Reflections from news and commentary of the day
Posts
Tuesday, June 18, 2019
Meet Brother Happy: From POW to Myanmar missionary
Meet Brother Happy: From POW to Myanmar missionary: Felice Tantardini was born on June 28, 1898, in the Lecco state of Italy. Felice (which means “happy” in Italian) was the sixth of eight children born to devout Catholic parents Battista Tantardini…
The secret to joy, happiness and peace, according to St. Therese of Lisieux --Aleteia
The secret to joy, happiness and peace, according to St. Therese of Lisieux --Aleteia: "If weak and imperfect souls like mine felt what I feel," no-one would despair.
BREAKING: Trump Announces ICE To Begin Removing ‘Millions Of Illegal Aliens’ Next Week | Daily Wire
BREAKING: Trump Announces ICE To Begin Removing ‘Millions Of Illegal Aliens’ Next Week | Daily Wire: President Donald Trump announced late on Monday night that Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) will begin the process of removing illegal aliens unlawfully present in the United States.
Bishop Barron's Gospel Reflection June 18, 2019
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How much corruption can we tolerate in the church before we leave?
How much corruption can we tolerate in the church before we leave?
James Carroll's lament on Catholicism compels a 'calculus of corruption'
https://www.ncronline.org/news/accountability/how-much-corruption-can-we-tolerate-church-we-leave?clickSource=email
Monday, June 17, 2019
Bishop Barron's Gospel Reflection June 17, 2019
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A new migrant surge at the border, this one from central Africa - The Boston Globe
A new migrant surge at the border, this one from central Africa - The Boston Globe: Their arrival at the border and at two cities more than 2,100 miles apart — San Antonio and Portland, Maine — has surprised and puzzled immigration authorities and overwhelmed local officials and nonprofit groups.
Lawmakers express discomfort over teen abortions without parental consent - The Boston Globe
Lawmakers express discomfort over teen abortions without parental consent - The Boston Globe: Even before it faces its first hearing on Beacon Hill Monday, an ambitious legislative effort to expand abortion access in Massachusetts has run into opposition from lawmakers who consider it to be an overreach.
For Trump, it's all about posture, not policy | National Catholic Reporter
For Trump, it's all about posture, not policy | National Catholic Reporter: In 1993, when Sen. Patrick Moynihan coined the phrase "defining deviancy down," he was thinking in terms of cultural changes like the rise in out-of-wedlock births. Moynihan, who was brilliant, could ...
The New Catholic Left in the Turbulent 1960’s | Jack Hartjes
The New Catholic Left in the Turbulent 1960’s | Jack Hartjes: The turbulent 1960’s included the sexual revolution, feminism, the civil rights movement, worker uprisings, and the identification and rejection of Western Imperialism. These secular movements did not leave the Church untouched but gave inspiration to a new Catholic Left.
Huawei looks to Russian technology to replace Google’s Android on its smartphones — RT Business News
Huawei looks to Russian technology to replace Google’s Android on its smartphones — RT Business News: After Google cut Huawei off its Android operating system, the Chinese telecom giant is seeking alternatives to keep its smartphones working. A viable option has reportedly been found in Russia.
Pompeo, End Times, and False Flag War on Iran - Antiwar.com Original
Pompeo, End Times, and False Flag War on Iran - Antiwar.com Original: A main issue with wars, indeed Sun Tzu’s first admonition, is that war should be a last resort, not the first as Washington seems to favor. Because one - Jon Basil Utley for Antiwar.com Original
US Military Intelligence Accuses Russia of Nuclear Testing - News From Antiwar.com
US Military Intelligence Accuses Russia of Nuclear Testing - News From Antiwar.com: US Military Intelligence Accuses Russia of Nuclear Testing | DIA provides no evidence of accusation
Why the US Probably *Is* Planting Weapons Code in Russia’s Power Grid
Why the US Probably *Is* Planting Weapons Code in Russia’s Power Grid: Walrus has already started an engaging conversation on this subject. As someone deeply involved in the early development of DoD cyber operations, I wanted to add my two cents from a different angle. I am not as horrified by this development as many here are. But I am very uneasy with the apparent i
Modi wades into Eurasianism - Indian Punchline
Modi wades into Eurasianism - Indian Punchline: (Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Russian President Vladimir Putin with their delegations, Bishkek, June 14, 2019 on the sidelines of the SCO Summit.) The Bishkek Declaration, issued after the summit meeting (June 14-15) of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation devotes one sentence praising China’s Belt and Road Initiative: “The Republic of Kazakhstan, the Kyrgyz Republic, the … Continue reading "Modi wades into Eurasianism"
Transgenderism and Perfect Freedom - The Catholic Thing
Transgenderism and Perfect Freedom - The Catholic Thing: Robert Royal: We get ideas of freedom from self-indulgent entertainers, self-interested politicos, self-absorbed academics, and self-referential media.
