Opinion: If Sen. Graham is gay, then he has lived a life of hypocrisy in Office

Like maybe I’m having a clandestine affair with Ricky Martin, I know it’s really gonna upset a lot of gay men — I’m sure hundreds of ’em are gonna be jumping off the Golden Gate Bridge — but I ain’t available. I ain’t gay. Sorry”Lindsey Graham (07.07.2010).

The South Carolina Senator Lindsey Graham has allegedly been outed as gay. That he has ordered male escorts (sex-workers) to his home and gotten them to sign non-disclosure agreements. There is on story on Medium, where one comes out as one of them. His nickname is also “Lady G”.  Though I don’t know if the G is for the G-Spot, Gangsta, Grudge or Groin. There are so many things it could mean but that`s up for the Senator to reveal when he is ready.

However, the allegation isn’t new for this man. Greg Hambrick wrote the piece called “Is Lindsey Graham gay?” published on the 12th September 2007 in the Charleston City Paper. Where Greg stated:

In a post on who’s next out of the closet following Craig’s arrest, blogger Michael Signorile (www.signorile.com) first points a questioning finger at Graham. “Let’s have a real investigation of the rumors about South Carolina Republican Senator Lindsey Graham, who … has been rumored to be gay for years,” Signorile says. “Like Larry Craig, Graham has voted antigay — including for the federal marriage amendment — while people in South Carolina and Washington have discussed what some say is an open secret for a long, long time.”” (Hambrick, 2007).

Because, if Lindsey is a gay-man, he surely haven’t furthered their (LGBT) interests in office. Because he has to work like a Christian-Conservative and hence wouldn’t be expecting/acting as gay person would do. That is just a reality, that Graham cannot hide away from.

Maybe, that’s why he has done those years in office: In 1998 voted YES to ban adaption for same-sex couples in D.C. In 2006 voted YES in a Constitutional Ban on Same-Sex Marriage. In 2008, he supported an Constitutional Amendment banning Same-Sex Marriage. He has accepted in 2016 the verdict of Supreme Court not allowing Same-Sex Marriage.

This is just some of it. For me, its fine if he lives life as a gay and also be a proud “Lady G”. Lindsey can live his convictions and his conscience. Graham can love whoever he wants and I am not the one to judge that.

However, what is striking is the hypocrisy here. “If ” he is indeed Lady G, why would he has made life harder for LGBT or the LGBTQ community in the United States? As he has worked hard and have been directly involved in legislation and policies making life harder for them. Surely, he has done this for his own political gains and to show his stature as a conservative right?

Alas, there is where the problem lays now. As the backlash is coming towards Senator Graham. These speculations have been going on for years. Now articles from escort services are coming out too. This is clearly unleashing a backdrop, where the Senator cannot escape at this point.

So they say “the cat is out of the bag” : Senator Graham cannot just dismiss this as speculations, alleged affairs and such anymore. Especially, when the Medium Article goes viral. That is why his nickname is out and his other persona is viraly known. People like voters and most especially the opposing side will wonder what more dirty laundries his hiding.

Phillip Huang wrote this: “In November of 2013, Lindsey Graham hired me as an escort. We met at the Westmore Hotel in Baltimore. I did not know, of course, that it was Senator Graham (he used the name ‘Brad’ in his texts) until I opened the door. If I was surprised, I didn’t show it. I excused myself and went in the bathroom, where I googled his image, just to be sure. Yep. It’s Senator Graham, all right” (Huang – ‘Lindsey Graham Hired Me As An Escort’, 06.06.2020)

Graham can live with his own conscience and with his own life-style as he pleases. However, his policing and politicking into other people’s personal life over the years in office makes it really hard for us not to see the hypocrisy. All his past political bickering against the LGBT community is like his way of playing the “Great Pretender” if this is all true. Peace.

Opinion: US-China relations sours even more…

It is like the United States own failures is used as an option to hurt Chinese Business interests. This is not only the sanctions and stopping of Huawei trading in the United States. The US has sanctioned 24 entities yesterday for their connections to the Chinese Military. Also on the same day, the US Commerce did also put sanctions on 9 companies connected to the oppression of Uighur in Xinjiang province.

That means the US has put their mission and blocks certain companies. Also ensures that these corporations or entities less traction in International trading. Just as the US Department of Commerce put it: “The Department of Commerce’s Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS) announced it will add 24 governmental and commercial organizations to the Entity List for engaging in activities contrary to the national security or foreign policy interests of the United States. The entities, based in China, Hong Kong, and the Cayman Islands, represent a significant risk of supporting procurement of items for military end-use in China” (Commerce.gov, 22.05.2020).

Also, the other piece from them state this: “These nine parties are complicit in human rights violations and abuses committed in China’s campaign of repression, mass arbitrary detention, forced labor and high-technology surveillance against Uighurs, ethnic Kazakhs, and other members of Muslim minority groups in the Xinjiang Uighur Autonomous Region (XUAR). This action will supplement BIS’s first tranche of Entity List designations in October 2019 involving 28 parties engaged in the XUAR repression campaign in Xinjiang” (Commerce.gov, 22.05.2020).

