2018 in Review

Thursday, December 27, 2018, 10am to 11:30 in the Meeting Room (behind the fireplace)

For our last meeting of the year, we will review 2018 in two parts, Trump and Non-Trump. Here are the videos for the meeting:

• Trump - The Year 2018 Drama in politics
• Non-Trump - The Year 2018 Gun violence, hurricanes and other major news events

--------------------------------------- Updated 12/27/18 --------------------------------------------

Here are the other videos shown at the meeting:

• Apollo 8 50th Anniversary
• Women Movement in 2018

Seventeen Investigations on Trump

Thursday, December 20, 2018, 10am to 11:30 in the Meeting Room (behind the fireplace)

By one count, there are as many as 17 investigations on Trump. Fortunately, they can be sorted into six areas, as stated in THIS video:

• Collusion with Russia during his election
• Hush money payments to his mistresses
• Accepting emoluments during his presidency
• Misuse of his inauguration funds
• Tax fraud in his business
• Violation of charity law by his foundation

For our next meeting, we will discusses the many problems of Trump is facing before Christmas.

------------------------------------- Updated 12/21/18 --------------------------------------------

Here are the other videos shown at the meeting:

• How much longer will the Mueller investigation last
• Judge orders Trump emolument lawsuit to proceed
• Trump Inaugural Committee Under Investigation
• NY state reviewing NYT's tax fraud allegations on Trump
• Trump Foundation shutting down amid allegations of misuse
• How Democrats plan to get Trump’s tax returns in 2019
• Special Medication Just for Donald Trump

Meanwhile in Europe

Thursday, December 13, 2018, 10am to 11:30 in the Meeting Room (behind the fireplace)

In is unusual for two big multi-week stories to take place in Europe at the same time. For the next meeting, we will cover the riots in France and the Brexit crisis in the UK. 

• Why the UK and France are facing 'fundamental transformations'

-------------------------------------- Updated 12/16/18 --------------------------------------

Here are the other videos shown at the meeting:

• France's 'Yellow Vests' Protests
• British politicians urge new Brexit vote 'Put it to the people'
• The Brexit Files how to solve the Irish border problem
• 'May's deal is bad for Britain,' says UK Labour Leader
• EU court says UK can back out of Brexit
• Theresa May safe as party leader after winning no confidence vote

Bush 41 and COP 24

Thursday, December 6, 2018, 10am to 11:30 in the Meeting Room (behind the fireplace)

     The media took a break from Trump this week to mourn the passing of the 41st president, George HW Bush. For our next meeting, we will reflect on the life of Bush 41. Here is just one of many tributes on the news:

• Remembering 41

     Mostly missing from these media tributes is Bush's record of environment protection; see THIS article. Bush passed legislation to require a periodic assessment of the national impact of climate change. Here is Bush speaking about the environment:

• George HW Bush's 1988 Environmental Speech

     The latest climate assessment declared a climate emergency and the need for global reduction of carbon emissions. This was a perfect lead-in to COP 24, the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, which started this Sunday and will last for two weeks. Here is the importance of this particular convention and its bleak outlook:

• COP 24: What's at stake?

--------------------------------------- Updated 12/8/18 ------------------------------------------

Here are the other videos shown at the meeting:

• The George H.W. Bush promise that changed the Republican Party
• How Bush’s 1988 Campaign Ushered in a New Era of Racial Politics

On the Borderline

Thursday, November 29, 2018, 10am to 11:30 in the Meeting Room (behind the fireplace)

As stated in recent reports, we are now on the borderline of a climate disaster. The horror of the Paradise Fire has gotten the public to pay attention. But the migrant caravan at the southern border has erupted into violence, allowing Trump to divert media coverage to his priority, a border wall. So far the media has mostly failed to recognize the caravan as climate refugees.