Earth Is Moving Toward The Same Meteor Swarm That Scientists Believe Caused The Tunguska Explosion Of 1908 – End Of The American Dream
Earth Is Moving Toward The Same Meteor Swarm That Scientists Believe Caused The Tunguska Explosion Of 1908 – End Of The American Dream: Over the next several weeks, our planet will have a close encounter with the Taurid meteor swarm. It will be the closest that we have been to the center of the
A Hawaii Democrat’s Surprising Views - WSJ
A Hawaii Democrat’s Surprising Views - WSJ: Tulsi Gabbard opposes impeachment and dislikes identity politics. And she’s running for president.
Teheran will not cave to Trump's dealmaking, Opinion - THE BUSINESS TIMES
Teheran will not cave to Trump's dealmaking, Opinion - THE BUSINESS TIMES: : THE BUSINESS TIMES Opinion - AS HE was about to finish his latest letter to his buddy in Pyongyang, US President Donald Trump told himself that he now had enough material to write the second volume of his earlier bestseller, The Art of the Deal. . Read more at The Business Times.
As the World Burns, Mike Pompeo Smells a Business Opportunity | Vanity Fair
As the World Burns, Mike Pompeo Smells a Business Opportunity | Vanity Fair: The seas are rising, but the free market will figure it out. Plus people can always “move to different places.”
The Decline of MENA Students Coming to the United States: Why That’s a Problem
The Decline of MENA Students Coming to the United States: Why That’s a Problem: The Atlantic Council promotes constructive leadership and engagement in international affairs based on the central role of the Atlantic Community in meeting global challenges.
Founded in 1961, the Council provides an essential forum for navigating the dramatic shifts in economic and political influence that are shaping the twenty-first century by educating and galvanizing its uniquely influential, nonpartisan network of international political, business, and intellectual leaders. Through the papers we write, the ideas we promote, and the communities we build, the Council's ten regional centers and functional programs shape today's policy choices and foster transatlantic strategies to advance international security and global economic prosperity.
Founded in 1961, the Council provides an essential forum for navigating the dramatic shifts in economic and political influence that are shaping the twenty-first century by educating and galvanizing its uniquely influential, nonpartisan network of international political, business, and intellectual leaders. Through the papers we write, the ideas we promote, and the communities we build, the Council's ten regional centers and functional programs shape today's policy choices and foster transatlantic strategies to advance international security and global economic prosperity.
ArabDigest.org: Syria on a cliff edge
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How the FCC lost a year in “the race to 5G”
How the FCC lost a year in “the race to 5G”: Tom Wheeler explains why a "faster" marketplace approach to auctioning mid-band spectrum for 5G networks has set the U.S. back a year.
Editorial: Who watches the shepherds who watch over the sheep? Us. | National Catholic Reporter
Editorial: Who watches the shepherds who watch over the sheep? Us. | National Catholic Reporter: Who watches over the shepherds who watch over the sheep?
The answer, U.S. bishops agreed to at their meeting in Baltimore last week, are other, more senior, shepherds. That answer remains unsatisfyin...
The answer, U.S. bishops agreed to at their meeting in Baltimore last week, are other, more senior, shepherds. That answer remains unsatisfyin...
Guest Post: FUELING WAR IN YEMEN AGAINST THE WILL OF CONGRESS: AN END RUN AROUND THE CONSTITUTION BY ALLAN C. BROWNFELD
FUELING WAR IN YEMEN AGAINST THE WILL OF CONGRESS: AN END RUN AROUND THE CONSTITUTION
BY
ALLAN C. BROWNFELD
———————————————————————
Congress, with bipartisan support, passed a resolution calling for the U.S. to stop fueling war in Yemen by massive arms sales to Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates. In doing so,it sought to restore the power given to Congress by the Constitution to decide when our country goes to war. Despite the Constitution’s clear division of powers, we have gone to war in Korea, Vietnam, Iraq, Afghanistan and elsewhere without a congressional decision to do so. In April, President Trump vetoed the congressional resolution.
