I don’t feel like writing today … so …
Happy Friday the 13th! Have a great weekend, friends!
Tag Archives: EU
Where Is The Logic?????
Those of you who have a toddler in the house, let me ask you a question: Do you allow your toddler to iron the laundry? No, of course you don’t for he/she would likely get the creases crooked in the pants, and then what would you look like in that next business meeting? Do you allow your toddler to load the dishes into the dishwasher? Why no, silly, for half would be turned the wrong way and never get clean! And would you allow your toddler to cook your supper? Heh heh heh … only if you like your food to come on a stick! There are good reasons that you don’t have your little one iron, clean, or cook, and the main one of those reasons is that he has no idea what he is doing when it comes to those things. Well, guess what? The ‘man’ sitting on his oversized patootie in the Oval Office is no better than your toddler in that he has no clue what he is doing.
I can tell you what he is doing … he is destroying. He is on a course to destroy the environment, society, and most recently, the economy. Yes, that economy that he has wrongfully taken credit for, that economy that he inherited from the previous administration, that economy that has been, all things considered, pretty darned good. But, not satisfied with that, he has now begun a trade war, not with our enemies … oh no, to our enemies he is most generous … but he is determined to go to war with our friends!!!
From The Washington Post, 31 May 2018
“President Trump campaigned on going hard after China for ripping off the United States on trade. Yet a year and a half into his presidency, Trump has put more tariffs on longtime U.S. allies than he has on China, his supposed “bad guy” on trade. The Trump administration announced new tariffs Thursday on the European Union, Canada and Mexico.”
Trump has been playing some game that only he understands, threatening the tariffs, then promising exemptions, then threatening again. But alas, yesterday he decided the tariffs would go into effect at midnight last night. If any of you republicans think this is a cheer-worthy move, think again. This was a foolish, foolish move for two major reasons.
First, Canada, Mexico and the European Union (EU) are our allies, our friends, the countries we count on to help in times of trouble, just as we expect to help them when needed. Friends do not treat friends this way, and the backlash is justified and expected.
The Mexican government said it would target U.S. exports of pork bellies, apples, cranberries, grapes, certain cheeses and various types of steel. Canada said it would slap dollar-for-dollar tariffs on a range of U.S. products, including whiskey and orange juice. And the European Union indicated it would levy taxes on about $7 billion worth of U.S. exports, including bourbon, Harley-Davidson motorcycles and jeans.
Reactions from our allies:
French President Emmanuel Macron called Mr Trump to tell him the tariffs were “illegal”. Mr Trump told Mr Macron there was a need for the US to “rebalance trade” with the EU.
UK International Trade Secretary Liam Fox said the 25% levy on steel was “patently absurd”, adding: “It would be a great pity if we ended up in a tit-for-tat trade dispute with our closest allies.”
Gareth Stace, head of trade body UK Steel, said the tariffs were “no way to treat your friend” and called on the government to safeguard the industry’s 31,000 jobs.
Justin Trudeau, the Canadian Prime Minister, said the US move was “totally unacceptable” and rejected the claim that his country posed a national security threat to America.
The White House received a significant amount of domestic flak, too. Both the steel industry and steelworkers’ unions decried the tariffs. Other manufacturers were no less concerned: One study suggests that the tariffs could kill up to 40,000 jobs in the automobile industry alone. One of Trump’s own, republican Senator Ben Sasse said …
“This is dumb. Europe, Canada, and Mexico are not China, and you don’t treat allies the same way you treat opponents. We’ve been down this road before — blanket protectionism is a big part of why America had a Great Depression. ‘Make America Great Again’ shouldn’t mean ‘Make America 1929 Again.’”
And Financial Times journalist Ed Luce had this to say …
“Launching a simultaneous trade war against America’s allies and adversaries conforms to no known international rules of logic. It will raise domestic prices, cut U.S. jobs and reduce America’s global influence.”
Even chief bootlicker Paul Ryan was not happy, saying the move “targets America’s allies when we should be working with them to address the unfair trading practices of countries like China”.
The second reason this is a fool’s errand, of course, is that it is a move almost certain to create economic instability both in the U.S. and across the globe. Remember that extra $5 – $6 dollars the ‘tax cut’ bill gained you on your paycheck? You will soon be spending all of that and more just to buy the same amount of food and other goods that you bought a year ago. Prices will rise, and when some cannot afford the higher prices, buying will slow, and when buying slows, manufacturers will cut jobs. That, of course, is an over-simplified explanation, but you get the idea.
Trump’s stance against globalism is ridiculous, for today’s world is a global world. Nations must engage in global trade in order to bolster their economies, and in global cooperation in order to ensure their security. It is no longer the world it was pre-WWII, but Donald Trump has no knowledge, no experience, and no willingness to listen to the experts, so he does not understand international relations or economics any better than your three-year-old understands how to iron the clothes. The difference is that your toddler will someday learn … Donald Trump will not.