Yes, the actions of China and Chinese government in concern to the Uighur people is outrageous and morally wrong. No question in my mind. The activity and the destruction of them as a minority is wrong. However, in my mind, this is using them as en excuse for US selfish reasons. This is insincere. Because, its not like the US will open the arms for immigrants fleeing similar situations elsewhere. The US is building walls and closing its borders for asylum seekers fleeing situations like the Uighurs. So, the US is using this an argument, but not a legit one from this administration.

This administration cannot even make good lies. They are so open on their motives. This is direct trade-war and efforts as a scapegoat in the midst of the tragic COVID-19 Pandemic. The US needs a scapegoat and righteously so is it fitting to blame Beijing and China. Instead of looking at own inaction and lack of concern to what happen.

The US has also already put tariffs on Chinese production and products already. Therefore, this is a continuation. However, by every step and every action. The US is losing leverage and they are also paying the price. They need to go elsewhere for trading similar things. If not pay more, as they are stopping certain parts of imports from there.

The Chinese are doing their wrongs too. Nevertheless, the Foreign Affairs wrote this yesterday, which state it perfectly: We urge the US side to abandon its Cold War mentality and ideological bias, follow the trend of the times, view China and China-US relations in an objective and rational way, immediately stop interfering in China’s internal affairs, harming China’s interests or undermining China-US relations, and work with China to bring bilateral relations back onto the right track” (Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Zhao Lijian’s Regular Press Conference on May 22, 2020).

This here says it all. Yes, the relations is based on both parties gives and takes. However, right now, the reality is that the one aiming and hitting one party. Is the US whose shooting down and tracing their targeted companies or entities. Just like last years tariffs and such, which has also slowed things down. The US is doing this and the Chinese has retaliated. This will continue. Just like the Chinese banned certain journalists and media houses within the Republic. That is all natural in the sense of the relations between them.

This is all hostile. There is not function or care. The US President says everything is China’s fault. While he hasn’t carried water for happen within his own borders. Therefore, that isn’t a fair assessment. It is an easy victimhood in this pandemic. Yes, the origin was from China. They didn’t do enough and do it correctly. Still, the US didn’t care about the warning signs either or did what they should have done. That is the 20/20 hindsight, which deems both parties wrong in the sense of acting in accordingly to the danger of COVID-19.

However, this is about the trade war. Where for every step the US is attacking and targeting companies of Chinese origin. They have to release proof of these allegations now. Especially, the list of Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD). Where the Commerce Secretary says these companies are connected with this. If so, I would like to see proof and leaked documentation of sensitive intelligence. To actually prove the allegations. If not, the US is just using their power and means to kick the Chinese. Because, it is useful to have an enemy in this troubling time.

The Chinese is far from perfect and their reign within the One-Party state isn’t peaceful nor democratically anything to aspire too. Nevertheless, the US isn’t that great on this either. Especially, the way Trump Administration is just another epitome of baroque king-pin from the Big-Apple and Trump tower in New York. That is why these measures has to be explained to be believable.

The US cannot con the world anymore. They could in the past, but not now. This US-China Trade-War is only proving what sort of hostile force it is. Instead of finding diplomatic measures or even doing the hard work of talks between the parties. It is easier to sanction and block someone, than actually do the work. That is how it seems. They are using excuses and arguments of legit reasons to do something. But, a very important but, they are not proving the reasons for doing so.

If these companies are what they claim. Prove it and show it. Unless, they hare having a smokescreen and another visionary moment similar to the Iraqi WMDs in the early 2000s. Well, I’m looking forward to see that.

Until then, this is a propaganda victory for the Trump Administration with no hold in reality. Since, they are just blocking someone without any proof. They could say whatever and argue for it. Still, a man like me wants reasons for it.

Unless, they are just finding fitting measures to pressure Beijing, but that is not something they can do too long. Because, Washington D.C. doesn’t have that much leverage. Since, for every step they do. There is less of a reason for the Chinese to serve or even work in association with the US anyway. Peace.

Opinion: Freeing Lt. Gen. Flynn is injustice

Today, there is news of dropping charges on former Trump advisor and National Security Advisor Lt. Gen. Michael Flynn. He was an illegal foreign agent for Turkey, lied about his meetings with Russian agents and connections to the Federal Bureau of Investigations (FBI). Therefore, the prolonged case and change of stance is now bearing fruits.

As the Trump Administration has its third Attorney General William Barr and his willing to be water-boy of the President instead of being an independent judiciary. Whose now serving the President’s will blindly.

To free Michael Flynn would be something dictators do to free their men from the tolls of the law. Especially, since he was serving as the part of the Trump Campaign and Trump Transitional Team before becoming the National Security Advisor. All of that was happening while he was doing shady back-door communication with both Turkey and Russia. Something he pleaded guilty to the Special Counsel Robert Mueller in November 2017.

So, its not like he haven’t already pleaded guilty to the crime of being an foreign agent without registration. Also, the statement of the Offense from 30th November 2017 says it all. However, AG Barr doesn’t seem to care. That people are willing to risk selling out information to Russian ambassadors and such. Not caring that Flynn was working for Turkey in the US. That is what this is signalling. As the US is supposed to go to the poll in November 2020.