Here are some of the videos for next weeks meeting:

• ‘It’s happening, it’s now,’ says U.S. government report on climate change
• Tensions rise in violence at border town of Tijuana
• Climate Change-Fueled Drought Drives Thousands from Central America

---------------------------------------------- Updated 11/30/18 --------------------------------------------

Here is other video shown at the meeting:

• Trauma, loss and logistics plague communities hit by wildfire

Trump Goes to France

Thursday, November 15, 2018, 10am to 11:30 in the Meeting Room (behind the fireplace)
Meeting Cancelled due to bad weather

Trump went to France to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the end of WW1. The other countries used the occasion to promote international cooperation, but Trump ignored this theme. Instead he sent nasty tweets about the California fires and the election results.

Here are some of the videos for the next meeting:

• A Century After End of WWI, Trump Snubs Peace Summit
• CNN meteorologist debunks Trump on wildfires
• A Show of Character from GOP in Arizona Race

Election Results

Thursday, November 8, 2018, 10am to 11:30 in the Meeting Room (behind the fireplace)

For the next meeting, we will discuss the results of the midterm election. Hopefully we will know the results by Thursday, but the final results may not be known for months. In any case, we should know if Democrats who feared an upset were justified, as shown in this SNL skit:

• Midterm Ad - SNL

----------------------------------------- Updated 11/8/18 ------------------------------------------

Here are the other videos shown at the Meeting:

• Midterms 2018 How the Night Unfolded
• Democrats take control of House, GOP holds Senate
• Midterms Produce Divided Congress
• Meet the History Makers
• Young voters had low turnout
• Republican-led Senate planning to reshape the judiciary
• Major ballot measures that passed
• Could Florida Measure Restoring Vote to Former Felons Swing State Blue
• Trump May Flex Presidential Muscle on Foreign Stage
• Trump’s Heated Post-Midterm Press Conference
• Late-night laughs: The midterm election

The Shooting in Pittsburg

Thursday, November 1, 2018, 10am to 11:30 in the Meeting Room (behind the fireplace)

For our next meeting, we will cover the mass shooting in Pittsburg and its impact on the upcoming election. Here is the first video:

• How the Tree of Life shooting reflects American anti-Semitism

-------------------------------------------- Updated 11/1/18 ----------------------------------------------------

Here are the other videos shown at the meeting:

• Trump pays respects in Pittsburgh
• HIAS Responds to Synagogue Massacre
• Debunking the myths surrounding George Soros
• Peak Florida

Two Stories

Thursday, October 25, 2018, 10am to 11:30 in the Meeting Room (behind the fireplace)

For our next meeting, we will discuss the two stories which have dominated the news this week, the Saudi murder plot and the migrant caravan. Both are still developing, so I will select the news videos later. But here are some videos which provide some background information:

• How this young prince seized power in Saudi Arabia
• Central American refugees flee violence

----------------------------------------- Updated 10/26/18 -------------------------------------

Here are the other videos shown at the meeting:

• Trump blasts 'worst cover-up ever'
• Migrant caravan raises Trump's ire again
• Mexicans rally to migrant caravan
• How U.S. Involvement in Central America Led to a Border Crisis

Foreign Relations

Thursday, October 18, 2018, 10am to 11:30 in the Meeting Room (behind the fireplace)

For the past few weeks, the focus has been on domestic affairs, particularly on the midterm elections and the Kavanaugh confirmation. But last week a murder in the Saudi consulate in Turkey has gotten attention because of its gruesome details. Meanwhile, the trade war with China escalates and may continued into the upcoming climate talks in December.

Here are the videos for the meeting:

• Saudi Arabia: Last Week Tonight with John Oliver
• Fareed: How Trump can win cold war with China
• China vs US on climate change policy going into 2018
• UN report predicts grim outlook for 2040 if carbon emissions rise

---------------------------- Updated 10/18/18 ---------------------------------

Here are the other videos shown at the meeting:

• China has world's largest nuclear power capacity under construction
• Bill Gates explains why China might build the first fourth generation nuclear reactor

Kavanaugh Aftermath

Thursday, October 11, 2018, 10am to 11:30 in the Meeting Room (behind the fireplace)

Kavanaugh is now the new SCOTUS justice; so now what. There is the immediate impact on next month's election. Both side see this as a winning issue, so we can expect the Kavanaugh controversy to continue until then. There there is the long term impact on how SCOTUS cases will be decided and the impact on our lives. It seems that the Red-Blue divide will just get worst, for now and for decades to come.