We Have Met The Enemy …
… And He Is Us
Some may think that I am over-reacting when I say that Donald Trump, with his decisions last week to renege on the Iran nuclear deal and to move the U.S. Embassy to Jerusalem, has seriously jeopardized our relationship with our allies abroad. I realize that I am sometimes considered, especially by my republican friends, to be a purveyor of ‘gloom and doom’, an alarmist. But this morning I was directed to an article in the German publication, der Spiegel, a well-respected publication, that reinforces my opinion. I think it is very important that we, as citizens not only of the United States, but also of the world, realize and comprehend just what we have lost, what our friends think of us now. One can criticize ‘globalism’ as much as one likes, but the reality is that we are living in a global world, we can no longer afford to take an isolationist view, or an ‘America First’ view. We have lost much this month. We are no longer the treasured friend, but merely the tolerated annoying and untrustworthy cousin. How long before we are considered ‘the enemy’?
On the cover is this image:
Time for Europe to Join the Resistance
U.S. President Donald Trump’s decision to withdraw from the Iran nuclear deal marks the temporary suspension of the trans-Atlantic alliance. What now?
© DER SPIEGEL A DER SPIEGEL Editorial by Klaus Brinkbäumer
Trump’s renown is rooted in American hero myths. Trump says that women like Carla Bruni lust after him, something that women like Carla Bruni vehemently deny. Trump says he is exorbitantly rich, yet Trump ran himself into the ground with his casinos to the point that he was 295 million dollars in debt in 1990. He was bailed out by the banks and by his father. The greatest myth, though, has to do with Trump’s alleged negotiating expertise. This too is nonsense. Trump was never proficient in the art of the deal. As a businessman, he paid far too much for substandard properties and has shown no patience as a politician. He isn’t curious. His preparation is nonexistent. Strategy and tactics are both foreign to him. Trump is only proficient in destruction. And that’s what he does.
He backed out of the Paris climate agreement while promising a “better deal for America.” But nothing came of the promise, neither a plan nor meaningful talks. In Trump’s Washington, the only thing that matters is dismantling the legacy of his predecessor, Barack Obama. Trump also promised to improve Obama’s health care plan, but the details are complex and bothersome. So Trump destroyed Obamacare and has done nothing to replace it.
Now, he is playing the same game on the world stage with the Iran nuclear deal. Trump refers to it as “the worst deal ever,” which is why he has now pulled the U.S. out of it. The negotiations that resulted in the deal in 2015 were a masterpiece of international diplomacy, but there are no plans in place to launch new talks.
Trump wants to bring the Iran regime to its knees with sanctions, but domestic political considerations in Tehran make it unlikely that the country will buckle. Leaders who demonstrate weakness in Iran are discarded. It seems more likely that they will close ranks. Iran-supported groups like Hezbollah are likely to pour fuel on the fire of conflicts in Yemen or Lebanon — as close as possible to Israel’s border. Iran presumably won’t pursue the path of extreme escalation, since such a path wouldn’t be beneficial, but it will likely cease allowing observers into the country, stop providing information on its uranium enrichment activities. It will seek to conceal what the West would like to know.
And what are the benefits of Washington’s radical move? There are none. Just chaos where there was once order. Just American capriciousness after decades of stability.
The most shocking realization, however, is one that affects us directly: The West as we once knew it no longer exists. Our relationship to the United States cannot currently be called a friendship and can hardly be referred to as a partnership. President Trump has adopted a tone that ignores 70 years of trust. He wants punitive tariffs and demands obedience. It is no longer a question as to whether Germany and Europe will take part in foreign military interventions in Afghanistan or Iraq. It is now about whether trans-Atlantic cooperation on economic, foreign and security policy even exists anymore. The answer: No. It is impossible to overstate what Trump has dismantled in the last 16 months.[Emphasis added] Europe has lost its protective power. It has lost its guarantor of joint values. And it has lost the global political influence that it was only able to exert because the U.S. stood by its side. And what will happen in the remaining two-and-a-half years (or six-and-a-half years) of Trump’s leadership? There is plenty of time left for further escalation.
Europe should begin preparing for a post-Trump America and seek to avoid provoking Washington until then. It can demonstrate to Iran that it wishes to hold on to the nuclear deal and it can encourage mid-sized companies without American clients to continue doing business with Iranian partners. Perhaps the EU will be able to find ways to protect larger companies. Europe should try to get the United Nations to take action, even if it would only be symbolic given that the U.S. holds a Security Council veto. For years, Europe has been talking about developing a forceful joint foreign policy, and it has become more necessary than ever. But what happens then?
The difficulty will be finding a balance between determination and tact. Triumphant anti-Americanism is just as dangerous as defiance. But subjugation doesn’t lead anywhere either — because Europe cannot support policies that it finds dangerous. Donald Trump also has nothing but disdain for weakness and doesn’t reward it.
Clever resistance is necessary, as sad and absurd as that may sound. Resistance against America.
And combine that with EU President Donald Tusk’s tweet of yesterday …
“Just chaos where there once was order.” Says it all, don’t you think?
Vive La France!!!
Tonight I am pleased … almost giddy, as it were! The French exhibited great common sense and showed Ms. Marine LePen the door, electing Emmanuel Macron by a decisive margin … 66% to 34%, according to the Guardian. This despite Putin’s efforts to rig the election in favour of LePen, as he did for Trump in the U.S. election last year.
