Thursday, August 22, 2019
Endangered Species
Self -interest speaks all sorts of tongues, and plays all sorts of roles, even that of disinterestedness.
— Francois, Duc de La Rochefoucauld, Reflections
He hit a double. It all happened the week of August 11, 2019. That was the week the trump took steps to reduce protections for two endangered species. In each case the decision was made because in one case it was going to make it easier for certain taxpayers to make money, and in the other it was going to save all taxpayers money. It was a trump-type win-win.
The first group was wildlife. The headline in the Wall Street Journal said: “Endangered Species Act Protections Eased.” The New York Times headline said “U.S. Weakens Law Protecting Species at Risk.”
The Endangered Species Act was signed into law in 1973 by President Richard Nixon. It has been considered the bedrock conservation law in the country. As reported in the WSJ: “The Endangered Species Act has been credited for reviving iconic animals such as the bald eagle and the humpback whale.” The change in the rules are described as the most sweeping changes to the law since it was first enacted.
Trumpites say this action will make regulations less burdensome and will let the public see what went into a decision that declares that a species is endangered or not endangered. It removes blanket protection for threatened animals and plants. Whereas formerly, any species that was at risk of becoming endangered was entitled to the same protection as a species that had already been declared endangered, the new regulations say this will be done on a case by case basis. The regulations also shorten the time frame in which the determination may be made. As now in force, threats to a species in the “foreseeable future” are enough to require protection. Trumpites have changed the concept of “foreseeable future.” Threats are evaluated on a case by case basis, and only threats that are “likely” to occur can be considered to be in the foreseeable future. This will make it easier for new mining, oil and gas drilling, and other kinds of development to take place on land formerly off limits because of potential effects on protected species. Power plant owners, manufacturers and pipeline companies are reportedly delighted with the changes. Those concerned with the welfare of the planet, and the plants and creatures on it, less so.
The other change in policy that was announced affects another endangered species in the United States-the immigrant. The economic impact of admitting immigrants into the United States or permitting those already here to remain, gave rise to the new policy. Just as redefining “endangered species” permits a relaxation of rules protecting them, redefining the words “public charge” when considering immigrants living in the U.S. and those seeking to enter the country, has the same effect.
For many years those who legally immigrated and lived here as non-citizens have been able to apply for green cards which, when given, gave them permanent residency status in the United States. Although in theory the question of whether or not the individual involved might become a public charge could be considered, the concern about someone becoming a “public charge” was rarely invoked. The same applied to those seeking to enter the country.
The trumpsters now want to (a) reduce the number of legal immigrants who enter the country and, (b) make it more difficult for immigrants already living in this country to qualify for green cards or continue living here. The new rules expand what is meant by being a “public charge.” It now includes those who, while living here avail themselves of public housing, Medicaid services, food stamps and certain other kinds of public assistance. Those availing themselves of those benefits may find their applications for green cards will be denied because they are deemed public charges. It is thought that the new rule will probably disqualify more than 900,000 immigrants now living here from obtaining permanent residency.
Immigrants wanting to enter the country who are likely to need that kind of public assistance will be denied entry into the country because of the broadening use of “public charge.”
Describing the new rule, Ken Cuccinelli, the acting director of U.S Citizenship and Immigration Services said the new rule “is reinforcing the ideals of self-sufficiency and personal responsibility.” Explaining the new rule and putting it in historical context he said, in an interview on NPR, that the poem on the Statue of Liberty should be rewritten to provide “Give me your humble and your poor who can stand on their own two feet” thus replacing the notion of welcoming those yearning to be free.
There is, of course, a difference between the endangered species of the non-human variety and the human variety. The non-human endangered species can do absolutely nothing to alter their status. The immigrant may be able to preserve the ability to get a green card by not seeking medical help when sick, not seeking public assistance to get housing or food for the family, to name just a few of the ways that immigrants already here can enhance their chances of being permitted to stay here permanently by not being considered “public charges.” The would-be immigrants who are poor, like the plants and animals that were formerly protected by the The Endangered Species Act, have no chance. That is the kind of country trump has created.
Monday, August 12, 2019
A Dangerous and Filthy Place
— Dante Gabriel Rossetti, Letter to the Athenaeum (1871)The Stealthy School of Criticism.
