by Pa Rock
Citizen Journalist
Donald Trump proudly crows that his administration's foreign policy is based on the concept of "America First," and he has used that guiding principle as recently as yesterday to justify his continuing support of Saudi Arabia and its royal family - even though the United States Central Intelligence Agency, under the leadership of a Trump appointee, Gina Haspell, had concluded that Saudi Arabia's crown prince bears responsibility for the killing of a journalist who was working in the United States. Trump sees continuing commerce with the desert kingdom as being far more important than a savage murder and a direct affront to America's long and proud history of a free and unfettered press.
(And, of course, Trump's well known hatred of the press and his notion that it is the "enemy of the people" folds nicely into his minimization of the Saudi murder.)
Trump has stated his fear that if the United States overreacts to the murder of the journalist, oil prices in this country would "go through the roof." The benefits of cheap gas, one must assume, run counter to one man's right to keep breathing.
As with all things espoused by Donald Trump, there is much, much more to the story than The Donald's simplistic explanation - drivel meant for consumption by doughy minds resting beneath red MAGA ball caps.
First, the United States is currently producing more of its own oil than at any time in its history - and - if there is a looming oil crisis, it is being brought on in major part by the United States interfering in Iran's ability to get its oil to market. The "crisis" is not as bad as Chicken Little would have us believe, and a good part of it is being caused by our own actions.
Donald Trump claims to have no overt business dealings with the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia - but - he has also boasted in the past: "I make a lot of money with them."
Trump may say "America First," but what he means is "Trump First." It's all about the money, honey.
Saudi Arabia is not the only example of Donald Trump's dangerous flirtations with autocratic regimes. As he showed during his recent visit to Europe to commemorate the end of the First World War, Trump never misses an opportunity to lick the boots of Russia's Vladimir Putin - even when it is not on his official schedule. If Vlad is within sprinting distance, a fawning Trump will soon be at his elbow slobbering praise.
Putin's government was fairly open in its efforts to manipulate the U.S. elections in 2016. Russian representatives met with Trump campaign officials and even with members of the Trump family - including Crown Prince Donald, Jr. The exact amount of participation that Donald Trump (Sr.) had in the treasonous affair is, as yet, unknown, but Special Prosecutor Robert Mueller could be answering that question shortly.
But what does already appear to be established as fact is that Donald Trump has been selling apartments to wealthy Russian oligarchs for years for large sums of cash. It is described by some as textbook examples of money laundering. Trump and his adult children are on record as bragging about the large sums of Russian money that flow into their businesses.
And again, it's all about the money, honey.
The first rule of United States foreign policy under the leadership of Donald John Trump is this: "Me First!" Trump and his family take care of their own interests before they give any consideration at all as to what might be good for the rest of the country. Visiting dignitaries are often feted at Trump resorts, and companies desiring to do business with the U.S. government often entertain on Trump properties and invest in pocketfuls of corporate memberships to exclusive Trump clubs and resorts.
It's the money, honey.
The levels of deceit, dishonesty, and pure greed emanating from the Trump White House are so abhorrent that they would even embarrass Richard Nixon - but a day of reckoning will soon be at hand. God save and protect Robert Mueller - because he is putting America first!
Citizen Journalist
Donald Trump proudly crows that his administration's foreign policy is based on the concept of "America First," and he has used that guiding principle as recently as yesterday to justify his continuing support of Saudi Arabia and its royal family - even though the United States Central Intelligence Agency, under the leadership of a Trump appointee, Gina Haspell, had concluded that Saudi Arabia's crown prince bears responsibility for the killing of a journalist who was working in the United States. Trump sees continuing commerce with the desert kingdom as being far more important than a savage murder and a direct affront to America's long and proud history of a free and unfettered press.
(And, of course, Trump's well known hatred of the press and his notion that it is the "enemy of the people" folds nicely into his minimization of the Saudi murder.)
Trump has stated his fear that if the United States overreacts to the murder of the journalist, oil prices in this country would "go through the roof." The benefits of cheap gas, one must assume, run counter to one man's right to keep breathing.
As with all things espoused by Donald Trump, there is much, much more to the story than The Donald's simplistic explanation - drivel meant for consumption by doughy minds resting beneath red MAGA ball caps.