Macron’s victory speech was somber and gracious. He said he accepted that many had voted for him even though they disagreed with his programme to “defend the republic against extremism”. When he mentioned those who had voted for Marine Le Pen, there were boos and whistles from the crowd. “No, don’t whistle them. They have expressed today their anger and dismay – and sometimes convictions. I respect that. But I will do everything I can in the next five years so there is no reason to vote for extremes. Tonight, there is only the reunited people of France. The world is watching us. Europe and the world. I will serve you with love.”
The man has class. Mssr. Macron understands the divide the populist movement has wrought upon his nation and I believe he plans to do everything in his power to help heal that divide. He said he was speaking to all of France’s citizens, not just those who had voted for him. His primary task over the coming five years, he added, was to “calm people’s fears, restore France’s confidence, and gather all its people together to face the immense challenges that face us”.
Unfortunately, on the other side of the channel, they were not so gracious about Macron’s win. Had LePen won, it was likely that she would have advocated for France leaving the European Union, a Frexit, if you will. Britain’s own Nigel Farage had set up a group to advocate for just such an eventuality, and that group was more than a little put out, apparently, by the results of yesterday’s election. A tweet from the group read that that the French people had once again “rolled over” just as they had done in 1940 – except this time they saved Germany “the bullets and the fuel”. Farage himself got in on the act, tweeting: “A giant deceit has been voted for today. Macron will be Juncker’s puppet.”
Hillary Clinton, having herself been the victim of Putin’s election interference, tweeted this:
“Victory for Macron, for France, the EU, & the world. Defeat to those interfering w/democracy. (But the media says I can’t talk about that) 4:32 PM – 7 May 2017”
Donald Trump, who had supported LePen, saying she was “strongest on borders, and she’s the strongest on what’s been going on in France”, congratulated Macron and said he looks forward to working with him. Theresa May of the UK said, “we look forward to working with the new president on a wide range of shared priorities”. The aforementioned Nigel Farage tweeted, “@EmmanuelMacron offers 5 more years of failure, power to the EU and open borders. If @MLP_officiel sticks in there, she can win in 2022.”
Reactions from other world leaders:
- “Your victory is a victory for a strong united Europe and for the Franco-German friendship.” – Angela Merkel, Chancellor of Germany
- Jean-Claude Juncker, the President of the European Commission, said the result made him “… happy that the ideas that you defended of a strong and progressive Europe that protects all its citizens will be those that France will cherish under your presidency”.
- Guy Verhofstadt, the EU’s chief Brexit negotiator, said: “We supported him from the very start. I am relieved by his defeat of demagoguery and populism. I am also proud of his commitment to a social, liberal European project.”
- “The citizens of France entrusted you to lead the country in a difficult period for Europe and for the entire world community. The growing threat of terrorism and violent extremism is accompanied by an escalation of local conflicts and the destabilisation of entire regions. In these condition it is especially important to overcome mutual distrust and join forces to ensure international stability and security.” – Vladimir Putin, Russian President
Predictably, there were the naysayers, primarily in the ranks of LePen’s supporters, some responding with vitriol, mocking Macron’s wife, his platform, and whatever else they could think of, but that, I am coming to realize, is the mentality of the masses and exists in every venue. Overall, I think the western world had been holding its collective breath, and yesterday breathed a sigh of profound relief. I know I did. Vive la France!
America’s New Ambassador – Part II
Yesterday I posted portions of Trump’s interview with The London Times and Bild, his first since his upset win in the November election. Today I turn my attention to the responses to his interview from the International community, primarily the European nations. Our relationship with our allies is, and has always been, of great concern. Strong bonds have been forged which offer protection for our allies, as well as for the U.S., and any perceived weakening of those bonds makes the world less safe for us all.
A few of the post-interview headlines:
As Trump Era Arrives, a Sense of Uncertainty Grips the World
IRISH BOOKMAKER OFFERING 8-1 ODDS THAT TRUMP IS IMPEACHED IN LESS THAN SIX MONTHS
Donald Trump’s Interview on Russia, NATO and Brexit Gives Some in Europe the Jitters
In response to Trump, France’s Hollande says EU needs no advice from outsiders
Defiant EU Nations Ready Themselves for Trump Presidency
Whenever Trump speaks or tweets, he manages to ruffle some feathers. His interview last week, however, ruffled many feathers and is not likely to sit well with many European leaders who were already leery, to say the least, of a Trump regime. Though Trump’s responses during the interview were typically lacking substance, some glimmer of his intent regarding foreign policy ultimately became discernable, and it created more than a few nervous tics across the great pond. Four major areas of concern are his criticism of German Chancellor Angela Merkel, his disparagement of NATO, his response to Brexit, and his declaration of intent to impose heavy tariffs on European auto imports.
Criticism of Chancellor Merkel
At least three times, he criticized Chancellor Merkel for her stance on immigration:
“I think it was, I think it was very unfortunate what happened. And you know I have a love for Germany because my father came from Germany and, I don’t want to be in that position. You know the way I look at it, we have enough problems.”
