Trump vs Iran, Part 2

Thursday, June 27, 2019, 10am to 11:30 in the Meeting Room (behind the fireplace)

We already covered Iran in our last meeting, but since then tensions have only gotten worse. So we will continue our discussion of Trump vs Iran. We will cover Iran downing our drone, Trump's aborted raid and his imposition  of sanctions on the Iranian leadership. I also want to spend time on background information, the Iranian leadership structure, the IRGC and perils of the Straights of Hormuz.

Here are some of the videos for the meeting:

• Iran Says U.S. Has “Permanently Closed Path to Diplomacy”
• Government of Iran (video from 2016)
• What is the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps?
• The Strait of Hormuz: Why is it the focus of the Iran-US tensions

--------------------------------- Updated 6/27/19 -------------------------------------------

Here are the other videos shown at the meeting:

• Trump seeks to make a deal with Iran
• Iran's Rouhani: US sanctions on Khamenei 'idiotic and outrageous'
• Joe Sestak on Iran
• IRGC puts on display the wreckage of the United States’ spy drone
• Netanyahu Hails Historic Meeting With Russia
• Lawmakers question why they weren't told of Shanahan's family turmoil
• 'Mom, Iran hit me!: Late-night hosts tackle Trump's reaction to Iran threats

Trump vs Iran

Thursday, June 20, 2019, 10am to 11:30 in the Meeting Room (behind the fireplace)

For the next meeting, we will talk about how Trump's sanctions on Iran could  lead to conflict or a realignment of world alliances.  It may even end the dominance of the US Dollar. We will focus on the recent attacks on the two tankers in the Persian Gulf and how the US is trying to blame Iran.

Here are the videos for the meeting:

• After suspected attacks on Mideast oil tankers, U.S. blames Iran
• Central Command releases new images of bombings
• Fareed: This is a canary in the coal mine for America
• Can TRUMP make EUROPE follow HIM?

------------------------------------- Updated 6/20/19 -----------------------------------

Here are the other videos show at the meeting:

• Pentagon claims Iranians fired missile at US drone and missed
• Central Command releases new images of bombings
• Russian ambassador to EU slates US anti-Iran policies
• A Breakdown of the Relationship Between Iran and the U.S.
• Democrats grills Trump official on Iran
• What difference does SCO make on world stage?

Trump vs Mexico

Thursday, June 13, 2019, 10am to 11:30 in the Meeting Room (behind the fireplace)

Trump declared victory against Mexico, saying that his tariff threats forced Mexico to stop the flow of refugees from Central America to the US. He dismissed claims from the NY Times that Mexico had already made those concessions before Trump's threats. Trump then claimed that he had an additional deal with Mexico, but refused to say what it was.

Here are some of the videos for our next meeting:

• Will U.S.-Mexico deal reduce immigration? A report from 2 borders
• Fareed: Trump achieved one thing with his bullying behavior
• Cooper: Trump has a track record on this type of thing
• McAleenan: Trump's tariff threat worked, his deal will be effective

--------------------------------- Updated 6/13/19 --------------------------------------

Here are the other videos shown at the meeting:

• More than 10,000 asylum seekers returned under "Remain in Mexico" policy
• Mexico's president celebrates avoiding US trade war
• Trump holds up folded paper containing 'very simple' Mexico trade deal
• Donald Trump Picks Ken Cuccinelli To Lead U.S. Citizenship Agency

Trump in the UK

Thursday, June 6, 2019, 10am to 11:30 in the Meeting Room (behind the fireplace)

There has been a lot of news in the UK over the past two months, but it was overshadowed by other news, mostly Trump related. Now that Trump is in the UK for an official state visit on the 75th anniversary of D-Day, we will use our next meeting to catch-up on what has been happening in the UK. Besides Trump's visit there was Boris Johnson, the Brexit Party, the Royal Family, the Extinction Rebellion and Julian Assange. But somehow they are all related to Trump.

We may have enough time to cover all the topics but here are some videos anyway:

• Trump UK state visit begins with Twitter attack on London mayor
• Corbyn hits out after Trump praises Boris Johnson
• How U.K.'s Brexit Party could elect its first member of Parliament
• Donald Trump’s controversial interactions with the British Royal Family
• Extinction Rebellion
• Assange Arrested and Charged with Conspiracy

-------------------------------- Updated 6/6/2019 ---------------------------------

Here are the other videos shown at the meeting:

• Trump: Britain's NHS should be 'on the table' in trade deal talks
• Will Boris be the next PM?
• Brexit and UK's voting in the European elections
• Queen Elizabeth touts international institutions at state dinner
• UK lawmakers declare symbolic climate emergency

War of Words

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

The Trump feud with Pelosi continued last week, with Trump essentially daring Pelosi to impeach him. Pelosi still does not want to impeach, but has to be tough with Trump to keep the pro-impeachment wing in line. Trump knows this and continued to attack her. An obviously altered video to make Pelosi look drunk got circulated. Some fear that soon Deep Fake videos will make altered videos harder to detect.

Here are some of the videos for the meeting:

• Another Trump Temper Tantrum? Depends Who You Ask
• Trump, Pelosi engage in bitter war of words
• Breaking Down The Altered Speaker Nancy Pelosi Videos
• Not The White House Correspondents' Dinner - Deep Fakes

-------------------------------- Updated 5/30/19 --------------------------------------

Here are the rest of the videos shown at the meeting:

• Smerconish: Trump has no strategy other than be provocative
• Mueller breaks silence to say report doesn’t clear Trump
• Joe Biden Returns To Campaign Trail After President Donald Trump’s Attacks
• Kim Jong Un Puts 2020 Democrats On Blast

Abortion Politics

Thursday, May 23, 2019, 10am to 11:30 in the Meeting Room (behind the fireplace)

Abortion is making a comeback as a political issue and will probably still be an issue for 2020 elections since both sides think they can win with this issue. Here are some of the videos for the meeting:

• 25 Republican Men Ban Abortion in Alabama
• What Does a Post-Roe America Look Like?
• States Restrictive Abortion Laws Brings Issue Front and Center for 2020
• President Trump tweeted on his pro-life stance

------------------------------ Updated 5/23/19 ----------------------------------------

Here are the other videos shown at the meeting:

• State abortion bans spark nationwide protests
• An Abortion Education

Good Economy, Bad Economy

Thursday, May 16, 2019, 10am to 11:30 in the Meeting Room (behind the fireplace)

The employment numbers look better and better, and the April numbers were better than expected. Still there is much employment anxiety, since we are now in a gig economy. The Uber driver strike last week demonstrated how workers are suffering in their new jobs. With a trade war developing with China, will job growth continue?

Here are some of the videos for the meeting:

• U.S. employers added 263,000 jobs in April
• Job growth continues to soar under Trump's economy
• Unemployment rate drops to lowest level in decades
• Gig Economy Drivers Strike
• How to fix the gig economy
• Why Uber Is Losing Money
• China to increase tariffs on $60bn worth of US goods
• How do tariffs between China and the U.S. influence both sides?
• Trump Wants To Rebrand His Trade War