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All smoke and mirrors

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US President Trump addresses the joint session of Congress on February 28, Reuters/UNI

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]A look at the key points of President Donald Trump’s first speech to the United States Congress and some meditations as to their merit

By Sujit Bhar

US President Donald Trump, in his first address to the Congress on the last day of February, made some specific points. Most still reflected his somewhat strange political beliefs, while some need reflection in a plane mirror. 

Here are our retorts to the highlights of the speech.

– “Recent threats targeting Jewish cemeteries as well as last week’s shooting at Kansas remind us that we are a nation that stands united in condemning hate and evil in all of its very ugly forms.”
Good, but Mr Trump quietly forgot to add that this should include even race-hate related crimes committed by White Supremacists as happened in the Kansas shooting of two Indians (as well as an American). The problem, Mr Trump, is that these hate criminals have risen through their belief in your exhortations. Would you have the courage to tackle the source?

“We’ve defended the borders of other nations, while leaving our own borders wide open, for anyone to cross.”
Agreed. There are too many armies of people walking into the US and attacking locals, taking away their jobs and creating mayhem in the US. But wait a second… anybody and everybody crossing into the US? It used to happen in places like the Republic of Congo and Angola when white armies were marching in. It happens in the US now? And, for the record, exactly which country’s borders does the US defend?

“America must put its own citizens first. Because only then, can we truly MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN.”
Again, agreed that Americans were so great they put the citizens of all other countries first. Remember the delay in joining the war against one Adolf Hitler? And, then, remember how Americans were putting the citizens of Vietnam and Cuba and Guatemala first? They were ignoring poor Americans every time. This is payback time.

“Dying industries will come roaring back to life. Heroic veterans will get the care they so desperately need.”
Let me see if I’m getting this right. American industries—steel mills, and sugar mills and cotton yarn mills and motor car factories and computer hardware factories will all be back, hire only Americans, at American wage rates, sell to Americans only (at those prices nobody else will be able to afford them) and it will be La La Land, all over again. Right?

“Our neglected inner cities will see a rebirth of hope, safety, and opportunity.”
Agreed, again. This town in Kansas, Olathe, means “beautiful” in Shawnee. Neglected? Hear this: In 2008 the US Census Bureau ranked the city as the 24th fastest-growing in all of US. And CNN/Money and Money magazine ranked it No. 11 on its list of the “100 Best Cities to Live in the United States.” None talked about predatory White Supremacist ex-military personnel living there, ready to shoot down “foreigners” especially if they looked like “Iranians”. So what if they are highly educated Indians instead? Has this anything to do with your aversion to H1B visa holders?

“The stock market has gained almost three trillion dollars in value since the election on November 8th, a record.”
This is great. Way to go, Mr Trump. Your new economic and social policies… wait a second. What economic and social policies? You have some? And I thought all the industries that make the tech-heavy indices move have all voted against you. Haven’t they? So which industries have moved? Well, okay, you have appointed Rex Tillerson as your Secretary of State. Yes, that’s the reason. Yeah.

“We have placed a hiring freeze on non-military and non-essential Federal workers.”
Great, weren’t you supposed to generate more employment? Wasn’t that your campaign speech rhetoric? We thought job creation was going at a pretty fast clip in the late Barack Obama administration.

– “We have begun to drain the swamp of government corruption by imposing a 5-year ban on lobbying by executive branch officials.”
Great. There will be no lobbying any more. In India we, too, have no lobbying. It is bad karma. Some say your top appointees were the greatest lobbyists and political influencers in the US. We understand there aren’t any more left. Good for you.

“We have cleared the way for the construction of the Keystone and Dakota Access Pipelines.”
Of course. America needs the oil it deserves, and to hell with the environment. And remember, there are billions of gallons more in Alaska.

“We have withdrawn the United States from the job-killing Trans-Pacific Partnership.”
That’s good. But job-killing? The partnership had not even laid out formal plans, nothing had started, nobody had been hired, and already jobs were being lost? That was bad.

– “To protect our citizens, I have directed the Justice Department to form a Task Force on Reducing Violent Crime.”
That task force is expected to comprise Whites only? Homogeneity is a good thing.

“We will stop the drugs from pouring into our country and poisoning our youth.”
Yes, that’s why you are building that wall. The simple, hardworking, family-minded White youths of America were being poisoned by all those “foreigners”. No wonder Adam Purinton shot down Srinivas Kuchibhotla in Olathe. If you aren’t White, you are either a terrorist or a drug dealer.

