The Era of rivalry, Biden vs. Trump and their respective parties

NBC reports, "Israel says five of its military brigades, including many reservists, will be withdrawing from the Gaza Strip this week in an effort to pace itself for an expected long-term conflict and to mitigate damage to Israel’s economy.

"The Israel Defense Forces said the 828th Brigade, 261st Brigade and 460th Brigade, composed of active duty troops, will all return to their normal training missions. The 551st Brigade and 14th Brigade, comprising reservists, will be allowed to go home and resume their normal jobs, the IDF said.

"Yet the military took pains to signal that the withdrawal of those brigades did not mean an end to active, intensive combat in Gaza or any reduction in Israel’s mission there. Israel has been under intense global pressure to scale back the war but Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said in a national address over the weekend that the war would continue for “many more months.'"

 

Uh-oh! Here we go again. The do-nothing Congress has become a nightmare.

In 2023, the Republican-led House passed only 27 bills that became law, despite holding a total of 724 votes, many of them having to do with the five year investigation of Hunter Biden and the sorrowful attempt to impeach our President.

CNN reports, "The new year will bring new challenges for lawmakers, who must confront crises at home and abroad as the 2024 elections take center stage and threaten to deepen partisan divisions on Capitol Hill.

"The race for the White House is poised to play a major role in influencing what gets done – and what doesn’t – on Capitol Hill, and the balance of power in Congress is at stake with key Senate and House races on the ballot.

"The most pressing issues are a pair of government shutdown deadlines in January and February and a high-stakes effort to strike a deal over border security and aid for Ukraine and Israel. It’s far from clear, however, whether lawmakers will be able to reach consensus over border security and foreign aid and legislation to avert a shutdown."

Will the Republican House continue its obstruction tactics? Will the Republicans cause the U.S. to default on its loans, meaning money already spent, not new expenditures?

 

The NATO powers need the goods coming to them via the Red Sea and the Suez Canal. Why is NATO allowing the Houthis to do this? There responses have been purely defensive in nature.

CNN reports, "Maersk has suspended shipping through the Red Sea and Suez Canal “until further notice” as it continues to review security following an attack on one of its vessels, as one of the world’s most important maritime trade routes has seen growing attacks on transiting ships.

"The extended suspension reflects international shipping giants’ concerns with growing attacks from Houthi rebels in the Red Sea, which they say are revenge against Israel for its military campaign in Gaza. This is one of the world’s most important maritime trade routes and prolonged attacks could disrupt the global economy.

"A schedule published on Maersk’s website late Monday showed that more than 100 of its vessels sailing in the coming weeks have been diverted, reflecting how precarious the situation is in one of the world’s vital trade routes. The Suez Canal, which connects the Red Sea to the Mediterranean Sea, typically ferries as much as 30% of global container trade.

"Other major shipping firms, including Hapag-Lloyd, Evergreen Line and MSC Mediterranean Shipping Company, have also stopped using the critical waterway due to attacks by Houthis, who say they are taking revenge against Israel for its military campaign against Hamas in Gaza.

"The disruption to global supply chains is already pushing up freight costs and lengthening delivery times."

And NATO does nothing. They allow this pathetic Iranian ally to do as it pleases!

Is NATO afraid of Iran and its Muslim allies?

 

CNN reports, "At least 103 people were killed Wednesday and 188 injured in the Iranian city of Kerman after twin blasts near the burial site of slain military commander Qasem Soleimani, in what officials called a terror attack.

"The blasts, at least one of which was caused by a bomb, state TV said, came on the fourth anniversary of Soleimani’s death in a US air strike, and threatens to accelerate tensions in the region that have spiked since the start of the Israel-Hamas war in Gaza.

"The first explosion was 2,300 feet (700 meters) from Soleimani’s grave, and the second was 0.6 miles (1 kilometer) away as pilgrims visited the site, IRNA added.

"IRINN reported that the first explosion near the grave of Soleimani was caused by a bomb placed in a suitcase inside a Peugeot 405 car, and appeared to be detonated remotely.