“I think she made one very catastrophic mistake and that was taking all of these illegals, you know taking all of the people from wherever they come from. And nobody even knows where they come from. You’ll find out, you got a big dose of it a week ago. So I think she made a catastrophic mistake, very bad mistake.”
“I think it was a big mistake for Germany. And Germany of all countries, ’cause Germany was one of the toughest in the world for having anybody go in, and, uh, no I think it was a mistake. And I’ll see her and I’ll meet her and I respect her. And I like her but I think it was a mistake.”
Chancellor Merkel responded calmly: “They have been known for a while — my positions are also known. I think we Europeans have control of our destiny. I am waiting for the president to be sworn into office. That is the way it is done. And then, of course, I will work with him together.”
Trump described the European Union as “basically a vehicle for Germany” and predicted that the bloc would probably see other countries follow Britain’s example and vote to leave. While many in the EU have the same thought, it was offensive and inappropriate for an incoming U.S. president to make such a statement about one of our most important allies. Throughout Trump’s campaign and subsequent election, Chancellor Merkel has been ever-polite and politic, showing a much greater degree of professionalism than Trump.
Disparagement of NATO
“I said a long time ago that NATO had problems. Number one it was obsolete, because it was designed many, many years ago. Number two the countries weren’t paying what they’re supposed to be paying.”
It is obsolete because it has been around for a long time? Does that not, by definition, make Trump himself obsolete? Our Constitution has been around for some 230 years, as compared with NATO, which was established in 1949, or 68 years ago, making it actually younger than Trump. As to his claim that other countries are spending less on military than the U.S., while the statement is true, there are also some valid reasons. One of the core tenets of NATO membership is that each nation spend 2% of its GDP on its own military spending, in an effort to curtail using pooled NATO resources. U.S. military spending has always been larger than other nations, and since 9/11, it increased even more until today it stands at 3.62% of GDP.
When something is wrong, it usually behooves us to ask “why?” before jumping in and criticizing. Why, then, do 23 of the NATO countries not spend at least 2% of their GDP on defense? Though this answer may seem over-simplistic, the reality is that most of those countries simply cannot afford to increase their defense spending. Most have high commitments to health and retirement benefits for their aging population, higher education and healthcare spending, and other humanitarian expenditures. There are other causes for the shortfall in each individual circumstance, such as Iceland that has no military of their own. However, to make a blanket statement without researching the causes and working with these nations toward a mutually acceptable solution is a sign that Trump does not understand NATO nor international affairs at all. Some also consider it a sign that Trump does not value our alliances.
It may happen that, in light of Trump’s criticism and seeming unwillingness to aid allies in times of hostilities or threat, the other NATO nations will begin to build their military as much as they can, fearing that they can no longer rely on the U.S. If Trump should decide to pull out of NATO, it would make the entire world less safe.
Response to Brexit
“People don’t want to have other people coming in and destroying their country … People, countries want their own identity and the UK wanted its own identity … I think people want, people want their own identity, so if you ask me, others, I believe others will leave.”
Most of Trump’s comments on Brexit during the interview revolved around himself and the fact that, though he initially did not even know what Brexit was, he predicted that Brexit would be approved by voters. However, he failed to consider that Brexit is yet very much a contentious issue in the UK and elsewhere, and his comments that others would leave the EU, as well as his foolish declaration that it does not matter to the U.S. whether the EU remains strong or crumbles, were inappropriate.
French President Francois Hollande said that Europe, “has no need for outside advice to tell it what to do. Europe will always be willing to pursue trans-Atlantic cooperation, but it will base its decisions on its interests and its values.” And Danish Foreign Minister Anders Samuelsen said, “We are going to move away from, I guess, a kind of Twitter diplomacy, and then into a reality,” adding that reality could be “perhaps more difficult than what is going on on Twitter.”
On the proposed 35% tariff
Last, but definitely not least, was his threat to hit German automakers with a 35% tariff on automobiles shipped to the United States.
“I would tell BMW if they think they’re gonna build a plant in Mexico and sell cars into the US without a 35 per cent tax, it’s not gonna happen, it’s not gonna happen — so if they want to build cars for the world I would say wish them luck — they can build cars for the US but they’ll be paying a 35 per cent tax on every car that comes into the country.”
Germany’s deputy chancellor and minister for the economy, Sigmar Gabriel, said on Monday morning, “I believe BMW’s biggest factory is already in the US, in Spartanburg [South Carolina]. The US car industry would have a bad awakening if all the supply parts that aren’t being built in the US were to suddenly come with a 35% tariff. I believe it would make the US car industry weaker, worse and above all more expensive. I would wait and see what the Congress has to say about that, which is mostly full of people who want the opposite of Trump.” When asked what the U.S. automakers could do to sell more cars in Europe, Mr. Gabriel said, “Build better cars.”
Bottom line on this is any tariff that Trump imposes on foreign auto makers will cost the citizens of the U.S. It may put money in the government coffers, but it will put a significantly higher price tag on the automobiles.
According to a New York Times article , Trump’s handlers (transition team) were planning to try to smooth over some of the tensions caused by his interview and prior rhetoric. Frankly, cleaning up behind Trump may be among the filthiest jobs in the world.
