Stories We’re Watching

Macron Responds to Yellow Jacket Demonstrators

President Emmanuel Macron has promised a €100 per month minimum wage raise and tax concessions in response to recent violent protests. Demonstrators have taken to the streets over fuel tax rises and soaring cost of living. Macron cancelled a tax increase for low-income retirees and taxes on overtime pay. Although President Macron acknowledged the legitimacy of the protestors’ frustrations, he condemned the violence and refused to reinstate a tax on the wealthy. Experts estimate that the total cost for all of Macron’s promises will likely exceed €8bn since the costs will be covered by the government rather than employers.

• The Telegraph: Egypt restricts sale of ‘yellow vests’ amid fears of France-style protests
• Buzzfeed: As The Yellow Vests Torched Cars In Paris, Millions Watched At Home On Facebook Live
• BBC: France yellow vest protests: Macron promises wage rise
• New Yorker: Inside the Chaos of the Gilets Jaunes Protests

May Meets Merkel over Brexit Terms

After postponing this week’s House of Commons Brexit vote, Prime Minister Theresa May left for Brussels to attempt to save her Brexit deal and prevent a ‘no-deal’ exit from the European Union. Earlier today PM May met with German Chancellor Angela Merkel, who reportedly ruled out renegotiating the deal’s terms. The UK is expected exit–deal or no deal–in fewer than four months. Most of the difficulties have centered around the Northern Ireland backstop issue and customs border checkpoints. Customs analysts say that under the current Brexit deal, customs declarations would take up to eight hours of paperwork for a typical delivery truck.

• Financial Times: May looks to Merkel to save the day on Brexit
• The Guardian: Could Angela Merkel’s successor be Europe’s saviour?
• Reuters: After May’s appeal, Germany’s Merkel says no more Brexit negotiations
• Evening Standard: Brexit news: Speculation mounts over possible confidence vote in Theresa May

China Confirms Start of Trade Talks as Beijing Court Bans Apple iPhone Models

Earlier today Vice Premier Liu He spoke with US Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin and Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer about plans for the next stages of US-China trade negotiations. Industry analysts have pointed to uncertainty over the trade war truce reached by Presidents Trump and Xi ten days ago at the G-20 Summit. Canada’s detention of Huawei executive has further exacerbated tensions and market instability. In apparent retaliation to the detention, China has detained a former Canadian diplomat, and several Chinese organizations have threatened punishment against employees caught using Apple products.

• Reuters: Former Canadian diplomat detained in China: sources
• MarketWatch: China to slash tariffs on US auto imports to 15%
• Wall Street Journal: Europe Has Trump’s Back in China Talks
• CNN: Chinese companies are threatening to punish employees caught using Apple products

COP24: US & Australia Tell World That Fossil Fuels Will Solve Global Warming

Last week at the COP24 climate summit, Russia, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, and the US blocked attempts to adopt a major climate science study into the proceedings. The four countries blocked the full endorsement of October’s Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change’s report. The report warned that greater action is required to prevent global warming exceeding a newly-lower target of 1.5C. This week the US held an event to promote the use of fossil fuels in the fight against global warming.

• Forbes: Climate Politics Hypocrisy At COP24 In Poland
• POLITICO.eu: White House takes America First approach at COP24 summit
• The Guardian: Australia only nation to join US at pro-coal event at COP24 climate talks
• Pacific Standard: How Oil Companies Are Still Undermining the Paris Agreement
• Independent: ‘Rogue nations’ block major scientific report as US holds pro-fossil fuel event

New Trump Proposal Would Redefine WOTUS (Waters of the United States) & Weaken Clean Water Regulations

The US Environmental Protection Agency’s acting administrator, Andrew Wheeler, announced earlier today a proposal to redefine “waters of the United States” by limiting the types of waterways that fall under federal protection. Researchers say that this proposal would mean that thousands of miles of US waterways would no longer be federally protected by the Clean Water Act. Trump appointee Wheeler said that the proposal would allow individuals to decide which water on their property is subject to federal regulation.

• Wired: The Science Is Clear: Dirty Farm Water Is Making Us Sick
• UPI: Cancer-causing chemicals lead to more testing of drinking water
• Axios: New Trump proposal will weaken federal clean water rules
• NPR: Trump EPA Proposes Major Rollback Of Federal Water Protections
• The Progressive: Congress Must Take Action on Toxins

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From Deep State Radio

OUR IDIOTS ARE MORE IDIOTIC THAN YOUR IDIOTS

The Economist named former Foreign Secretary and famed unmade bed Boris Johnson as its idiot of the year.  Ed Luce of the Financial Times, joins our discussion to explain why.  Then Evelyn Farkas of the German Marshall Fund and Rosa Brooks of Georgetown University Law School defend America’s honor by describing the enormous idiot surplus America enjoys these days.  In addition, they also discuss Trump-Russia, Maria Butina, and the noose slowly closing around the American president.  So, as you can imagine, much fun was had by all.  Please join us!

THE MOST DANGEROUS MOMENT IN HALF A CENTURY: A CONVERSATION WITH DAVID SANGER

David Sanger of the New York Times discusses how the Trump Administration’s decision to pull out of the INF Treaty because of Russian non-compliance may be just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to the unwinding of the foundational nuclear agreements of the past several decades.  He describes why the INF was widely regarded as a successful agreement and why the rise of new powers may make it hard to put back together again.  And then he discusses how its undoing might also lead to the end of the key ICBM-related treaty our countries have.  And for good measure we chat about the latest in Trump-Russia and the oddity of a president who can’t seem to get anyone to accept what is often considered the second most powerful job in Washington.  Tune in!

THE PRESIDENT CAN AND SHOULD BE INDICTED AND PROSECUTED

It is time to re-examine the idea that a sitting president cannot be indicted. Following that re-examination, it will also be time to reject the idea.

First, we need to remind the majority of American people that this is not a law nor is it a constitutional requirement.  Rather the idea is a Department of Justice guideline. However, it is one that runs directly contrary to the idea that no man or woman is above the law-including the president of the United States. This is idea is a founding principle of this Republic, born of the abuses of a king. CONTINUE