– “We will soon begin the construction of a great, great wall along our southern border.”
Finally, the wall. Let’s give you a tip. In India we have this project called MNREGA, where people dig trenches for nothing and get paid for it. Make your people rig the walls, then pay them good salaries and benefits. You will suddenly find a great number of walks to build, a great many years of huge employment.

“We are also taking strong measures to protect our nation from Radical Islamic Terrorism… It is not compassionate, but reckless, to allow uncontrolled entry from places where proper vetting cannot occur… Those given the high honor of admission to the United States should support this country and love its people and its values… We cannot allow our nation to become a sanctuary for extremists.”
Well, you have already tried the Travel Ban. We hear you are dropping Iraq in the new, improved Ban coming up. In India our Honourable Prime Minister Naredra Modi is saying the same things. Within the walls of the country, however, hate crimes are growing. We need to love our country more. We love Hindus in India, you love Whites in the US. So what’s the problem?

“As promised, I directed the Department of Defence to develop a plan to demolish and destroy ISIS.”
Err… Mr Trump, we thought you had said you already HAD a secret plan? Why not share that with the Department of Defence?

“In the last 8 years, the past Administration has put on more new debt than nearly all other Presidents combined.”
Finally, you are right. Even when the government had no funds – it stopped, remember? – Obama had to spend. This is one point you really got right.

“Our trade deficit in goods with the world last year was nearly $800 billion.”
Yes, yes, the Chinese, remember? Dump your inexpensive products in China now. Let them suffer. Oh, sorry, you cannot produce in bulk, inexpensively.

– “Right now, American companies are taxed at one of the highest rates anywhere in the world.”
That’s why they have offices in places like Ireland, where they hardly tax you. The US has been okay with this for a long time.

– “Harley Davidson told me it’s hard to do business with others because other nations tax their motorcycles at 100 per cent. They didn’t ask for a change but I AM!
The world deserves Harleys at cheap prices. I agree. These are necessities. Like you export high-priced cancer drugs.

The rest were repetitions of the same, in different words – as per reality TV lingo, they then become different subjects. But we should stop somewhere.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]

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PM Modi, Iran President Pezeshkian discuss West Asia crisis and trade ties in Delhi

PM Modi met Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian in Delhi amid West Asia tensions, with talks focusing on regional stability, seafarer safety and India-Iran ties.

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Prime Minister Narendra Modi met Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian in New Delhi on Friday for bilateral talks held on the sidelines of the BRICS Summit. The meeting came amid heightened tensions in the Middle East and focused on regional stability, maritime safety and strengthening India-Iran ties.

Pezeshkian arrived in India to attend the BRICS Summit and held discussions with PM Modi for the second time in less than two weeks. Modi had earlier met the Iranian president on August 31 on the sidelines of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Summit in Bishkek.

During Friday’s meeting, PM Modi highlighted India’s concerns over the continuing crisis in West Asia. He stressed that the safety and security of seafarers remains a top priority for India.

India also reiterated its position that a lasting solution to the regional crisis must come through dialogue and diplomacy. Energy security was another key concern, with India emphasising the need for safe passage for vessels carrying supplies.

The talks took place against the backdrop of the wider Middle East crisis, including the blockade of the Strait of Hormuz, which has raised concerns over energy security and maritime trade. 

Pezeshkian calls for greater BRICS economic resilience

Earlier on Friday, Pezeshkian addressed the BRICS Business Forum and called for greater economic cooperation among member countries.

He said BRICS should focus on strengthening its economic resilience and advocated the use of national currencies for trade among member countries. The Iranian president also argued that the grouping should work toward reducing dependence on the US dollar.

Pezeshkian criticised US sanctions and military actions, saying BRICS should create conditions where legitimate trade cannot be disrupted by the monopolisation of financial instruments.

Modi and Pezeshkian had met in Bishkek

PM Modi and Pezeshkian had last met on August 31 in Bishkek. During that meeting, Modi said India wanted to strengthen its longstanding friendship with Iran and expand and diversify bilateral trade.

The two leaders also discussed developments in the West Asia conflict. Modi reiterated India’s position that disputes should be addressed through dialogue and diplomacy and stressed the importance of protecting civilians, commercial shipping and seafarers.

During the earlier meeting, Pezeshkian had sought India’s diplomatic support in encouraging the conflicting sides to move away from violence and return to negotiations.