But maybe a true global threat might force us to work together. Yesterday, the IPCC released a special report saying that the climate change needs drastic action now. Recent extreme weather has made this report credible. Distraction may no longer be an option.

Here are the videos for the next meeting:

• Democrats and Republicans Focus on Midterms After Kavanaugh Confirmation
• How Kavanaugh will change the Supreme Court
• World needs to make near-revolutionary change to avoid imminent climate disaster

Kavanaugh Continues

Thursday, October 4, 2018, 10am to 11:30 in the Meeting Room (behind the fireplace)

The big story remains to be the Kavanaugh confirmation. Since our last meeting, we had the testimony of Ford and Kavanaugh, then the Jeff Flake forcing a one week FBI investigation, and then the questioning if the scope of the investigation. In any case Mitch McConnell is promising a vote next Friday. There are new developments every hour, so I will select the video for the meeting on Thursday morning. See you there.

---------------------------------------- Updated 10/4/18 -------------------------------------------

Here are the videos shown at the meeting:

• Hope for Kavanaugh & Other Men Accused of Sexual Assault
• Senators to review single copy of FBI findings on Kavanaugh in secure room
• Graham: Klobuchar should apologize to Kavanaugh
• Brett Kavanaugh Fails Own Test of Judicial Temperament
• Judiciary Committee spars over Kavanaugh
• 4 ways the Kavanaugh confirmation could end

News Distractions

Thursday, September 27, 2018, 10am to 11:30 in the Meeting Room (behind the fireplace)

Just when the Kavanaugh-Ford hearings were scheduled for Thursday, on the same hour as our meeting, news broke that Rosenstein will meet with Trump, also on Thursday, which could lead to his firing and putting the Mueller probe into jeopardy. Some have said that the Rosenstein meeting was scheduled to distract from the new accusations against Kavanaugh. But both events distract from the big picture events happening at the UNGA debates this week, where the news media could finally cover big global issues that have so far have been mostly ignored by our press.

Here are some videos which illustrates my point:

• Rosenstein’s Potential Ouster and the Mueller Investigation
• UN General Assembly 2018 – 5 Key Global Issues

------------------------------------------- Updated 9/27/18 -----------------------------------------------

Here are the other videos shown at the meeting:

• New Kavanaugh accusation raises ‘doubt’ on eve of hearing
• Sen. Feinstein corners Sen. Murkowski ahead of Kavanaugh hearing
• How will Kavanaugh and Blasey Ford approach Senate hearing?
• Brett Kavanaugh: Couple Things
• President Trump gives rare solo press conference
• Leaders confront Trump’s ‘America First’ philosophy at UN
• Trump accuses China of interfering in upcoming US election
• The World Unites in Laughing at Trump

You Too Kavanaugh

Thursday, September 20, 2018, 10am to 11:30 in the Meeting Room (behind the fireplace)

The confirmation of Brett Kavanaugh to the Supreme Court could be derailed after Monday's Senate hearings on his alleged attempted rape while he was in high school. All this seems to parallel the Hill-Thomas hearings in 1991, except that today victims of sexual abuse are taken more seriously because of the me-too movement.

Here are the videos for the meeting:

• Kavanaugh accuser ‘struggled’ with decision to go public
• Judge Napolitano on if Kavanaugh's nomination
• What Hasn't Changed Since Anita Hill

--------------------------------------- Updated 9/20/18 ------------------------------------------

Here are the other videos shown at the meeting:

• What people who knew Kavanaugh and his accuser are saying
• How the FBI Could Investigate the Brett Kavanugh Allegation
• Kavanaugh accuser has until Friday to decide if she'll testify

Fear

Thursday, September 13, 2018, 10am to 11:30 in the Meeting Room (behind the fireplace)

Bod Woodward book, Fear, has been released today. Last week's excerpts have added to the belief that Trump is dysfunctional and dangerous. We expect to see more examples as the public reads the full book. 

