Debate for Iowa

Thursday, January 16, 2020, 10am to 11:30 in the Meeting Room (behind the fireplace)

Tonight is the seventh Democrat 2020 presidential debate, the last one before the Iowa caucus. There is a virtual tie between four of the six candidates on stage, Bernie, Biden, Buttigieg and Betty. There are other campaign matters, Booker's withdraw, Bloomberg's spending, why Bennet is still in the race, is it too late for Brown, and what happened to Beto.

Here are some video previews of the debate. Warning the second video goes into great detail.

• People are asking, 'what's wrong with this picture?'
• 7th Democratic Debate Predictions

-------------------------------- Updated 1/16/20 ----------------------------------------

Here are the videos that were shown at the meeting:

• 6 Democratic candidates debate in Iowa
• Sanders, Warren Clash Over "Woman President" Question At Iowa Debate
• Warren appears to refuse to shake Sanders' hand after Iowa debate
• Tucker: CNN attacks Bernie Sanders for being 'sexist'
• Audio reveals tense confrontation between Warren and Sanders
• Tom Steyer Spending Suggest Explanation For Surprise Polls In NV, SC
• Watch Pete Buttigieg Call Out Steyer on Climate Change Stance
• What Andrew Yang Thinks His Chances Are

An Act of War

Thursday, January 9, 2020, 10am to 11:30 in the Meeting Room (behind the fireplace)

We start the new decade with an act of war with Iran, in Iraq, about Iran. Soleimani was assassinated four days ago and we still don't know why. Congress is supposed to be informed tomorrow so we we will be able to see both sides before our meeting on Thursday.

• Trump Can Wage War With No Understanding Of The Consequences

-------------------------------- Updated 1/9/20 ----------------------------------------

Here are the videos shown at the meeting

• The Soleimani Assassination
• Trump Brings U.S. to the Brink of War with Iran
• Trump calls for economic sanctions on Iran after missile attack
• U.S. military had time for troops to take shelter before Iran missile attacks
• Geraldo: If Iran wanted to hit US troops, they would have
• Iran attack was "carefully calibrated"
• Bolton Did Worst Thing He Could To Trump
• Iranian Revolutionary Guard commander warns of “future revenge”
• Donald Trump Gets No Credit

The Year 2019

Thursday, January 2, 2020, 10am to 11:30 in the Meeting Room (behind the fireplace)

Last week, we spoke mostly of the past decade. So for the next meeting, we will talk about just the past year. We will be using a series of video from ABC news which spans a broad range of topics.

• The 2020 presidential race
• Heros
• Politics and the presidency
• Young newsmakers
• Big news events
• Viral videos

Year and Decade in Review

Thursday, December 26, 2019, 10am to 11:30 in the Meeting Room (behind the fireplace)

Yes, the Bain Center will be open on the day after Christmas and we will hold our meeting at the usual time. Since this will be the last meeting of the year, and of the 2010s, we will discuss the top stories for the year and decade. So bring your ideas. I will have some videos, but I will only use them if necessary to kick off discussions.

Here are some worthy news stories:

• 2019: A Year In Review
• The decade in review: 2010-2019

Impeachment, Necessity or Distraction

Thursday, December 19, 2019, 10am to 11:30 in the Meeting Room (behind the fireplace)

We know how the impeachment and Senate trial will go. But there is still an argument if it was a necessity or a distraction. Will this hurt the Democrats in the election, or would they have been hurt more if they had not impeached Trump.

Here is a video which summarizes the arguments for both sides:

• Thomas Friedman and Eliana Johnson on impeachment

----------------------------------------- Updated 12/19/19 ---------------------------------------------------

Here are the videos shown at the meeting:

• Yes, The Trump Presidency Is Just a TV Show We All Have Tt Live Through
• Fallout after historic House vote to impeach President Trump
• Pelosi has leverage over Senate impeachment trial
• Gabbard casts single 'present' vote on Trump impeachment
• Focus on impeachment ahead of Democratic debate
• Varney: Socialism lost last night in Britain and America
• Bloomberg pulling support away from Biden
• COP25 negotiations fall short
• President Trump Mocks Greta Thunberg on Twitter
• New Rule: Nowhere Else to Go

Impeachment Politics

Thursday, December 12, 2019, 10am to 11:30 in the Meeting Room (behind the fireplace)

Our next meeting will cover the upcoming impeachment vote and related politics. 

• House Democrats unveil first articles of impeachment

---------------------------------- Updated 12/12/19 ----------------------------------------
Here are the videos shown at the meeting:

• Dems Bring Two Articles of Impeachment Against Trump
• 'Ridiculous and Stupid' Impeachment Is a 'Waste Of Time'
• They don't have the evidence and they don't have public support
• Trump Deserves the Title of Traitor
• Biden has fiery confrontation with retired farmer
• Yang qualifies for debate, changes politics forever
• Greta Thunberg denounces world leaders

Can Fossil Fuel Companies Help Fight Climate Change?

Thursday, December 5, 2019, 10am to 11:30 in the Meeting Room (behind the fireplace)

COP 25 is now in progress in Madrid and the it looks like we are losing the battle against climate change. So why do so many climate activists oppose the development of technology to pull CO2 directly out of the air?

For our next meeting, we will discuss the recent rise of direct air carbon capture and the bipartisan support it is getting in Congress.

• Bill Gates-Backed Carbon Capture Plant Does the Work Of 40 Million Trees
• USE IT Act is Commonsense Legislation to Turn Carbon Emissions into Valuable Products

---------------------------------------- Updated 12/5/19 --------------------------------------

Here are the other videos shown at the meeting:

• Top U.S. & World Headlines — December 2, 2019  (Just the first 93 seconds)
• At U.N. Climate Talks, Protesters Laugh Out Trump Admin Official Pushing Fossil Fuels
• We need a pragmatic climate strategy
• The Energy Race
• Worlds largest carbon capture plant opens in Fort Bend County
• This Natural Gas Plant Has Achieved Zero Emissions