An enemy of the people.
Once again, it’s events concerning our southern neighbours that I’m going to kick off with. President Trump has accused some members of the media at home and presumably abroad too as being, “Enemies of the American People.” To me as a member of the media that has openly reported and sometimes criticised in opinion pieces just about anybody if the cap fitted, Trump’s comments are simply staggering. Trump, just does not want to seem to behave and act in any way shape or form like any of his forbears. I seriously wonder at how long this state of affairs can persist. My gut feeling is that change will come about as one of British Prime Minister, Harold MacMillan’s famous quotes related to his greatest fear, “Events, dear boy, events.” Investigations concerning Russia may yet prove to light the touch paper for such an event.
Far from uniting the U.S. the new administration looks to be tearing it apart at the seams. We have not seen a new travel ban but that does not mean that there won’t be one. Until congress gets some sort of grip on proceedings I don’t think we’re likely to see much legislative policy come out either. There are furious scenes from town halls across the country being broadcast. Some U.S. elected representatives may have just cause to fear not being voted in again.
When it comes to illegal immigrants living in the U.S. official estimates I have read from the Department of Homeland Security from 2013 said it thought there were 11.4 million unauthorized immigrants in the U.S. as at January 2012. Unofficial figures I have seen put that figure as high as 20 million today. Maybe it’s somewhere in between.
There are ample laws already in place to police illegal immigrants, authorities simply either haven’t had the resources or the political will to stringently enforce them, more enforcement officers are being recruited. Any illegal immigrant has already committed a crime so they are fair and relatively easy game. What will Trump do? He has already said he will build a wall along the Mexican border. Will he round up nearly 11 million people and deport them? If so, where will they be kept? In camps? Where will they go? How will they get there? What happens if they have nowhere to go? Will illegal U.S. immigrants be quietly encouraged to cross the border into Canada? What will or can the Canadian government do about that?
Aside for the massive logistical and cost issues of a mass round up there is the economy to consider. How many authorities, companies and households for that matter cast a bling eye to a ready and very cheap source of labour over the years? What would happen if that labour force disappeared over night? A big dent in the GDP I would hazard. Simple one line political solutions for the masses must be thought through as to the consequences. I don’t see much of that right now. Trade wars, treaty tear ups and tariffs still don’t seem to be off the agenda yet the market seems to continue to cheer on the Emperor in his new clothes.
North Korea has been in the news again concerning the alleged murder of North Korean leader’s half brother Kim Jong-nam with a weapons of mass destruction compound known as VX. It is alleged that this murder was perpetrated by agents of North Korea. I have read that Kim Jong-nam was a possible go to guy in the event of a North Korean regime change. I have also read that Kim Jong-nam was maybe much more interested in ladies and gambling than nuclear missiles. This is straight out of James Bond stuff. Who knows what the sub plot is here?
And now to Europe. The Greek affair rumbles on and on. Seriously guys. Greece is never going to be able to pay down this debt. In France, the game changer election looms closer. The three front runners may form a trio of, “none of the above please,” for some French voters. Francois Fillon is even more embroiled in a fake work for his wife affair, Emmanuel Macron is reported that he may have had a gay affair, which he has denied and Marine Le Pen’ has allegations, reports and even a police raid on her headquarters concerning a fake EU job for her bodyguard, Le Pen’ has denied the allegations. So, there you have it. Another soap that could derail the EU again if Le Pen’ is elected.
Brexit, once the great evil has been, I think overtaken. I expect the notice to quit Article 50 to be activated in March. Rhetoric coming out of the EU seems to be more about the UK paying a hefty bill to the EU to leave it. Presumably this is to prop up budgets. Why do many things seem to be just about the money?
On that note I’m going to quote the pope, “If you’re a Christian who exploits people, leads a double life or manages a “dirty” business, perhaps it’s better not to call yourself a believer,” said Pope Francis. “So many Christians are like this, and these people scandalize others. How many times have we heard -- all of us, around the neighbourhood and elsewhere. But to be a Catholic like that, it’s better to be an atheist. It is that: scandal.”