"Iran’s Interior Minister Ahmad Vahidi said the first explosion happened at 3:00 p.m. local time (6 a.m. ET) during an interview with Iran’s state news channel IRIB. Vahidi said the second, more deadly blast took place 20 minutes later, when other pilgrims came to help the injured."

 

There has got to be a better way to handle this kind of thing. People with severe mental issues are causing authorities to go off half-cocked.

CNN reports, "Capitol buildings in multiple states were temporarily shut down and evacuated Wednesday because of threats.

“It was a mass email sent to several (Secretaries of State) and state offices across the country,” said Michon Lindstrom, a spokesperson for the Kentucky of Secretary of State’s office.

"A copy of an emailed threat obtained by CNN showed government offices in at least 23 states listed as recipients. The sender claimed to have placed explosives inside “your state Capitol,” although no specific state was mentioned in the email. It’s not clear if other email threats were sent.

"No states have reported finding any threatening items."

Of course. There hasn't been a terrorist attack in the U.S. since 9/11.

 

Iran accused the U.S. and Israel of being behind this attack. Turns out it was another terrorist organization.

Boy, Muslim countries are really screwed up.

The initial death toll from Iranian sources was off.

CNN reports, "ISIS has claimed responsibility for the deadly twin blasts near the burial site of slain military commander Qasem Soleimani in southern Iran.

"At least 84 people were killed and 284 injured in the blasts on Wednesday, state-run news agency IRNA reported, in what was the deadliest attack in Iran since its 1979 revolution.

"ISIS media wing Al-Furqan issued a statement on Thursday – more than 24 hours after the explosions – claiming two suicide bombers, who are brothers, had detonated their explosive vests as Shiite mourners gathered for the fourth anniversary of the assassination of Soleimani near his grave in his hometown of Kerman.

"The statement, titled “And Kill Them Wherever You Find Them,” named the two bombers and said they targeted a gathering of “polytheists” near the grave of their “dead leader” Soleimani.

"ISIS considers the Shia branch of Islam to be heretical and has targeted shrines and religious sites in Iran previously."

 

CNN reports, "The US targeted a [single] member of an Iranian proxy group with “US blood on his hands” in a strike in Iraq, a US official told CNN.

"The target was a member of Harakat al-Nujaba, the official said, an Iranian proxy operating in Iraq and Syria, and the US had been watching him for some time before the strike.

"A second US defense official said, “The United States is continuing to take action to protect our forces in Iraq and Syria by addressing the threats they face.”

What a bunch of B.S.!

What about the Houthi? They attack vital shipping and the U.S. does nothing. This group of terrorists from the Middle Ages can do whatever pleases them.

ABC reports, "An armed unmanned surface vessel launched from Houthi-controlled Yemen got within a “couple of miles” of U.S. Navy and commercial vessels in the Red Sea before detonating on Thursday, just hours after the White House and a host of partner nations issued a final warning to the Iran-backed militia group to cease the attacks or face potential military action."

In retaliation, the UN Security Council called a meeting.

My point exactly!

 

More good news showing the Biden economy is on fire!

ABC Reports, "Hiring in December far surpassed economist expectations and rebuked concerns of a recession in the coming months, according to data released by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics on Friday.

"The economy added 216,000 jobs last month while the unemployment rate held steady at 3.7%, a historically low figure.

"The resilient jobs market aligns with optimism among many observers that the U.S. could avert an economic downturn, achieving a "soft landing" in which price increases return to normal levels while the economy continues to grow.

"The fresh data for December capped a robust performance in 2023, when the economy added a total of 2.7 million jobs!"

Many wonder what the naysayers are looking at. It certainly isn't the overall performance of the economy. Perhaps they are blaming the President for their individual misfortune.

 

Here is hoping that we will avoid a government shutdown, but don't get your hopes up. "My way or the highway" right wing Republicans can be pretty ruthless. Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-Ga.) said Monday that she will vote against any bill that results from the $1.6 trillion top-line funding agreement reached Sunday, because it doesn’t include enough funding for GOP priorities.

ABC reports, "Congressional leaders have at last reached agreement on the overall price tag of the next batch of government spending bills, lawmakers announced on Sunday -- a major step toward averting a partial shutdown that is set to begin later this month.