It is a side of the trump we have never seen nor, indeed believed he had. It was remarkable not only for its subtlety but for the person at whom it was directed. It goes to show that wonders in this administration never cease.
I refer to the trump’s attacks on Baltimore. The language the trump used was vituperative and it threw everyone completely off the track, even Maryland Rep. Elijah Cummings. It all started on July 27th and it was cleverly done through a series of tweets.
Tweets, as followers of such things know, are series of comments that are limited in length to 280 characters. They are admirably suited to the trump since his knowledge of virtually anything that comes to his attention can always be demonstrated in 280 characters and, frequently, even fewer than that
The tweet is useful to the trump not only to announce his major policy initiatives. It is equally useful in enabling him to concisely, but without sacrificing crudity, attack the hundreds of people he dislikes. On the rare occasions when 280 characters, some of them in upper case for added emphasis, are not up to the task the trump has assigned them, he overcomes the hurdle presented by sending out multiple tweets thus enabling him to adequately vent his feelings. Occasionally he can use tweets to throw his pursuers off his scent and that is what he brilliantly did beginning on July 27, 2019.
On that day the trump emitted a series of tweets attacking Maryland Rep. Elijah Cummings. Ostensibly the tweets were occasioned by Rep.Cummings having criticized the trump treatment of immigrants at the southern border. Pretending to respond to the criticism, the trump called Rep. Cummings a “total bully” although that particular insult was cut from whole cloth since the trump assigned no reason for referring to Rep. Cummings in that way. It may have been, however, part of the trump’s clever plan to keep critics from understanding the real purpose of that particular bout of tweeting.
In pursuit of that goal, and to further mislead his critics, the trump then began attacking the city of Baltimore which is part of Rep. Cummings district. He said: “Cummings [sic] district is a disgusting, rat and rodent infested mess where no human being would want to live. If he spent more time in Baltimore, maybe he could help clean up this very dangerous & filthy place.” He said that the district represented by Rep. Cummings “is considered the worst in the USA.” In remarks before heading off on one of his many boondoggles, the trump, showing compassion for Baltimore residents, said “they were living in hell.”
What we have now been able to figure out , is that the trump was not attacking Rep. Cummings or Baltimore because he wanted to attack Rep. Cummings or Baltimore. He was trying to send a message to someone who is not only a member of his family, but a very important member of his team, Jared Kushner. Jared, as followers of such things know, is not simply the trump’s senior advisor. He has been entrusted with the task of solving many of the most pressing problems confronting the trump except, of course, North Korea, which is within the trump’s sole purview because of the beautiful friendship he enjoys with its leader.
The trump was using Rep. Cummings as a foil in order to impart a message to his son-in-law, a message he was too embarrassed to impart in person. The trump knew that if he openly admonished Jared for what was reported following his tweets about Baltimore, it could have an adverse effect on their wonderful relationship. He knew that once the tweets were publicized, the fake news would immediately disclose what the trump was too embarrassed to comment on himself. And it worked.
As soon as the tweets were reported, the Washington Post, among other publications, disclosed that Kushner Companies in which Jared is a stockholder and until 2017, the president, own close to 9,000 rental units in 17 different complexes in Baltimore. The properties generate approximately $90 million in annual revenues.
As we now know, the trump tweets were not directed at Rep. Cummings but were instead a not so subtle hint to his son-in-law that he should clean up his Baltimore act. The trump’s descriptions of Baltimore were actually descriptions of the Kushner properties.
In the 2017 calendar year alone, the properties incurred more than 200 code violations. In a report by Politico and the New York Times, tenants reported mouse infestations, maggots, black mold, collapsing dry wall ceilings and general conditions in the Kushner properties that fit perfectly the trump tweets describing Baltimore as a “disgusting, rat and rodent infested mess. If he spent more time in Baltimore maybe he could help clean up this very dangerous & filthy place.” The “he” in the trump tweet was, of course, a reference not to Cummings but to Jared.