Notably absent in his critiques were any negative comments against Russian President Vladimir Putin. He has not criticized Putin for seizing the Crimean Peninsula, killing his political opponents, invading Georgia (the country) or interfering with the U.S. elections. He has even indicated that he would lift the sanctions against Russia, the latest of which was in response to his invading the Crimea, and even urged the UK to lift their sanctions against Russia.
This was to be the conclusion of a two-part post, but today another interview with potentially harmful ramifications came to my attention, so stay tuned for Part III later today.
Europe’s Worst Fears … and Erdoğan’s ‘State of Emergency’
A few days ago, a friend commented on my blog that, according to Austrian weekly magazine Profil, there are four major areas of immediate concern in the world today:
- A possible Trump presidency
- Crisis in the EU as a result of the Brexit vote
- Erdogan’s increasing autocracy
- Terrorist attacks
I was surprised, yet not surprised to see that a potential Trump presidency is among the four top global concerns. The U.S. has long been considered a leader in foreign policy, and now … here we are considering perhaps the most radical madman since the days of Adolph Hitler to lead our nation … into … what?. History is cyclic, they say. History repeats itself, they say. If we in the U.S. are in abject terror of this demagogue and his lemming followers, it stands to reason that the rest of the world cringes to think of this madman with his finger on the proverbial red button. And I am working on that one … I have written post after post about the escalating danger of one so fanatical, so bigoted, so … what is the word I want? A man who admires Kim Jong-un, Vladimir Putin and Saddam Hussein … who can blame the world for being unnerved?
But today, I turn back to the 3rd on the list, President Erdoğan and the ongoing situation in Turkey since the failed coup on 15 July. It has been almost two weeks since Erdoğan declared a three-month state of emergency on 20 July, giving almost unlimited power to the president and his cabinet. What has happened in those two weeks?
One of Erdoğan’s first moves, predictably, was to further limit the power of the press. A decree published in Turkey’s official gazette demanded the closure of more than 100 broadcasters, newspapers, magazines, publishing houses and distribution companies, including three news agencies, 16 television channels, 23 radio channels, 45 newspapers and 15 magazines. Just this weekend, 17 prominent journalists were arrested (see photo above), and warrants have been issued for some 70 more. The journalists are charged with membership in a terrorist group.
Lest you begin to think that Erdoğan has no heart, in a surprising move on Thursday, he announced that he was withdrawing, as a one-time-only gesture, all lawsuits filed against people for insulting him, a move he said was triggered by “feelings of unity against the coup attempt”. “I forgive them,” he said. And yet … I see this move not as a true conciliatory gesture, but as the crumb of bread thrown out to keep the dogs at bay. Please pardon my cynicism, Mr. Erdoğan. Earlier the same day, he called for the west to “mind your own business” and harshly criticized western nations for failing to show solidarity with Ankara.
“When five-10 people die in a terror attack, you [Western countries] set the world on fire. But when there is a coup attempt against the president of the Turkish Republic, who always protects the democratic parliamentary system and who was elected with 52 percent of the general vote, instead of siding with the government, you side with the perpetrators.”
I would question the statement “always protects the democratic parliamentary system”, as we have seen evidence over the past two years that the notion of ‘democracy’ in Turkey has been diminished by Erdoğan’s policies, rather than protected. Now it would appear that Erdoğan has thrown all caution to the wind, and Turkey’s chances of joining the EU have gone from slim to none, at least for the foreseeable future.
Turkey continues to claim that the coup was a plot by exiled cleric Fethullah Gülen who currently resides Pennsylvania in the U.S., and the Turkish government demands his extradition. The Turkish government claims to have evidence to support the theory that Gulen and his followers within Turkey were responsible for the coup, while U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry says that he has not seen credible evidence. I have read what information I could find, and admittedly I can understand the Turkish claim, but there are too many unknowns, too many unanswered questions. An excellent article about this can be found in a weblog written by Dani Rodrik who was born and raised in Turkey, and is now a professor at the Harvard Kennedy School.
My initial take after the failed coup, was that Erdoğan himself may have had a hand in staging the coup as a justification to further strengthen his power and to further reduce certain democratic freedoms, most notably freedom of the press. I still consider this a distinct possibility, though I admit there may be compelling reasons to think otherwise. In a nutshell, I do not know, and am not certain whether we will ever know all the details.
Regardless of who was actually behind the coup, the results of the last two weeks have furthered President Erdoğan’s goals of weeding out many of those he saw as a threat, those who offended him. Unfortunately for the citizens of Turkey, the result has ensured that they are now more in the dark than ever and are destined to hear only that which Erdoğan chooses for them to hear. Three leading press freedom organizations have condemned the Turkish government’s crackdown on the media following the failed coup, including the UN special rapporteur on the right to freedom of expression, David Kaye. However, beyond issuing protests, these groups have little power.