At the same time, a monster hurricane is approaching North Carolina. The current prediction is that it will make landfall on Cape Fear, where there is a nuclear power plant. This hurricane is just one of many recent unusually harsh climate related events, which supports the fear that the worse of climate change is happening now and Trump is derailing the world's effort to stop it.

Here are two of the videos that will be shown at the meeting:

• Bob Woodward on Fear in the Trump White House
• Climate Change Supercharges Hurricane Florence

---------------------------------------- Updated 9/13/18 -----------------------------------------

Here is the other video that was shown at the meeting:

• Anderson Cooper slams Trump's 'tone-deaf' remarks

The Next SCOTUS Justice

Thursday, September 6, 2018, 10am to 11:30 in the Meeting Room (behind the fireplace)

For the next meeting, we will discuss the confirmation hearing for Judge Kavanaugh, It has just started today, so I will hold-off selecting the videos until Thursday morning. Nevertheless, here is a good PBS video on Kavanaugh's background.

• What you should know about Brett Kavanaugh’s life and record

------------------------------------------  Updated 9/6/18 ---------------------------------------------

Here are the other videos shown at the meeting:

• In hearing showdown, Democrats push for Kavanaugh documents
• Recap of Kavanaugh's first day of hearings
• Kavanaugh avoids presidential powers questions
• Kavanaugh on abortion
• Brett Kavanaugh in for a Long, Hard Fight for Supreme Court Spot
• Senator Durbin Accuses Brett Kavanaugh of Lying Under Oath
• Kavanaugh quizzed over abortion, gun rights, executive power

Trump's Slide

Thursday, August 30, 2018, 10am to 11:30 in the Meeting Room (behind the fireplace)

All this week Trump's position has been on a downward slide. Trump's old allies have been turning against him and new charges are likely. But with the death of John McCain, there seems to be a pause.

Here are the videos for the next meeting:

• Orange Tuesday
• Trump Organization Executives Could Face Charges
• Manafort reportedly sought plea deal
• Former CIA Director John Brennan
• McCain Appears to Address President Trump in Farewell Message

--------------------------------------- Updated 8/30/18 -------------------------------------

Here is the last video shown at the meeting that was not listed abode:

• Wok the Vote

Russian Meddling

Thursday, August 23, 2018, 10am to 11:30 in the Meeting Room (behind the fireplace)

Microsoft has uncovered more Russian meddling in our elections, this time on conservative institutions that oppose Trump. For our next meeting will will look at the new and past Russian meddling and the puzzling relation between Truymp and Putin.

Here are the videos for the meeting:

• Microsoft: Russian hacking targeted Senate, conservative groups
• How Russia Hacked America
• Michael McFaul: Why do Trump and Putin get along so well
• John Oliver on Putin

------------------------------- Updated 8/23/18 ------------------------------

We spent the first half-hour on breaking new on the Manafort verdict and the Cohen guilty plea.

Here are the other videos shown at the meeting:

• Cohen pleads guilty, Manafort found guilty on 8 counts
• Microsoft uncovers Russian hack
• Bill to Sanction Russia Gaining Traction

Pushback Against Racism

Thursday, August 16, 2018, 10am to 11:30 in the Meeting Room (behind the fireplace)

Racism is widely believed to be getting worse, but there was some recent successes in the pushback against racism. These include the reversal in the Florida "stand your ground" parking lot incident, Omarosa calling out Trumps racism, and the fizzle of the Unite the Right rally in DC.

Here are the videos for the meeting:

• Florida man charged with manslaughter in stand your ground case
• Omarosa Is Starting To Think Trump Might Be Racist
• One Year After Charlottesville, the Alt-Right Is in Shambles
• Christian Picciolini's TED Talk

-------------------------------------------- Updated 8/16/18 ------------------------------------------------

HERE is the press conference for the "Stand Your Ground" reversal that was mentioned during the meeting.