The latest Modi-Pezeshkian talks come as India hosts the BRICS Summit in New Delhi, with the regional crisis and its impact on the global economy forming an important backdrop to the high-level discussions.

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Trump promises $5,000 to every adult if Republicans retain Congress

Donald Trump has promised a $5,000 “Trump dividend” to every adult American if Republicans retain control of both chambers of Congress.

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Donald Trump

US President Donald Trump has promised to give every adult American $5,000 if Republicans retain control of both chambers of Congress following the November midterm elections.

Trump made the announcement while addressing the Republican midterm convention in Dallas, where he urged supporters to back his party in the November 3 election.

“If the Republicans win, you win with us and you get $5,000,” Trump said, referring to the proposed payment as the “Trump dividend.”

Trump does not specify funding source

Trump did not provide details about how the proposed payments would be financed. He said only that the US was making “so much money.”

The proposal could cost at least $1 trillion, according to the report, and its financial and political feasibility remains uncertain.

Trump also urged voters to treat the midterm election as if he himself were on the ballot, saying, “I’m asking you to pretend that I’m on the ballot.”

Trump seeks Republican victory in midterms

Trump is seeking to help Republicans retain both the House of Representatives and the Senate in the November 3 midterm elections.

The pledge comes as Trump’s approval ratings remain in the low 30s, while voters have expressed concerns over high prices and the US war with Iran.

Decision Desk HQ projects Democrats to win the House 230-205 and the Senate 51-49 in November, according to the report.

Trump also defends Iran war and tariffs

During his speech, Trump defended the US military action against Iran, saying he believed Tehran was close to developing a nuclear weapon.

He also said oil prices would fall after the US wins the war with Iran and defended his administration’s sweeping tariffs on US trade partners.

Trump further warned that the United States could become a “communist country” if Democrats win, while urging voters to support Republicans.

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Rajnath Singh meets Sri Lankan president, discusses regional security

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh met Sri Lankan President Anura Kumara Dissanayake in Colombo to discuss regional security and bilateral defence cooperation.

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Rajnath Singh

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Wednesday met Sri Lankan President Anura Kumara Dissanayake in Colombo, with the two leaders discussing the broad India-Sri Lanka partnership and cooperation to promote regional safety, security, peace and prosperity.

Singh arrived in Sri Lanka on Tuesday for a three-day visit. During his meeting with Dissanayake, he conveyed Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s greetings and congratulated the Sri Lankan president on the completion of two years of his government.

India, Sri Lanka reaffirm regional cooperation

According to the Ministry of Defence, the two sides reaffirmed their commitment to working together as close neighbours and maritime partners for the development and welfare of their people.

They also emphasised cooperation to ensure the safety, security, peace and prosperity of the region. The meeting comes during Singh’s first visit to Sri Lanka as India’s defence minister in 38 years.

Dissanayake recalled his interactions with Prime Minister Modi and reiterated that Sri Lanka would not allow its territory to be used for activities that could harm India’s security interests.

The Sri Lankan president also thanked India for the relief assistance provided under Operation Sagar Bandhu during Cyclone Ditwah and for the rehabilitation package extended by New Delhi for reconstruction and rehabilitation efforts. Singh said India viewed its support to Sri Lanka not as a favour but as a responsibility as a close friend and neighbour.

India, Sri Lanka exchange defence cooperation MoUs

The two countries also exchanged memoranda of understanding covering the upgrading of L70 guns for the Sri Lankan Air Force and cooperation between the National Cadet Corps and the National Defence Colleges of India and Sri Lanka.

Under one MoU, six L70 guns earlier provided by India to the Sri Lanka Air Force will be upgraded under an Indian government grant. The Ministry of Defence said the upgrade would strengthen the air defence architecture protecting critical assets in Sri Lanka.

Another agreement between the National Defence Colleges of the two countries will facilitate academic cooperation and knowledge sharing.

The NCC cooperation agreement will formalise a youth exchange programme, allowing NCC cadets from different countries to participate in events in New Delhi.

Bailey bridges inaugurated

During the meeting, Singh and Dissanayake virtually inaugurated three Bailey bridges constructed by Indian defence forces.

Singh also said during his interaction with the Indian diaspora on Tuesday that India would continue to stand with Sri Lanka during times of crisis. He highlighted the relationship between the two countries as being rooted in shared history, culture and faith.

Singh is leading a high-level delegation comprising senior officials from the ministries of defence and external affairs during his Sri Lanka visit.

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