Both Republicans and Democrats in Congress have grown uneasy with the close relationship with Saudi Arabia. Many lawmakers in both parties also criticize the president for not condemning Saudi Atabia for the killing of Jamal Kashoggi, a Ssudi who lived in the U.S. and had written critical material about the Saudi regime. Last October, he entered the Saudi consulate in Istanbul and was never seen again. U.S. intelligence agencies say that Saudi Crown Prince Mohammad bin Salman was complicit in the killing—-something President Trump and his son-in-law Jared Kushner question. To the rest of the world, the role of the Saudi regime seems clear.
The U.S. is providing billions in U.S. arms to the Saudi-led coalition fighting against rebels in Yemen. Members of Congress have expressed concern about the thousands of civilians killed in air strikes since the conflict began in 2014 in the Arab world’s poorest country. People are suffering from a shortage of medical care and food and the country is said to be on the brink of famine.
The legal basis for providing massive aid to the Saudis—-in violation of the wishes of Congress—-is a loop-hole in the Arms Export Control Act which, in the event of an “emergency,” gives the president powers which the Constitution clearly assigns to Congress. This law, however, fails to define in any way what constitutes an “emergency.”
President Trump declared an “emergency” on May 24, to promote $8 billion in arms sales, just as he declared an “emergency” before unilaterally planning to impose tariffs on Mexico. He declared an “emergency” to use funds to build a border wall, which Congress had rejected. In an era of peace and prosperity, we seem to have an unusual number of “emergencies.”
Even one of President Trump’s closest congressional allies is now ready strip him of certain emergency powers in response to his actions to circumvent the will of Congress. “Do away with the emergency exception,” said Sen.Lindsay Graham (R-SC). Doing so, he added, would prevent the executive branch from repeating such a move in the future. “I would not have agreed to that before, but after this maneuver by the administration, count me in.”
Graham is one of several lawmakers conferring over how to change the rules governing congressional oversight of arms sales to prevent end runs around Congress, after Democrats and Republicans objected to the administration citing an unspecific threat from Iran to expedite more than $8 billion worth of arms sales.
“We’re talking about a more permanent fix so we can’t have it this way again,” said Sen. Robert Menendez (D-NJ), the ranking Democrat on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee.
Senators Graham, Menendez and others are expected to ask for a vote on 23 disapproval resolutions aimed at blocking the sales, and a bipartisan majority of senators is expected to support that effort.
Members of Congress and White House officials remain at odds over the deals’ legitimacy. The chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, Rep. Eliot Engel (D-NY), accused the administration of creating a “phony” emergency to justify the arms sales. He declared: “Here’s the reality. There is no emergency. It’s made up. And it’s an abuse of the law.”
The ranking Republican on the House Committee shared this view. Rep. Michael McCaul (R-TX) said that, “The recent use of the emergency authority, in my judgment, was unfortunate. Consulting with Congress is always the better route.” . In McCaul’s view, the “emergency” seemed less than serious if it would take months or years to complete the arms sales.
Rep, Tom Malinowski (D-NJ), a former assistant Secretary of State, declared: “The administration has provided us no evidence that the gulf countries face any substantially new threat from Iran that would justify declaring an emergency, or that these weapons, which the Saudis need to keep bombing Yemen, would even be useful if such a threat arose. If we allow these arms sales, the effect will be to prolong a war that does not serve U.S. interests, while signaling to the Saudis that they can get away with anything.”
Congress is finally showing an interest in ending our destructive role in Yemen and bringing to an end a legal loophole which permits the executive to engage in war—-and arms sales—-due to an “emergency” it is not legally required to precisely define. Pearl Harbor was an emergency. Whatever is going on in Yemen—-or at the Mexican border—-is something far different. The last thing the Framers of the Constitution had in mind was giving the executive—-of whatever party or philosophy—-the power to, in effect, rule unilaterally. Those Republicans inclined to acquiesce in such an assumption of executive power—-because their party now holds it—-should remember that when Democrats control the White House in the future, that power will then be theirs as well.