"The deal would set top-line spending for fiscal year 2024 at $1.59 trillion, the amount originally agreed to by President Joe Biden and then-House Speaker Kevin McCarthy during negotiations over the government's debt limit last year.

"The framework proposes keeping in place the $886 billion agreed to for defense funding in the 2024 fiscal year while also maintaining the $704 billion in non-defense spending that Democrats insisted upon during the debt limit negotiations.

"Agreeing on those figures allows lawmakers in the House and Senate to begin working on the text of individual spending bills -- an ongoing point of contention on Capitol Hill, particularly among House Republicans, a faction of whom ousted McCarthy in October amid infighting over how to move forward on spending legislation."

 

"The controversial move – to make Mayorkas the first Cabinet secretary impeached in nearly 150 years – amounts to a shift for the House GOP, which had set its sights on potentially impeaching President Joe Biden in early 2024. But with the Biden probe moving methodically and a number of Republicans still skeptical about impeaching the president, senior Republicans now believe targeting Mayorkas will be an easier lift as the border crisis becomes a defining campaign issue."

CNN reports, "Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin is being treated for prostate cancer and suffered complications that led to him being taken to hospital on New Year’s Day where he is still being treated, according to a statement Tuesday from Walter Reed National Military Medical Center.

"The statement revealed that the cancer was discovered in early December. He underwent a “minimally invasive surgical procedure” on December 22 called a prostatectomy to treat the cancer.

"On January 1, Austin was readmitted to the hospital due to complications “including nausea with severe abdominal, hip and leg pain.” He was found to have a urinary tract infection, the statement said.

"But on Tuesday, the Pentagon revealed that Austin had kept the reason for his hospitalization – the cancer diagnosis and the complications arising from his treatment – secret, not just from senior figures at the Pentagon, but Biden himself, raising huge questions about transparency and communications within the administration.

"National Security Council spokesman John Kirby said Tuesday that Biden only learned Tuesday morning of Austin’s diagnosis – hours before it was disclosed publicly. Previously, Pentagon spokesman Maj. Gen. Pat Ryder told reporters on Monday that the White House was also not notified of Austin’s December 22 procedure."

 

Trump's base of support lies within the rural counties of America.

Christie dropped out of the race for President. For the reason stated, this will have little effect in the Iowa caucuses, but it could have an enormous effect in New Hampshire and South Carolina where Haley once served as governor.

Politico reports,"Chris Christie is ending his longshot presidential campaign in what could be a major boost to Nikki Haley’s chances in New Hampshire.

"The former New Jersey governor has been the GOP field’s most vocal critic of frontrunner Donald Trump and had staked his campaign on the first primary state.

"But his path there narrowed as Haley started surging in polls on the heels of several strong debate performances and with the backing of popular GOP Gov. Chris Sununu, who also opposes Trump."

“I would rather lose by telling the truth than lie in order to win,” Christie told supporters in Windham, New Hampshire, on Wednesday. “It’s clear to me tonight that there isn’t a path for me to win the nomination, which is why I’m suspending my campaign tonight.”

We won't learn what Republicans think of all this. As thread shows, Republicans try to avoid Trump. Also, there is not one thread started by a Republican about Trump.

What irony! Republicans avoid Trump but want Americans to make Trump President!

 

CNN reports, "The Biden campaign is taking aim at former President Donald Trump over the economy, blasting his recent prediction that the economy will crash – and his hope it would happen before he would take office, should he win a second term.

"Biden’s campaign aides see the GOP frontrunner’s comments as an opening to push their economic arguments amid their own struggles with voters frustrated with the president’s handling of the economy. Plans are underway to lean into Trump’s comments, including a paid media campaign for Wednesday around CNN’s Republican Presidential Primary Debate and Fox News’ townhall with Trump, a source familiar with the discussions said."

"Amid their own struggles with voters frustrated with the president’s handling of the economy???"

We have the lowest unemployment rate in six decades. Inflation is under control, 3.1%. We have robust spending, and the stock market is going nuts in a very profitable way.

What the hell are Americans bitching about?

Of course, Republicans like Trump want a recession, but that doesn't account for Biden's low marks.

Will anyone answer the question? I doubt it.