HERE is the full video of the Trump's dog whistles to the alt-right that was partially played during the meeting.

Road to Violence

Thursday, August 9, 2018, 10am to 11:30 in the Meeting Room (behind the fireplace)

For our next meeting, we will look at Trump's rally in Ohio and how it may have influenced the results of tonight special election for the Ohio 12th. Trump is using these rallies to lash at the media and it is feared that some of his ardent followers will resort to violence. This could be a slippery slope in the current atmosphere of violence.

Here are the videos for the next meeting:

• Trump at Ohio rally
• Russia Doesn’t Need to Make Fake News Anymore
• Alt-right groups, counter protestors clash
• At least 57 people shot in violent Chicago weekend
• 'Stand Your Ground' parking spot shooting
• 3D-printed guns

----------------------------------- Updated 8/9/18 ------------------------------------

Here are the other videos shown at the meeting:

• Death threat made to Don Lemon and Brian Stelter
• The Spy Who Loved the NRA
• Drone attack in Venezuela raises alarm over new threat

Midterm Election Approaches

Thursday, August 2, 2018, 10am to 11:30 in the Meeting Room (behind the fireplace)

We are less than 100 days to the midterm election and Trump is doing everything to keep the focus on him. For the next meeting, we will look at a collection of issues that may decide the outcome. I will bring some videos, but first I want to hear from you on what issues will be important in the upcoming election.

----------------------------------------- Updated 8/2/18 -------------------------------------------

Here are thew videos shown at the meeting:

• Bizarre Conspiracy Cult Leaps from Web to Trump Rally
• Did Trump Make a Mistake by Slamming the Koch Brothers  
• Tapper calls out Sarah Sanders' lie
• What's at stake as Paul Manafort's trial begins
• No doubt Russians behind latest Facebook campaigns
• Trump denies being aware of Trump Tower meeting
• President Trump & Cohen Conspired to Pay Off Many Women
• Trump meets with New York Times publisher
• Here's why Trump wouldn't have won without Russia
• Why President Donald Trump Might Not Fear a Dem-Controlled House

Trump and Putin Continues

Thursday, July 26, 2018, 10am to 11:30 in the Meeting Room (behind the fireplace)

We will pick up where we left off last week, with the nations disapproval of the love affair between Trump and Putin. Last week Trump took back his siding with Putin over Russia's interference with the 2016 election. But now Trump is behaving as if his take back never happened.

Here is a video of what happened at the beginning of this week (and there is surely more to come):

• What Do You Mean Trump And Putin Are Meeting Again?

--------------------------------------------- Updated 7/29/18 ------------------------------------------------

Here are the other videos shown at the meeting:

• GOP Refuses to Hold Trump Accountable on Russia
• Trump Derangement Syndrome
• So Much News, So Little Time
• Our President Says Don't Believe What You See and Read
• Trump Predicts Russians Will Meddle in the Midterms for Democrats
• White House is changing reality of Trump-Putin meeting
• After Trump-Putin summit, Obama warns against ‘strongman’ politics

Trump and Putin

Thursday, July 19, 2018, 10am to 11:30 in the Meeting Room (behind the fireplace)

Not surprisingly, the topic for next week will be the Trump-Putin meeting in Helsinki. Has Trump finally gone too far, or will his base continue to support him. Because This is still a developing story, I will hold off selecting the videos for the meeting until tomorrow.