“if the administration won’t reverse its arms sales on its own, then Congress ought to assert its constitutional prerogatives and continue to do what it can to force the administration’s hand,”. said Robert Malley, President of the International Crisis Center.
Those who believe in constitutional government, in our system of checks and balances, and limited government—-which people who call themselves conservative have always embraced—-can hardly support government by manufactured “emergency,” which turns the Constiution on its head. It is time to end such arbitrary power before both parties become accustomed to a level of executive power which the Founding Fathers thought they had brought to an end.
BY
ALLAN C. BROWNFELD
———————————————————————
Congress, with bipartisan support, passed a resolution calling for the U.S. to stop fueling war in Yemen by massive arms sales to Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates. In doing so,it sought to restore the power given to Congress by the Constitution to decide when our country goes to war. Despite the Constitution’s clear division of powers, we have gone to war in Korea, Vietnam, Iraq, Afghanistan and elsewhere without a congressional decision to do so. In April, President Trump vetoed the congressional resolution.
Both Republicans and Democrats in Congress have grown uneasy with the close relationship with Saudi Arabia. Many lawmakers in both parties also criticize the president for not condemning Saudi Atabia for the killing of Jamal Kashoggi, a Ssudi who lived in the U.S. and had written critical material about the Saudi regime. Last October, he entered the Saudi consulate in Istanbul and was never seen again. U.S. intelligence agencies say that Saudi Crown Prince Mohammad bin Salman was complicit in the killing—-something President Trump and his son-in-law Jared Kushner question. To the rest of the world, the role of the Saudi regime seems clear.
The U.S. is providing billions in U.S. arms to the Saudi-led coalition fighting against rebels in Yemen. Members of Congress have expressed concern about the thousands of civilians killed in air strikes since the conflict began in 2014 in the Arab world’s poorest country. People are suffering from a shortage of medical care and food and the country is said to be on the brink of famine.
The legal basis for providing massive aid to the Saudis—-in violation of the wishes of Congress—-is a loop-hole in the Arms Export Control Act which, in the event of an “emergency,” gives the president powers which the Constitution clearly assigns to Congress. This law, however, fails to define in any way what constitutes an “emergency.”
President Trump declared an “emergency” on May 24, to promote $8 billion in arms sales, just as he declared an “emergency” before unilaterally planning to impose tariffs on Mexico. He declared an “emergency” to use funds to build a border wall, which Congress had rejected. In an era of peace and prosperity, we seem to have an unusual number of “emergencies.”
Even one of President Trump’s closest congressional allies is now ready strip him of certain emergency powers in response to his actions to circumvent the will of Congress. “Do away with the emergency exception,” said Sen.Lindsay Graham (R-SC). Doing so, he added, would prevent the executive branch from repeating such a move in the future. “I would not have agreed to that before, but after this maneuver by the administration, count me in.”
Graham is one of several lawmakers conferring over how to change the rules governing congressional oversight of arms sales to prevent end runs around Congress, after Democrats and Republicans objected to the administration citing an unspecific threat from Iran to expedite more than $8 billion worth of arms sales.
“We’re talking about a more permanent fix so we can’t have it this way again,” said Sen. Robert Menendez (D-NJ), the ranking Democrat on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee.
Senators Graham, Menendez and others are expected to ask for a vote on 23 disapproval resolutions aimed at blocking the sales, and a bipartisan majority of senators is expected to support that effort.
Members of Congress and White House officials remain at odds over the deals’ legitimacy. The chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, Rep. Eliot Engel (D-NY), accused the administration of creating a “phony” emergency to justify the arms sales. He declared: “Here’s the reality. There is no emergency. It’s made up. And it’s an abuse of the law.”
The ranking Republican on the House Committee shared this view. Rep. Michael McCaul (R-TX) said that, “The recent use of the emergency authority, in my judgment, was unfortunate. Consulting with Congress is always the better route.” . In McCaul’s view, the “emergency” seemed less than serious if it would take months or years to complete the arms sales.