I began writing this post a few days ago, but other things cropped up that I deemed more “time sensitive”, so I put it aside for a few days. In the interim, when I thought Erdoğan had given up on EU privileges, the Turkish government has said that it would have to abandon the March 18th Turkey-EU migrant deal reached with the European Union to stem the flow of migrants into the bloc if the EU did not grant visa-free travel to Turkish citizens. European Commissioner Guenther Oettinger said recently he did not see the EU granting Turks visa-free travel this year due to Ankara’s crackdown after the failed military coup in mid-July. “It is up to Turkey if there is or there isn’t visa liberalization,” Gabriel said during a trip to northern Germany, according to Reuters. “Germany and Europe should under no circumstances be blackmailed.”
Stay tuned, as I have a feeling this ball of yarn has only begun to unravel. To my U.S. readers, I just want to make the point that during the time I have been studying and writing about Erdoğan and his power-hungry tactics, I have seen remarkable similarities between his personality and that of republican candidate Donald Trump. It might behoove us all to pay closer attention to the tactics being used in Turkey, because they are not dissimilar from those that I believe Trump intends if he should win the election in November.
A Grotesque Embarrassment To Us All
Donald Trump embarrassed not only himself yesterday, but also our entire nation. To our Scottish friends, I would like to humbly apologize for this man, his vulgarity, his utter stupidity and his very existence. (Though his mother was actually born in Scotland … just saying). What now, you ask? Well ….
Donald Trump flew to Scotland to promote a golf course his company purchased on the country’s southwestern coast. His timing was incredibly horrible, and his agenda included no meetings with government or political leaders, but was strictly for his business concerns. “Traditionally, nominees travel overseas during this period to brush up their foreign policy depth and visit 10 Downing Street and Israel — for politics back here,” said Scott W. Reed, senior political strategist for the U.S. Chamber of Commerce. “Everyone knows this is the wrong thing for the nominee to be doing now, and it is amazing this can’t be stopped.”
Though he has said publicly that he is relying more on his children to run the Trump Organization, he remains closely tied to it and does not like to be away from it for long. Um … I wonder, in the unlikely event that he was to become president, when he might find time to actually run the United States?
The trip, which included his family, carries a six-figure price tag, including his Secret Service entourage, for which We The People will be forced to pay at an estimated rate of $38,000 per day. Then, of course, there was the cost of the Trump jet, which would have been around $100,000. Add in meals, which I am fairly certain were upscale events, and Mr. Trump’s already broke campaign coffers are likely to hold very little by the time he returns stateside, assuming that the costs are being charged to his campaign fund. I will be eagerly awaiting his June campaign finance report!
And all that for what? For him to embarrass us. Yep, he opened his mouth and it came out Stupid. No surprise there. Here is his Twitter message:
Just arrived in Scotland. Place is going wild over the vote. They took their country back, just like we will take America back. No games!
5:21 AM – 24 Jun 2016
The problem with this is that Scotland voted overwhelmingly to stay in the EU, not to leave! Trump did not even know this! Some of the replies to his message:
You are a fucking moron.
Scotland voted IN you moron
Scotland voted Remain, you weapons-grade plum.
Once again, Trump shows that he is a greedy, self-centered, ignorant, tone-deaf moron
Trump’s excitement about Brexit & the accompanying market crash make more sense if you recall how much he made off American misery in 2008.
No games! tweeted the goof who flew his Secret Service protection 3,000 miles to watch him talk about GOLF.
Now, the Scottish people did not seem too thrilled to have a visit from Trump. One actually raised a Mexican flag high in the air in view of his golf course, saying it was a ‘sign of solidarity for the Mexican people.” As Trump arrived at the ninth hole of his new Scotland golf course for a press conference, he was interrupted by a protester, who was swiftly removed as Trump shouted at him to “Go get a job and a haircut”. Perhaps Donnie forgot he was a visitor to another country? He certainly forgot the rules of etiquette for being a guest. One Scottish resident identified only as Jill said “Och, he’s a maniac! Horrible man. I would hate to think that anyone would really feel like that about other people, but listen to what comes out of his mouth, about Mexicans, Muslims, women …”
The people of the UK have been stressing, understandably, over the Brexit vote and it was no doubt the main thing on their minds. Scotland voted to stay in the EU, but the overall UK vote was to leave, so no doubt the Scottish people were not happy and were in no mood for the shenanigans of the braying ass. So, other than his stupid twitter message, what did Donnie have to say about Brexit (you will remember that a couple of weeks ago he didn’t even know what Brexit was)? Very little, as it turns out. He quickly twisted his speech to … well … himself and his golf course, of course. “As you know I own Doonbeg in Ireland, a phenomenal hotel. One of the most beautiful hotels. One of the most highly rated hotels in all of Europe and it’s got a golf course on this large almost 500-acre parcel of land, on the Atlantic Ocean, and does great. I own Turnberry. I own Aberdeen.” I just want to cover my head and hide in shame.
Despite his Scottish ancestry, Donald Trump made a huge fool of himself on his visit to Scotland. The really sad part is that it appears he is blissfully unaware of how utterly stupid he looked, and what an embarrassment he was to the nation he was hoping to represent. I would not blame Scotland one bit if they banned him from ever entering the country again! Hey! Perhaps they should build a wall and …. make Trump Enterprises pay for it!