First, the United States is currently producing more of its own oil than at any time in its history - and - if there is a looming oil crisis, it is being brought on in major part by the United States interfering in Iran's ability to get its oil to market. The "crisis" is not as bad as Chicken Little would have us believe, and a good part of it is being caused by our own actions.
Donald Trump claims to have no overt business dealings with the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia - but - he has also boasted in the past: "I make a lot of money with them."
Trump may say "America First," but what he means is "Trump First." It's all about the money, honey.
Saudi Arabia is not the only example of Donald Trump's dangerous flirtations with autocratic regimes. As he showed during his recent visit to Europe to commemorate the end of the First World War, Trump never misses an opportunity to lick the boots of Russia's Vladimir Putin - even when it is not on his official schedule. If Vlad is within sprinting distance, a fawning Trump will soon be at his elbow slobbering praise.
Putin's government was fairly open in its efforts to manipulate the U.S. elections in 2016. Russian representatives met with Trump campaign officials and even with members of the Trump family - including Crown Prince Donald, Jr. The exact amount of participation that Donald Trump (Sr.) had in the treasonous affair is, as yet, unknown, but Special Prosecutor Robert Mueller could be answering that question shortly.
But what does already appear to be established as fact is that Donald Trump has been selling apartments to wealthy Russian oligarchs for years for large sums of cash. It is described by some as textbook examples of money laundering. Trump and his adult children are on record as bragging about the large sums of Russian money that flow into their businesses.
And again, it's all about the money, honey.
The first rule of United States foreign policy under the leadership of Donald John Trump is this: "Me First!" Trump and his family take care of their own interests before they give any consideration at all as to what might be good for the rest of the country. Visiting dignitaries are often feted at Trump resorts, and companies desiring to do business with the U.S. government often entertain on Trump properties and invest in pocketfuls of corporate memberships to exclusive Trump clubs and resorts.
It's the money, honey.
The levels of deceit, dishonesty, and pure greed emanating from the Trump White House are so abhorrent that they would even embarrass Richard Nixon - but a day of reckoning will soon be at hand. God save and protect Robert Mueller - because he is putting America first!
1 comment:
Article I, Section 9, Clause 8 of the United States Constitution says:
"No title of nobility shall be granted by the United States: and no person holding any office of profit or trust under them, shall, without the consent of the Congress, accept of any present, emolument, office, or title, of any kind whatever, from any king, prince, or foreign state."
Cornell Law has an excellent article on the Emoluments Clause. See, https://www.law.cornell.edu/wex/emoluments_clause.
"Emoluments Clause
Also known as the Title of Nobility Clause, Article I, Section 9, Clause 8 of the U.S. Constitution prohibits any person holding a government office from accepting any present, emolument, office, or title from any "King, Prince, or foreign State," without congressional consent. This clause is meant to prevent external influence and corruption of American officers by foreign States. A similar provision was included in the Articles of Confederation, applicable to both federal and state officers. The language of the modern clause, however, suggests that only federal government officials are prohibited from accepting any emoluments.
That the phrase "Offices of Profit or Trust under the United States" applies to all appointed officials is undisputed, however there is much debate as to whether it extends to elected officials.
History does not provide a clear answer: When he served as Secretary of the Treasury, Alexander Hamilton produced a list of persons holding such offices at the request of the Senate; the list did not include any elected positions. Further, during their presidencies, while George Washington did not seek or obtain congressional consent for foreign gifts, Andrew Jackson did.
The Foreign Gifts and Decorations Act of 1966, on the other hand, enumerates several elected positions in its definition of "employees" who may not accept any gift of more than minimal value without congressional approval. Such "employees" include the President and the Vice President, a Member of Congress, and the spouses and dependents of the same.
A constitutional amendment was introduced in 1810 to modify the Emoluments Clause. The effect would have been to strip the citizenship of any U.S. citizen who accepted, claimed, received, or retained any title of nobility from a foreign government. However, this amendment was never ratified, though it is technically still pending before the states.
The interpretation of the Emoluments Clause has never been litigated before the U.S. Supreme Court.
Last updated in June 2017 by Stephanie Jurkowski.
Resources: History of the Emoluments Clause
The National Constitution Center: The Foreign Emoluments Clause
The Heritage Guide to the Constitution: Emoluments Clause"
Here is where to find the low down on that proposed amendment from 1810:
https://www.lawfulpath.com/ref/13th-amend.shtml.
Post a Comment