© 2024
Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations
An update has been released for the Android version of the WAMC App that addresses performance issues. Please check the Google Play Store to download and update to the latest version.

Bill Owens: Confounding And Confusing Events 11/25/19

It has been reported that a 5-year old brought cocaine to class, saying it makes him feel like Spiderman. His father was arrested which is not really a surprise. Unfortunately, parental irresponsibility has existed since the beginning of time. It was wooly mammoth’s endangering children, and now its drugs. Ah, the human condition.

The Mars rover has recently found an oxygen spike that occurs in the spring and summer and is disproportionate to other changes in the gaseous makeup of Mars. Scientists, at this juncture, have no idea what the cause is, but have remarked that Mars continues to surprise. It is always good to read a scientific report since one can rely on the facts that are being presented. Will we find life, and does it make sense to keep searching for it?

Mike Wallace, of Fox News, interviewed Representative Scalise this past weekend and challenged the Republican position relative to those coming before Congress to testify, in as much as virtually all are administration appointees and staff. There has been no indication that, that group of individuals is made-up of a large number of Democrats, if any. Mr. Trump has criticized virtually every witness with various types of name calling, inuendo and trash talking. So Presidential! Mr. Scalise essentially avoided answering the questions that were asked by Mr. Wallace which provides an insight and allows you to draw your own conclusions.

The Attorney General, Mr. Barr, recently stated in a speech before the Federalist Society that the actions of the Democrats are political harassment meant to sabotage his Presidency. Mr. Barr should look back at the Obama years, in particular the Benghazi investigation, the Fast and Furious Investigation and Mr. McConnell’s famous statement that he intended to make President Obama a one-term President. I presume Mr. Barr is a big fan of President Obama because he used executive authority in exactly the ways that Mr. Barr believes Mr. Trump should act, yet as a dedicated partisan I doubt he sees the irony.

On Tuesday, November 12th, the Dow Jones finished at 27691.4854499834 which is where it closed on November 11th. This has happened 167 times in the history of the market. Each time this event causes consternation, concern and curiosity on the part of journalists and analysts. Is it really meaningful, or is it simply an acronymism that creates some intellectual sport for those having a deep interest in the obscure?

On Monday, November 18th, Chairman Powell met with the President and Treasury Secretary, and following that meeting issued a release as follows: “He and his colleagues on the Federal Open Market Committee will set monetary policy, as required by law, to support maximum employment and stable prices and will make those decisions based solely on careful objective and nonpolitical analysis.” I wonder to whom that message was being delivered, certainly not those of us who actually follow the economy.

The ongoing impeachment saga had new shadows cast over it as Senator Ron Johnson attempted to impugn the character of Lieutenant Colonel Vindman. I don’t recall how many combat missions Senator Johnson participated in, but again, that might have been difficult since he didn’t serve his country.

Mr. Nunes also showed disrespect for Lieutenant Colonel Vindman, a decorated army veteran, by addressing him as Mr. during the questioning, and much to Lieutenant Colonel Vindman’s credit, he directed Mr. Nunes to call him by his proper title. The attacks from other members of the panel were also quite troubling, yet they see no problem in denigrating a veteran. These are appalling acts by a group of people who pretend to honor veterans. Asking legitimate questions on cross examination that test a witness’s memory and accuracy is certainly fair game, but ad hominem attacks are cowardly and unacceptable.

Ambassador Sondland made some new and startling statements this week during his testimony. He stated “He (President Zelinsky) had to announce the investigations. He didn’t actually have to do them, as I understood it.” Another defense evaporates.

Ms. Hill and Mr. Miller further eviscerated the President’s and Republican’s defenses with their testimony. These are people risking their careers to do the right thing which is washed over by all the Republican’s on the Committee. Seeking truth, I think not.

The situation is Israel remains unstable as Benny Gantz, the leader of the Blue and White Party has announced he has been unable to form a government. Further uncertainty has been inserted by the indictment of Mr. Netanyahu. If a new government cannot be formed, then a third election will be called and reports about the polling indicate that the same result is likely to occur. I doubt the indictment of Mr. Netanyahu is likely to move enough votes to Gantz that he could form a government on his own after the next election.

In light of all of the testimony during the hearings and the narrow polling, it may be time to think about censure as an alternative. I suspect moderates, of which I’m one, would consider that a rational resolution. The risk then shifts to Republicans in the House and Senate with the greatest risk to Republican Senators after they loudly claim victory and vote No.

Bill Owens is a former member of Congress representing the New York 21st, a partner in Stafford Owens in Plattsburgh, NY and a Senior Advisor to Dentons to Washington, DC.

The views expressed by commentators are solely those of the authors. They do not necessarily reflect the views of this station or its management.

Related Content