About this EU Thing …
As I sit here in the late night hours, hoping to hear the final tally on Brexit, I see that my fellow-blogger Erik Hare is doing the same. I share here a few of his insights. Good night, friends, and good luck to my European readers.
I’m sitting here watching the BBC site as the results of the Brexit referendum pour in. It’s not looking good for the EU right now, and that has to give us all pause. The EU is absolutely essential, in some form, but the bureaucratic mess that has resulted isn’t necessarily helping anyone. The UK never went all in, keeping the Pound, so their view has always been a bit askance.
For far too many, it comes down to an interesting revelation. Did Germany actually “win” after all? Signs point to yes, they did. But how? What does this mean to other industrialized nations? Is there something we should all learn? Is Britain right for possibly wanting to go it alone?
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Brexit? Huh?
In just two days, the United Kingdom will vote on whether to remain a part of the European Union (EU ) or to leave, an issue known as ‘Brexit’ and one that is of concern worldwide, not just in Europe. However, one of our candidates vying to be the next U.S. President, when asked his opinion on Brexit during a 31 May press conference had the following response:
Reporter Michael Wolff: “And Brexit? Your position?”
Trump: “Huh?”
Wolff: “Brexit.”
Trump: “Hmmm.”
Wolff: “The Brits leaving the EU.”
Trump: “Oh yeah, I think they should leave.”
Forgive him, friends … he knows not of what he speaks.
Since then, Trump has decided that Britain should definably leave the EU, and to that end he has announced that he plans to travel to the UK on June 23rd, the day the British people will vote on the referendum. I have no doubt that British Prime Minister David Cameron is excited that Trump plans to come offer his expert advice. (dripping sarcasm intended)
In April, President Obama visited the UK and put his two cents worth in, saying, in part, “The United Kingdom is at its best when it is helping to lead a strong Europe. It leverages UK power to be part of the European Union.” I fully agree with what he said and honestly believe he was hoping to sway some people toward David Cameron’s hope of staying in the EU, but to a large extent it backfired, as many were offended, feeling that Obama was meddling in their affairs. Boris Johnson, the mayor of London, said “The Americans would never contemplate anything like the EU, for themselves or for their neighbors in their own hemisphere. Why should they think it right for us?” He has a point there, actually … there is already an outcry here over NAFTA (North American Free Trade Agreement), which is merely a trade treaty, much less of a commitment than the EU. I can just hear the furor now if President Obama proposed forming a NAU, or North American Union with Mexico and Canada! Although I believe Obama’s intentions were pure, perhaps he overstepped his bounds.
So, why do some 43% of Britons clearly want to leave the EU? The answer is far more complex than I could possibly cover in a short blog post, and while I have done extensive research, I still do not understand both sides of the issue well enough to write an intelligent post about it. I am sure that my European readers have a much better understanding of the issues surrounding Brexit than I. I do not know what the odds are that the UK will actually withdraw from the EU, though bookmakers continue to lay odds against the referendum passing. I can only make an educated guess at what the consequences of such an action would be, for Britain or the European Union. So, now that I have told you I am unqualified to write about Brexit, you are asking why I am writing about Brexit, right? I am not, per se, writing about Brexit, but rather from a U.S. perspective, why we should care and whether it might affect our security and economy as well. Americans tend to sometimes forget that we are a part of an international community, and as such are affected by goings-on across the globe. It would behoove us to remember this.
Economically, the fallout would likely be in two areas: investment and trade. The United States is the largest single investor in Britain, and for many firms it is the gateway to free trade with the 28 nations that make up the E.U. A Brexit could jeopardize the access of U.S. interests in the UK to those markets, potentially reducing revenue and forcing some firms to consider relocating their European operations elsewhere. The United States exported $56 billion worth of goods to Britain last year, and has some $588 billion in U.S. investment there, in sectors ranging from banking to manufacturing to real estate. Likewise, Britain has invested nearly half a trillion dollars into the United States and employs more than a million workers here. A prime example is Caterpillar, which has 16 plants employing some 9,000 people in Britain. Much of their product is exported throughout Europe and other parts of the world, eased by the E.U.’s open market and standing trade agreements. Approximately 25% of Caterpillar’s sales are in the EU and might be seriously jeopardized by Brexit. The U.S. and the EU are members of the World Trade Organization, and the framework for their trade is set by the international organization. But after a Brexit, the U.K. would be required to adopt new tariff schedules and trade regulations for Europe and the U.S.
In terms of security, it is again uncertain what the ultimate effect will be. Part of the very raison d’etre for the EU is to make the nations that comprise it stronger than the individual nations or their sum. This makes the EU a formidable ally for the western world. There is a fear that if the UK successfully pulls out of the union, a domino effect will transpire, and other nations may consider their own exits. All of which could have major security implications, especially in today’s world where international terrorism is a security threat to every nation on earth.