Shannon Darrow, a program manager at the tenant advocacy group Fair Housing Action Center of Maryland said of Kushner he “has been creating a race to the bottom in terms of poorly maintained properties.” Jared is, of course, very busy with affairs of state on behalf of the trump. However, perhaps he will get the message the father-in-law tried delicately to impart to the son-in-law. The tenants in Kushner owned properties will be eagerly waiting to see if the tweets had the desired effects. Christopher Brauchli can be emailed at brauchli.56@post.harvard.edu. For political commentary see his web page at http://humanraceandothersports.com
Monday, August 5, 2019
The Perfect Friendship
A man, sir, should keep his friendship in a constant repair. — Samuel Johnson, Letter to Lord Chesterfield 1754
This space is not often used to offer succor to the Trump. Nonetheless, it seems timely to do so now, given to what all but the Trump view as deteriorating relations between him and Kim Jong Un.
Upon assuming office, the Trump, described Mr. Kim as “Rocket Man” who “is on a suicide mission.” The Trump went on to say that if the United States is “forced to defend itself or its allies, we will have no choice but to totally destroy North Korea.”
As we now know, Little Rocket Man has become the Trump’s best friend, replacing in his affections even Vladimir Putin of Russia. Their mutual affection was on display during their trysts in Singapore and Vietnam as well as on the short honeymoon trip they took together over the DMZ in Korea.
In bragging about the letters Kim has written him, letters that he frequently shows White House visitors, Trump says he and Kim fell in love. Describing one of the letters the Trump said: “It’s a beautiful piece of art. And I think we’re going to make a deal.” He expressed confidence that he would be able to achieve the denuclearization of North Korea.
Before the Singapore tryst, Mr. Kim discontinued all weapons tests, a lull in testing that lasted through the tryst in Viet Nam. In the eyes of all but the Trump’s, the honeymoon is over. Since April, the North has resumed testing missiles. On August 1, 2019 it was reported that the North had conducted a third test launch in a period of less than ten days. Numerous photos appeared of a self-satisfied Kim observing the testing.
In commenting on the renewed testing the Trump said he and Kim had never discussed short range missiles. He said: “He will do the right thing because he is far too smart not to, and he does not want to disappoint his friend, President Trump.”
The United Nations Security Council did not greet the renewed testing with the same equanimity. In a closed-door United Nations Security Council briefing on August 1, the Council said the tests violated U.N. sanctions and said Pyongyang should “take concrete steps” toward denuclearization. The Trump is no doubt downplaying the renewed testing because if it results in bringing about an end to his friendship with one of the world’s most brutal dictators, it will reflect badly on him.
The good news I bring Mr. Trump, is that there is waiting in the wings another despot who would like to befriend him and give him the opportunity to demonstrate his negotiating skills. The former despot who has offered himself as a person who can, working with the Trump, resolve one of the most difficult problems on the international scene, is Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, the former president of Iran. Mr. Ahmadinejad is not exactly a match for Mr. Kim. Mr. Kim not only arranged for the murder of his half-brother but presides over a country in which millions of its citizens are starving. Nonetheless, if events prove that he is no longer the Trump’s best friend, Mr. Ahmadinejad could be a good replacement.
Mr. Ahmadinejad became president of Iran in 2005. According to a report prepared by Amnesty International, following his election he took steps that were described as “squeezing the life out of universities.” Women were barred from taking courses deemed to be more suitable for men. Women’s rights were excluded from courses on Women’s studies. Gender segregation was enforced.
Following the 2009 presidential election in which Ahmadinejad was reelected, there were massive protests that resulted in the arrests of students, long periods of detention and in many cases torture of those detained.
On July 19, 2019, it was reported that Mr. Ahmadinejad had suggested that he and the Trump sit down together to negotiate a way out of the confrontation that threatens the peace in that part of the world, according to reports, in a long telephone interview with the New York Times Mr. Ahmadinejad said he wants to sit down with the Trump. As he explained in the interview: “Mr. Trump is a man of action. He is a businessman and therefore he is capable of calculating cost-benefits and making a decision. We say to him, let’s calculate the long-term cost-benefit of our two nations and not be shortsighted.”
If the friendship with Mr. Kim comes to an end, the world’s disappointment in that failed effort could be ameliorated by the Trump’s new found friendship with Mr. Ahmadinejad and their efforts to bring lasting peace to the middle East. That would be a success we could all celebrate. Those who anticipate that the Trump’s negotiating skills will bring about peace in the middle East should not hold their breath. If they do, they may well expire before that happens.