English हिन्दी
Connect with us

Latest world news

All smoke and mirrors

Published

on

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]

Latest world news

PoK protest leader seeks India’s help amid Pakistan crackdown, alleges humanitarian crisis

JAAC leader Sardar Aman Khan has appealed to India for humanitarian assistance, alleging shortages of food and medicines amid Pakistan’s crackdown on protesters in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir.

Published

on

The leader of the Joint Awami Action Committee (JAAC), Sardar Aman Khan, has appealed to India for humanitarian assistance amid the ongoing unrest in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK), claiming that the region is facing severe shortages of essential supplies following a crackdown by Pakistani authorities.

According to Khan, residents are struggling to access food and medicines as security operations against protesters continue. He also urged India to consider opening the Line of Control (LoC) to allow humanitarian assistance and provide civilians with the option of crossing into India if the situation worsens.

JAAC chief calls for humanitarian assistance

Speaking at a public gathering, Khan claimed that an economic blockade imposed after the crackdown had created serious hardships for people in the region.

In a video that has circulated widely on social media, he is heard saying that PoK residents need India’s assistance due to shortages of essential commodities.

He also appealed for the opening of crossing points along the LoC, particularly in the Poonch and Doda sectors, alleging that the ongoing restrictions had further intensified the humanitarian situation.

During the rally at Rawalakot’s Eidgah Ground, Khan asked the crowd whether they should move towards the Line of Control. The gathering repeatedly responded in support of the proposal.

He further warned that if public demands continued to be met with force, people could consider other options.

It is important to note that the authenticity of the viral video, reportedly from Khan’s June 30 rally, has not been independently verified.

Protests continue across PoK

The appeal comes as demonstrations continue across Pakistan-occupied Kashmir, where protests against the Pakistani administration have been ongoing since last month.

During a recent rally at Eidgah Ground, protesters raised slogans including “PoK is not part of Pakistan” and “We want freedom,” indicating that the movement has expanded beyond demands for reforms to include calls for independence from Pakistan’s political control over the region.

Crackdown follows ban on JAAC

The unrest intensified after Pakistani authorities banned the Joint Awami Action Committee on June 5, designating the grassroots organisation as a terrorist group.

According to a recent report by the International Centre for Peace Studies, Pakistan has historically exercised significant political control over Pakistan-occupied Kashmir and Pakistan-occupied Gilgit-Baltistan through mainstream political parties aligned with Islamabad.

The report also noted that the ruling party in Islamabad has consistently won elections in both regions, suggesting a long-standing pattern of political influence.

Meanwhile, several analysts have argued that the ongoing crisis reflects growing dissatisfaction among local residents with the regional administration, which they describe as lacking independent authority. They also contend that the ban on the JAAC and the use of force against protesters are part of broader efforts to suppress the expanding protest movement.

Continue Reading

Latest world news

Death to Trump chants heard during Ayatollah Ali Khamenei’s funeral appearance in Iran

Crowds at a funeral ceremony attended by Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei chanted “Death to Trump” as regional tensions remained high following the recent Iran-Israel conflict.

Published

on

donald-trump

Crowds attending a funeral ceremony in Iran raised chants of “Death to Trump” as the country’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, made a public appearance during the event.

The slogans were heard as thousands gathered to pay tribute to those killed during the recent conflict involving Iran and Israel. The ceremony also marked one of Ayatollah Khamenei’s notable public appearances after the military escalation that had heightened tensions across the region.

Anti-US slogans raised during ceremony

Videos circulating from the funeral ceremony showed mourners chanting “Death to America” and “Death to Trump” while Ayatollah Khamenei attended the event. Such slogans have long been associated with state-backed public gatherings in Iran and were repeated during the ceremony attended by senior Iranian officials and large crowds.

The funeral was held to honour military commanders, nuclear scientists and other individuals who Iran says were killed during the recent conflict. The gathering drew thousands of people to the capital, where processions and official tributes were organised.

Public appearance after recent conflict

Ayatollah Khamenei’s appearance came after weeks of heightened tensions in the Middle East following Israeli strikes on Iranian targets and subsequent military exchanges between the two countries. The conflict also saw the United States carry out strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities, further escalating regional tensions.

The funeral ceremony was among the Supreme Leader’s most significant public appearances since the conflict, with state media extensively covering the event.

Regional tensions remain high

Relations between Iran, Israel and the United States remain strained despite the ceasefire announced following the recent hostilities. Officials from the three countries continue to exchange strong statements over the military operations and the future of Iran’s nuclear programme.

The funeral ceremony reflected the continuing anti-US and anti-Israel sentiment expressed by sections of the Iranian establishment and supporters attending the event.

Continue Reading

India News

USA marks 250 years with Independence Day with nationwide celebrations

Published

on

The United States of America is observing its Independence Day on July 4 with celebrations taking place across the country. Public events, parades, concerts, and fireworks have been organized in several cities as Americans mark the nation holiday.

Large gatherings have been reported in cities including Washington D.C., New York, Boston, and Philadelphia, where thousands of people are participating in officials and community-led celebrations. Public parks, streets, and other venues have been prepared to host visitors throughout the day.

Government officials, including US President Donald Trump, extended Independence Day greetings and participated in events celebrating the occasion. Ceremonies honouring military personnel, experts, and first responders have also been held in different parts of he country.

Authorities have stepped up security arrangements at major event locations to manage large crowds. Additional police forces and emergency response teams have been posted, while officials have advised the public to follow safety instructions during the celebrations.

The holiday has also resulted in increased travel activity, with airports, highways, and railway stations experiencing heavy passenger movement. Hotels, restaurants and tourist attractions are seeing a rise in visitors as many people use the long weekend for travel and family gatherings.

Although weather conditions have disrupted a few outdoor events in some areas, most programme are continuing as scheduled. Fireworks displays are expected to take place in the evening at several locations, including major cities known for their annual Independence Day celebrations.

The nation celebrates Independence Day every July 4. It marks the adoption of the Declaration of Independence in 1776, when 13 American colonies became independent from British rule. It is one of the most important national holidays in the United States and is celebrated with parades, fireworks, official ceremonies, and community events across the country.

Continue Reading

Trending

© Copyright 2022 APNLIVE.com