Buybacks could top $1 trillion.
This is much more than the bonuses and raises workers are getting because of the tax cuts.
Sad!
Month: May 2018
Climate and environment article roundup
This article states:
“Majorities of Americans say the federal government is doing too little to protect key aspects of the environment including water (69%) and air quality (64%). And two-thirds of Americans (67%) say the government is doing too little to reduce the effects of climate change. These findings come after a year of change in climate and energy regulatory policies under the Trump administration.”
This article states:
“The Trump administration disbanded a federal advisory committee on climate change last year because of concerns that it did not have enough industry representatives, according to documents obtained under the Freedom of Information Act.”
The bottom line is that the Trump administration cares more about business than the environment. They are ignoring the wishes of the people and causing irreparable damage to the environment.
Sad!
Trump. Jr. and others in the campaign met with representatives from other countries in addition to Russia
This article is about:
“Three months before the 2016 election, a small group gathered at Trump Tower to meet with Donald Trump Jr., the president’s eldest son. One was an Israeli specialist in social media manipulation. Another was an emissary for two wealthy Arab princes. The third was a Republican donor with a controversial past in the Middle East as a private security contractor.”
Trump went on a tweetstorm today but “…did not challenge the accuracy of The Times’s account, which was the first indication that countries other than Russia may have offered assistance to his campaign in the months before the presidential election. But he suggested that the breadth of the inquiry was proof that Mr. Mueller’s investigation, which he has repeatedly called a baseless “witch hunt,” was a partisan exercise geared toward harming Republican congressional candidates.”
William Eggleston’s “Red Ceiling”
This excellent article from the Oxford American discusses the William Eggleston photograph known as “Red Ceiling”. The photo was used on a Big Star album cover.
The Philadelphia Museum of Art has a copy.
The album cover is now available as a t-shirt.
I recommend the film about him which is on DVD:
Trump has no business meddling in Amazon postal costs
Trump asked the Post Office to raise shipping prices for Amazon.
This is none of his business. He’s just mad at Amazon because Jeff Bezos owns the Washington Post.
Politfact on Trump’s claim that the Post Office is losing a fortune on Amazon.
Sad!
Trump’s buying spree before the election
I don’t want anyone to suffer but I have no sympathy for Trump voters
The Mueller investigation has not gone on too long
Republicans want the investigation to wrap up but the time frame is not long compared to other investigations.
This article has time frames for other investigations:
Iran-contra: 6 years, 8 months (1986-1993)
Samuel Pierce, HUD corruption: 9 years (1990-1999)
George H.W. Bush administration, improper search of passport records: 3 years (1992-1995)
Henry Cisneros, mistress payments: 11 years (1995-2006)
Mike Espy, gifts from agriculture company: 6 years (1994-2001)
Bill and Hillary Clinton, Whitewater: 6 years 8 months (1994-2000)
Lewis “Scooter” Libby, CIA leak: 3½ years (2003-2007)
The latest on the tax law
The tax cut is not why the economy is doing well.
As predicted, much of the money is going to shareholders. This article states:
“Through the end of April, S&P 500 companies are on track to give back a record $1 trillion to investors through dividend increases and stock buybacks…”
Increased gas prices will offset some of the tax cuts.
Republican efforts to sell the tax cut law.
Republicans in competitive races are talking less about the tax cut
Trump, Jr.’s calls to a blocked number
I assume Trump, Jr.’s calls to a blocked number were to his father. I just can’t believe his assertion that they didn’t talk about it. Hopefully, the Mueller team knows who the number belongs to.
Sad! 