Extra, Extra
Defense Wins Championships: “Five former secretaries of defense are calling on Congress to hold immediate hearings on President Donald Trump’s recent firings of the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff and several other senior military leaders.” In a normal era, this would be the lead story in every outlet. Former defense chiefs call for congressional hearings on Trump’s firing of senior military leaders. “We, like many Americans — including many troops — are therefore left to conclude that these leaders are being fired for purely partisan reasons … we’re not asking members of Congress to do us a favor; we’re asking them to do their jobs.” (Somehow I don’t expect that order to be followed.)
+ Someone is Being Aided: Foreign aid is not about being nice. China eyes opportunities as US scales back humanitarian aid. “The U.S. is really battling itself … and it’s really helping China.”
+ Top Heavy: “When the math on producing goods and services only pencils out when you’re selling to the rich, it doesn’t just change the availability of designer handbags or hotel suites; it affects how entire industries organize themselves.” Amanda Mull in Bloomberg: Rich People Are Firing a Cash Cannon at the US Economy—But at What Cost? I covered this trend earlier in the week. Lux Et Veritas.
+ Se Habla WTF? “Trump has long railed against the use of languages other than English in the US: In 2015, he criticized former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush for speaking Spanish on the campaign trail, and the new administration quickly removed the Spanish-language version of the White House website soon after taking office.” Trump to sign executive order designating English as official US language.
+ Cartel-a-Vision: “Mexico has sent 29 drug cartel figures, including drug lord Rafael Caro Quintero, who was behind the killing of a U.S. DEA agent in 1985, to the United States as the Trump administration turns up the pressure on drug trafficking organizations. The unprecedented show of security cooperation comes as top Mexican officials are in Washington trying to head off the Trump administration’s threat of imposing 25% tariffs.”
+ Plot Twists: It’s so strange how the Oscar winners seem to have less to do with quality and more to do with the race that takes place after the nominations. This year, things seem more wide open than usual. I guess that makes for a better show. Oscar Predictions: What’s It Gonna Be, Academy – Strippers or Priests?