Even the wisest analysts cannot say with certainty what will happen in the event the referendum passes on Thursday. Some predict gloom and doom, others say the effect will be minimal, particularly here on the other side of the Atlantic. To learn more about what would happen in the immediate and long-term aftermath of a ‘yes’ vote, this article in The Guardian is the best I have found. Obviously, the effects will be much more relevant in the UK and EU themselves than for those of us in North America, however if there are major effects, I believe we will all feel the shock waves to a greater or lesser extent.
On 16 June, Jo Cox, British Labour Party politician and a Member of Parliament was murdered for her views that Britain should remain with the EU. Fellow-blogger Erik Hare of Barataria has written an excellent post about that and I encourage you to check it out. “Brexit” Turns Violent.
By the time we here in the U.S. sit down to our lunches on Thursday, enough of the vote should be in to make a call. What will happen next? Stay tuned, folks …
Barefoot and Pregnant?
I suppose it was inevitable that I would be writing, yet again, about Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan. Just when you thought it was safe to go back in the water …
Why, I ask myself, am I so fascinated with the politics of Turkey and its president? The answer, I think, is two-fold. First, he is a western leader, a powerful figure on the global playing field, and a key player in the refugee crisis. A leader who has shown the world his thirst for power and his intolerance for opposition — a very dangerous duo. But secondly, I believe that watching Erdogan’s behaviour can give us, here in the U.S., some idea of what we might expect in the unlikely event that Donald Trump were to be elected to the office of president in November. Erdogan and Trump have many similarities, the most obvious being a narcissistic personality and a very thin skin when it comes to those who do not see eye-to-eye with them. They both lash out and threaten those who they perceive as their ‘enemies’, whether real or imagined. So, think, as you read this, about our own albatross, da trumpeter, and see if you notice certain similarities. What has Mr. Erdogan done now, you ask?
First, there is his stance on women. In a speech on Sunday in Istanbul, he clarified his view of women. Here, I think I will let his comments speak for themselves:
- “You cannot bring women and men into equal positions; that is against nature.”
- “Rejecting motherhood means giving up on humanity. I would recommend having at least three children.”
- “A woman who rejects motherhood, who refrains from being around the house, however successful her working life is, is deficient, is incomplete.”
- “In this country, for years, they [women] carried out the treason of birth control.”
In March, Erdogan declared the country should “develop its own unique values of gender equality”. Well, based on the above quotes, I would certainly call it ‘unique’, though I am not sure where the word ‘equality’ fits into the picture. It is reminiscent of a phrase coined in the early 20th century by Arthur E. Hertzler, a Kansas doctor who said “The only way to keep a woman happy is to keep her barefoot and pregnant.” I understand that there are cultural differences between the ideas of the west and, say, Asian, Middle Eastern, and African nations. But, Turkey claims to be a western-style democracy, so I do not understand how Erdogan can rightfully have such misogynist ideas.
On 2 June, I published a post, Of Miss Turkey, Genocide and Divorce, about the German resolution which, if passed, would label the murder or displacement of nearly all Armenian subjects living in Turkey in 1915 as ‘genocide’. Erdogan had warned that passage of the resolution would “ … damage future diplomatic, economic, business, political and military relations between the two countries.” Well, Germany’s Parliament did, in fact, pass the resolution last week, and predictably, Erdogan is … well, perhaps ‘unhappy’ would be somewhat of an understatement.
Erdogan lashed out at the German Parliament, specifically at the 11 members who are of Turkish ancestry, saying, “What sort of Turks are they?” He then called for each of those 11 to have a blood test to verify their Turkish ancestry! WHAT??? I did not realize that a blood test could determine ancestral origins! Now, as I said in the beginning, look for similarities between Erdogan’s rhetoric and that of da trumpeter, who has repeatedly questioned President Obama’s country of origin. Need I say more?
Turkey also recalled its ambassador from Berlin … no surprise there, and I doubt that Angela Merkel is either surprised or overly-disturbed by that move. However, what is disturbing is that Cem Ozdemir, one of the 11 Parliament members of Turkish descent, has received death threats since the resolution passed last Thursday. This was apparently a result of a ‘tweet’ by the mayor of Ankara (Turkey) naming the 11 and saying they “stabbed us in the back”. According to German media, it was retweeted by many Turkish nationalists, some of whom made death threats against Ozdemir, who was one of the initiators of the German resolution. German Justice Minister Heiko Maas said he had also received many death threats from German far-right extremists. Again, can you picture this type of a response from da trumpeter and his minions? I can.
Further, Erdogan lashed out at Germany stating that Germany ” … should be the last country to vote on a so-called ‘genocide’ by Turkey. First, you have to account for the Holocaust …” The problem with his rant, of course, is that Germany does not deny the horror of the Nazi regime during World War II, and the Holocaust. Germany has worked hard to overcome the legacy left to them by Hitler, and continues to do so. Erdogan is trying to deny the Armenian Genocide.
Unfortunately for the world, Erdogan’s temperament and thin skin is almost certain to erode the EU-Turkey migrant agreement, and I cannot even begin to speculate at this time on what that will mean. Well, actually I can, but I prefer not to just yet.
I think that for both Turkey and the U.S., this quote by Turkish author Elif Shafak says it all: “If we do not speak up now, tomorrow we might lose even the rights that we take for granted today.”
Filosofa's Word 