) August 11, 2017 Look, giving Trump credit which he doesn’t deserve, he COULD be acting that … Read More

Don’t Let Trump Read This

Ken AshfordNorth Korea, Trump & AdministrationLeave a Comment

It’s now becoming routine — Trump’s advisers have to walk back his off-the-cuff statements… this time to avert war. From Jon Chait: The New York Times has much more detail. Trump improvised his threat without advance consultation with his advisers, none of whom support it. The paper he was holding when he made the statement was about the opioid crisis. Trump “was in … Read More

Fire and Fury

Ken AshfordNorth Korea, Trump & AdministrationLeave a Comment

North Korea best not make any more threats to the United States. They will be met with fire and fury like the world has never seen. He has been very threatening beyond a normal state. And as I said they will be met with fire, fury, and frankly power, the likes of which this world has never seen before. Trump … Read More

Will The Attorney General’s Investigation Into Leaks Snare Trump And Fox News?

Ken AshfordNorth Korea, Right Wing and Inept Media, Trump & Administration, White House SecrecyLeave a Comment

Here is a tweet from Fox News this morning at 5:30 a.m.: U.S. spy satellites detect North Korea moving anti-ship cruise missiles to patrol boat https://t.co/BPFXsLffgy — FOX & friends (@foxandfriends) August 8, 2017 By the way, that’s some serious shit, but let’s set aside the content and just note that Fox & Friends linked to a Fox News site … Read More

5.8 Earthquake off North Korea Coast

Ken AshfordBreaking News, Disasters, North KoreaLeave a Comment

Normally, I wouldn’t care, but I have to wonder if this is an earthquake.  Info coming in….   The quake was very deep – 348.2 miles (560km) below the seabed off the coast Its epicenter was 125 miles (201 km) southeast of North Korean city of Chongjin Early speculation indicated quake was man-made, as has been the case in past … Read More

Breaking: Otto Warmbier Has Died

Ken AshfordBreaking News, In Passing, North KoreaLeave a Comment

From ABC News yesterday: Over and over, Otto Warmbier apologized and begged — at first calmly, then choking up and finally in tears — to be reunited with his family. North Korean officials seated at long tables watched impassively, with cameras rolling and journalists taking notes, as the adventuresome, accomplished 21-year-old college student from suburban Cincinnati talked animatedly about the “severe crime” … Read More

Another Terrorist Attack In London

Ken AshfordBreaking News, Rightwing Extremism/Violence, War on Terrorism/TortureLeave a Comment

Last night, a van with three people drove into a crowd of worshipers in Finsbury Park, a district in North London. One person was killed, ten were injured. It was a terrorist attack, but not a typical one that garnishes worldwide press attention. Because this time, the terrorists were white and the targets were Muslim. Here’s what is known so … Read More