---------------------------------------- Updated 7/19/18 ----------------------------------------

Here are the videos that were shown at the meeting:

• Putin owns Trump
• Trump stands his ground after Putin news conference backlash
• Trump has ‘healthy dose of skepticism’ for U.S. intelligence
• Trump Blames His Putin Summit Debacle on a Slip of the Tongue
• Republicans welcome Trump's reversal, Democrats remain skeptical
• Gingrich: Very important for Trump to correct Russia mistake
• Sanders clarifies Trump's statement on whether Russia still a threat
• Trump and Putin: A surreal moment in US politics
• As he Russia Investigation Approaches Final Stages, What Has It Accomplished
• Inside The Trump - Putin Summit Meeting  Our Cartoon President

Hawaii Volcano Update

Thursday, July 12, 2018, 10am to 11:30 in the Meeting Room (behind the fireplace)

While in Hawaii, I did not pay attention to the news at all. I just arrived home and I am too tired to catch-up with the news. So for the next meeting, I will provide an update on the Kilauea eruption which has fallen out of the mainstream media but has important developments. If we have time, you can tell me what I missed in the news.

----------------------------------------------- Updated 7/13/!8 -------------------------------------

Here are the videos shown at the meeting:

• Washington D.C. Reacts To Hawaii Eruption
• USGS Gives Hawaii Eruption Update
• Future Summit Eruption Scenarios Explained
• Hawaii Eruption - The Tourism Tumult

Here are the websites visited during the meeting:

• Lava Hazard Zones
• Kilauea Earthquakes
• Lava Map
• PurpleAir Monitors
• Trade Winds on Kona Coast

The Border Issue

Thursday, June 28, 2018, 10am to 11:30 in the Meeting Room (behind the fireplace)

After Trump cave on child separation from migrants crossing the Mexican border, the policy reverted to Catch-and-Release in spite of Trump no tolerance rhetoric. Now Trump wants to deport migrants without a hearing, possibly in conflict with the Fifth Amendment, and has made it the primary campaign issue for the November election. Meanwhile, the migrant children issue has morphed into the cultural divide, with much of the attention on numerous side issues.

Here are the videos for the meeting:

• Melania Trump Really Doesn't Care, Do U
• Amid outrage at family separations, Trump supporters dig in
• Trump calls for stripping due process for undocumented immigrants
• Commander of Texas tent city blasts dumb zero tolerance immigration policy
• President Trump Calls For Deporting Migrants ‘Immediately’ and Without Trial

------------------------------------- Updated 6/28/18 -------------------------------------------

Here are the other videos shown at the meeting:

• House votes against GOP immigration bill
• Judge orders halt to migrant family separations
• Top US court backs Trump travel ban on Muslim-majority countries
• Fareed: Trump lost immigration battle, but may win war

Zero Tolerance at the Border

Thursday, June 21, 2018, 10am to 11:30 in the Meeting Room (behind the fireplace)

A consequence of Trump's zero tolerance policy toward migrants illegally crossing our southern border has been the forced separation of children from their parents seeking asylum. This has been going on for over a month but the story gained national attention as the number of separations increased. Over the weekend, it has become a political firestorm when Trump falsely blamed the Democrats for the separation policy and tried to use the situation as leverage to pass his immigration bill.

Here are videos about the how the children are being treated and the political backlash. This is a developing story so I expect more in the next two two before our meeting:

• What we know about immigrant children being separated from their parents
• Sen. Graham working with bipartisan lawmakers on immigration

------------------------------------ Updated 6/21/18 -----------------------------------------

Here are the other videos shown at the meeting:

• An immigration system totally overwhelmed
• Trump makes abrupt about-face on family separation
• Trump's Executive Order to Undo an Executive Failure

Tale of Two Summits

Thursday, June 14, 2018, 10am to 11:30 in the Meeting Room (behind the fireplace)

For the next meeting, we will cover Trump's doubleheader summits, the G7 and Singapore. Trump seemed to play along while in Canada for the G7, but blew-up the meeting while on route to Singapore to meet with Kim of North Korea. Today Trump declared his meeting with Kim a success even while a trade war with our allies loomed.

