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