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