I will wait for tomorrow to pick the videos for Singapore. Here are the videos for G7:

• Trump tells G7 leaders to invite Russia back into the group
• Trump withdraws support for G7’s final communique
• The significance of the G-7 acrimony
• Trump's G7 tweet storm prompts support for Trudeau
• Trump targets Trudeau and Canada's auto sector
• Trump cherry-picking tariff fights

------------------------------------ Updated 6/14/18 ------------------------------------

Here are the Singapore videos shown at the meeting:

• Trump Will Use His 'Touch' And 'Feel' With Kim Jong Un
• Why Kim leaves Singapore with real achievements
• What does “denuclearization” mean

Trade War

Thursday, June 7, 2018, 10am to 11:30 in the Meeting Room (behind the fireplace)

Trump finally did it. He ended steel and aluminum tariff exemptions for Europe, Canada and Mexico. Now we are looking at a trade war with our closest allies. For our next meeting, we will examine the outrage Trump's tariffs has caused.

Here are the videos for the meeting:

• US hits EU, Mexico and Canada with steel, aluminium tariffs
• Canada, EU, Mexico react to Trump tariffs
• Trump slaps tariffs on EU metal imports
• China opens EU charm offensive amid US tariffs
• US tariffs on steel and aluminum could backfire

----------------------------------- Updated 6/8/18 -------------------------------------------

Here are the other videos shown at the meeting:

• Tariffs overshadow G7 summit Can a trade war be averted
• TPP trade agreement signed countering US protectionism
• Canada and U.S. slap each other with tariffs
• AP Explains What is NAFTA
• Did Mexicans benefit from NAFTA

ZTE is Made in China

Thursday, May 31, 2018, 10am to 11:30 in the Meeting Room (behind the fireplace)

Trump's hard line on China's cheating on trade has bipartisan support, so it was a surprise when Trump seemed to reverse his position to save jobs in for ZTE, a Chinese telecom company considered to be one of the worse offenders. Trump claimed that he will remain tough on ZTE, but the the terms of the settlement has been sharply criticized by Trump's supporters, especially Senator Marco Rubio. Rubio fears that China's plan to dominate the important technologies of the future, called Made in China 2025, will succeed at the expense of the US.

Here are the video for the next meeting:

• Trump vows to help Chinese tech giant ZTE
• Trump administration reaches ZTE deal with China
• Rubio: China's threat to U.S. national security is not a game
• American chipmaker Qualcomm caught up in US-China trade disputes
• Why China is a bigger problem for U.S. than Russia

-------------------------------- Updated 5/31/18 ----------------------------------------------

Here are the other videos shown at the meeting:

• What’s the beef with the ‘Made in China 2025’ strategy
• Why Xi Jinping May Be The World's Most Powerful Leader

The 2018 Farm Bill

Thursday, May 24, 2018, 10am to 11:30 in the Meeting Room (behind the fireplace)

The farm bill should be about healthy food, but it about the supporting agribusiness. The food assistance program, SNAP, is the largest part of the farm bill and its renewal is tied to agriculture subsidies. This year, the passage of the farm bill has been tied to immigration policy, not for farm workers, but just as a Congressional maneuver to force a vote.

Here are the videos for the next meeting:

• 2018 Farm Bill is for Everyone
• Farm bill ‘dead on arrival’ 
• Hunger a persistent problem for poor Americans as Republicans mull SNAP cuts
• House to vote on draft farm bill with food stamp changes
• 30 House Republicans join Democrats to defeat farm bill
• What does farm bill failure mean for Speaker Ryan's future
• Michael Pollan: The Farm Bill
• Its time to change the food system

A New Embassy in Jerusalem

Thursday, May 17, 2018, 10am to 11:30 in the Meeting Room (behind the fireplace)

The new US embassy opened in Jerusalem on Monday, just days after Trump pulled out of the Iran deal. Both events cemented the US to Israeli interest, which may further isolate the US from the rest of the world.