Rep, Tom Malinowski (D-NJ), a former assistant Secretary of State, declared: “The administration has provided us no evidence that the gulf countries face any substantially new threat from Iran that would justify declaring an emergency, or that these weapons, which the Saudis need to keep bombing Yemen, would even be useful if such a threat arose. If we allow these arms sales, the effect will be to prolong a war that does not serve U.S. interests, while signaling to the Saudis that they can get away with anything.”
Congress is finally showing an interest in ending our destructive role in Yemen and bringing to an end a legal loophole which permits the executive to engage in war—-and arms sales—-due to an “emergency” it is not legally required to precisely define. Pearl Harbor was an emergency. Whatever is going on in Yemen—-or at the Mexican border—-is something far different. The last thing the Framers of the Constitution had in mind was giving the executive—-of whatever party or philosophy—-the power to, in effect, rule unilaterally. Those Republicans inclined to acquiesce in such an assumption of executive power—-because their party now holds it—-should remember that when Democrats control the White House in the future, that power will then be theirs as well.
“if the administration won’t reverse its arms sales on its own, then Congress ought to assert its constitutional prerogatives and continue to do what it can to force the administration’s hand,”. said Robert Malley, President of the International Crisis Center.
Those who believe in constitutional government, in our system of checks and balances, and limited government—-which people who call themselves conservative have always embraced—-can hardly support government by manufactured “emergency,” which turns the Constiution on its head. It is time to end such arbitrary power before both parties become accustomed to a level of executive power which the Founding Fathers thought they had brought to an end.
The Not So “Nice” Map of Israel – LobeLog
The Not So “Nice” Map of Israel – LobeLog: by Aaron Southlea On his recent visit to Israel, Jared Kushner presented Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu with a State Department map showing the occupied Golan Heights as part of Israel. Presiden…
FBI Never Saw CrowdStrike Unredacted or Final Report on Alleged Russian Hacking Because None was Produced – Consortiumnews
FBI Never Saw CrowdStrike Unredacted or Final Report on Alleged Russian Hacking Because None was Produced – Consortiumnews: The FBI relied on CrowdStrike's "conclusion" to blame Russia for hacking DNC servers, though the private firm never produced a final report and the FBI never asked them to, as Ray McGovern explains.
By Ray McGovern
Special to Consortium News
CrowdStrike, the controversial cybersecurity firm that
By Ray McGovern
Special to Consortium News
CrowdStrike, the controversial cybersecurity firm that
Students barred from talking of climate change in graduation speeches - Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists
Students barred from talking of climate change in graduation speeches - Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists: More than 350 students—typically valedictorians—had wanted to talk about climate change in their farewell addresses at graduation. But many said they were barred from doing so, on the grounds that the global climate emergency is too political to mention.
Vatican Document for Amazon Synod Proposes Ordaining Married ‘Elders’ as Priests | Deacon Greg Kandra
Vatican Document for Amazon Synod Proposes Ordaining Married ‘Elders’ as Priests | Deacon Greg Kandra: Details (roughly translated): The Instrumentum laboris outlines an "inculturated liturgy" : "The need for a process of discernment regarding the rituals, symbols and celebratory styles of indigenous cultures in contact with nature - reads - must be assumed in the liturgical and sacramental ritual. It is necessary to
Belt and Road Initiative: As America's power fades, China lures A
Belt and Road Initiative: As America's power fades, China lures A: Analysis: Close US allies UAE, Saudi Arabia, and Egypt are at the top of the list of Arab states that are taking advantage of Chinese interest in the region.
When Normality Became Abnormal – American Greatness
When Normality Became Abnormal – American Greatness: Donald Trump is many things. But one thing he is not is a defender of the 2009-2016 status quo and accepted progressive convention. Since 2017, everything has been in flux. Lots of past conventional assumptions of the Obama-Clinton-Romney-Bush generation were as unquestioned as they were suspect.
Why Iran Could Launch a Limited Attack | The American Conservative
Why Iran Could Launch a Limited Attack | The American Conservative: The U.S. is crushing them any way it can. Don't expect them to respond the way John Bolton wants.
When Israel Hatched a Secret Plan to Assassinate Iranian Scientists - POLITICO Magazine
When Israel Hatched a Secret Plan to Assassinate Iranian Scientists - POLITICO Magazine: And what it highlighted about the shift away from diplomacy in Israeli politics.
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