 

As expected, no response to that report. Americans bitch, but they have no idea why.

ABC reports, "The number of Americans applying for unemployment benefits inched down to its lowest level in nearly three months last week as the U.S. labor market continues to flex its muscle in spite of elevated interest rates.

"Weekly unemployment claims are a proxy for layoffs. They have remained at extraordinarily low levels in the face of high interest rates and elevated inflation.

"In an effort to stomp out the four-decade high inflation that took hold after an unusually strong economic rebound [during the Biden administration] from the COVID-19 recession of 2020, the Federal Reserve raised its benchmark rate 11 times since March of 2022.

"Though inflation has eased considerably in the past year, the Labor Department reported Thursday that overall prices rose 0.3% from November and 3.4% from 12 months earlier, a sign that the Fed’s drive to slow inflation to its 2% target will likely remain a bumpy one."

What does our President have to do to please Americans from an economic standpoint?

I don't expect an answer.

 

The Times reports, "The former New Jersey governor Chris Christie’s decision on Wednesday to drop out of the presidential race shook up a contest for the Republican nomination that had appeared to be former President Donald J. Trump’s for the taking, giving a huge shot of adrenaline to Nikki Haley just five days before ballots begin to be cast in the monthslong nomination fight.

"The most obviously altered battleground is likely to be New Hampshire, where Ms. Haley, the former governor of South Carolina and Mr. Trump’s first ambassador to the United Nations, is within striking distance of the former president. Even without his endorsement, many New Hampshire voters who planned to side with Mr. Christie as an opponent of Mr. Trump’s are likely to flip to Ms. Haley, as is potentially some of Mr. Christie’s leadership team."

“It changes the whole story to Donald Trump’s worst nightmare, which is having to campaign and run on substance against someone who’s balanced budgets, who’s been a strong conservative leader and who, at the same time, hasn’t left chaos wherever she’s gone,” current New Hampshire governor, Chris Sununu said.

 

Finally! It's about freaking time!

Reuters reports, "The United States and Britain have launched strikes against targets linked to the Houthi movement in Yemen, four U.S. officials told Reuters on Thursday, the first strikes against the Iran-backed group since it started targeting international shipping in the Red Sea late last year.

"A Houthi official confirmed "raids" across the country, including in the capital Sanaa along with the cities of Saada and Dhamar as well as in Hodeidah governate, calling them "American-Zionist-British aggression."

"The ongoing strikes are one of the most dramatic demonstrations to date of the widening of Israel-Hamas war in the Middle East since its eruption in October.

"One U.S. official, speaking on condition of anonymity, said the strikes were being carried out by aircraft, ships and submarine. Two officials said Australia, Canada, Bahrain and the Netherlands provided support for the operation.

"The official said more than a dozen locations were targeted and the strikes were intended to be more than just symbolic."

It will be interesting to see Iran's reaction. If there is a reaction. Iran talks big, but the last thing she wants is a war with the U.S.

 

Earlier today, Iran seized an oil tanker. The Houthi attacks on shipping in the Red Sea are inspired by Iran. Does Iran have a death wish?

ABC reports, "An oil tanker was seized by the Iranian navy in the waters between Iran and Oman on Thursday, according to state media.

"Iran's state-run news agency IRNA published a brief story confirming the seizure by the navy but did not identify the vessel.

"Empire Navigation, the manager of the ship, later identified it as the St. Nikolas, a Marshall Islands-flagged, Greek-owned vessel. Empire Navigation said it has had no contact with the ship since 6:30 a.m. Athens time."

 

CNN reports, "The joint strike on Houthi targets Thursday evening hit nearly 30 locations, which may have had “multiple items” hit at each location, according to the director of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Lt. Gen. Dougals Sims II.

"He went on to say that there were "just over 150 various munitions used."

“Those munitions came from both maritime platforms as well as air platforms, either British or US in the air,” Sims II added.

"US Air Forces Central previously said in a press release that more than 60 targets at 16 locations were hit in the strikes."

The Houthis responded with one ballistic missile. It missed.

"The ballistic missile, fired Friday, “did not hit any ships of any kind,” Sims said Friday," CNN.

Iran hasn't responded at all, not even with harsh language.