Here are the videos for the meting:

• US envoy met with protests, praise ahead of embassy opening in Jerusalem
• Over 50 dead as US opens embassy in Jerusalem
• Why Are Palestinians Protesting In Gaza
• This Is Why Evangelical Christians Love Israel
• Donald Trump nuking Iran deal has huge implications
• Iran's foreign minister starts tour of world powers to save nuclear deal
• Iran-Israel tensions Iranian scholar threatens destruction

-------------------------------------- Updated 5/17/18 ----------------------------------------

Here are the other videos shown at the meeting:

• Haley to UN Israel acted 'with restraint' in deadly Gaza clashes
• Iran-Israel conflict escalates
• Turkish PM Erdogan's UK visit met with protests

Fire and Rain in Hawaii

Thursday, May 10, 2018, 10am to 11:30 in the Meeting Room (behind the fireplace)

For the next meeting we will cover the two natural disasters that occurred in Hawaii in the past three weeks, the earthquakes and volcanic eruptions on the Big Island, and the record setting flood on Kauai.

Here are the videos:

• Hawaii residents flee after Kilauea volcano eruptions
• Hawaii's volcano emergency is far from over
• How a Hawaii crater collapse led to latest volcanic eruption
• Landslides, floods, air rescues ongoing on Kauai
• Pro surfer saves lives amid torrential Hawaii rain
• Kauai Record Rain

-------------------------------- Updated 5/11/18 ---------------------------------

Here are the other videos shown at the meeting:

• Homes Destroyed, Toxic Gas Concerns Amid Hawaii Volcano Emergency
• Lava continues to swallow up homes in Hawaii
• Hawaii's volcano emergency "not over" as more evacuate
• Kilauea Hawaii volcano forces thousands to flee their homes
• Multiple Kauai homes completely destroyed
• First-hand look at extensive flood damage, rescue efforts on Kauai
• Kauai businesses struggling to attract visitors after floods
• Lawmakers reach tentative rail funding agreement, hotel tax increase

No Nukes for You

Thursday, May 3, 2018, 10am to 11:30 in the Meeting Room (behind the fireplace)

The issue of nuclear weapons in both North Korea and Iran has reached a turning point at the same time. In North Korea, Kim Jong Un has surprised the world with his willingness to give up his nuclear program. In Iran, Hassan Rouhani has threatened to restart their nuclear program if Trump pulls out of Obama's deal.

Here are the videos for the meeting:

• North Korea, South Korea agree to end war
• Will Korean talks be different this time
• North Korea 'vows to shut down nuclear test site'
• S. Korea president Trump should win Nobel Prize
• Macron takes pitch for Iran nuclear deal to Congress
• Behind Macron's pitch for new Iran nuclear deal
• Rouhani and Macron in talks to save the Iran Nuclear Deal
• Israel's Netanyahu Iran pursued 'secret nuclear programme'

---------------------------------- Updated 5/3/18 ---------------------------------------

Here are the other videos shown at the meeting:

• How Kim Jong-un Went From International Pariah to Smiling Diplomat
• Russia's Far East could help solve North Korea nuclear issue
• France, Germany propose 'Iran deal plus'

Heroes

Thursday, April 26, 2018, 10am to 11:30 in the Meeting Room (behind the fireplace)

Heroes rose to the occasion in two recent events, a midair explosion on Southwest 1380 and in a mass shooting in a Nashville Waffle House. There was also resolution for a hero that lost his life while saving others in a Brooklyn apartment fire in December last year, but was finally buried with honors in February. 

Here are the videos for the meeting:

• Southwest Pilot Tammie Jo Shults Hailed A Hero After Emergency Landing
• Investigation into why Southwest Airlines plane's engine exploded
• Police Praise 'Hero' Customer for Stopping Waffle House Shooter
• Gunman kills four in Nashville Waffle House
• Families Come To Grips With Fatal Bronx Fire
• Trump's Racist Comment Countered Online by Story of Ghana Soldier

--------------------------------------- Updated 4/26/18 -----------------------------------------------

Here are the other videos shown at the meeting:

• Rep. McSally introduces resolution to honor Southwest pilot
• Man Who Tackled Waffle House Gunman Says He's 'Not A Hero'
• Waffle House hero who rushed shooter honored by lawmakers
• Funeral Today For Hero Soldier In Bronx Fire
• How to Survive a Workplace Shooting