This shows contempt of the law. Another proof that the Republican Party and President Trump doesn’t value rule of law. The law is only for their enemies and not for them. The law is only a tool for immigrants, but not for the ones whose made men like Flynn.

We are seeing the standard and the way they operate. The man was going to sentencing, but has been postpone for about two years now. They are now dropping the charges. While he was a man who broke the law, who did it knowingly and a man who served as a high ranking official.

That sort of man is dangerous and still he will be freed to the streets. A petty thief would linger in jail, heck a slinger of crack be decomposed in the pen. While this man who betrayed the Republic will walk free. That shows the merits of America under Trump or to correct it. The value of rule of law in Trump’s White AmeriKKKa. Because, this is who they are and what they will do.

Expect something to happen with Manafort and all the other cohorts whose already in jail. When they can touch Flynn who pleaded guilty. They can find ways to fix the others too. It is just a matter of time. Rule of law and justice is only a mirage for these folks. The codes of laws are only for the common man, not for the made ones. Peace.

Opinion: The Council to Re-Open America is a mix of nepotism, patronage and cronyism all-in-one

There been leaks on the Officials on the Council to Re-Open America. The White House, the Trump Administration new strategic group to ensure a safeguarding the opening of the market. Opening of the Republic after lockdowns, stay-at-home-orders and whatnot. However, the promise of a expert filled and promising team of individuals are something you have to look far after.

First is the appointments of the cronies, the family members with no unique talents or skills. Ivanka Trump and Jared Kushner. They are playing government and looking for the next pay-check.

Than you have Wilbur Ross, Larry Kudlow, Steve Mnuchin and Robert Lightizer, whose the money-team of the Administration. Their only concern is the market and how the economy is working. These individuals wouldn’t care if the streets was filled bodies and in a originalities state. There could be blood on the streets and vampires at night. As long as the bloodsucker’s at Wall Street and Corporate America is pocketing the mighty dollars. They wouldn’t care one minute of the toils, the depression or the devastations the citizens are going through. What matters is the bottom-line and eventual profit margins for the high and mighty.

Last person on this Council is the fourth Chief of Staff in the White House Mark Meadows, whose the right voice in the White House and Republican. Who has voted blindly for the views and for Team Trump in the House of Representatives. That is why his the man of the moment and gets appointed to this Council as well.

When people say the United States government right now is run like a Banana Republic and failed state. This sort of Council proves it. It is cronyism, patronage and nepotism blended into one Council. None of this men are qualified to follow any metrics of the pandemic. They have no education or nor skill in Health Care. This are not PHD in medics or anything. This is are economists, hawks and patrons of the President. That is why the advice these people give will be based on profits and possible kickbacks. Not, if it is wise to open the floodgates or not.

This is the proof of how mismanaged and rotten DC is at the moment. As Ivanka and Jared will be part of a team, whose sole objective is find excuses to re-open United States. To find solutions and ways to get the states to stop their lockdowns and stay-home orders. Since, this is the initial plan. To figure out a way to solve the crisis and reconfigure the failing economy. The unemployment and the rising poverty. Which is caused by the closure, the pandemic and the lack of proper planning ahead of the crisis. That is a screw-up, this administration did all on it s own and now the same cadres supposed to issue attempts to change that.

The governors has put these orders in place and are following state rules doing so. They are doing it by all means to stagger the COVID-19 by all means they have. While the White House has acted as a cheerleader, back-up and not as Federal Government. They have been on the back-burner. However, when it comes to financial objectives, not the health of its citizens. Then they suddenly want to act like a Federal Body and have a Council who put in place needed advice and guidelines for the state. Which is rich, as they are back-up and have their own stockpile, which is not for the states.

We have learned a lot since January 2020 about the lack of preparation, not taking warnings. Not acting rational. Not following advice and dismantling Obama’s Pandemic Team within the White House, because everything Obama gives Trump the Heebie-jeebies and therefore, he got shut it down.

We are now seeing the team of nepotism, patronage and cronyism in full effect. Don’t expect magic, don’t expect any results and only more hurt. These people are all there for the praise and glory of the President. Also for another pay-check, but that is it. Peace.

USA: 4 Senators letter to the Cheif Executive Officer Christian Swing of Deutsche Bank on the Trump Organization (07.04.2020)

China-US Standoff: The “Tit-for-Tat” enterprise continues

The US President calls the Corona Virus or COVID19, the “Chinese Virus”. While the Chinese comes with an conspiracy of US intervention and making up the virus itself. This is a common practice of deflections and also disinformation practices of parties that doesn’t want to take responsibility and also deflect their own inability to cape with the new problems at hand. Than, its easier to blame another party or make a make-belief story.

However, Trump dumb arrogance and ignorant attitude shouldn’t shape the world. Neither should the Communist party and their propaganda shape the world either. Nevertheless, we got to listen to them both and glean through it all, as we are all settled on this earth and got to live together on this planet.

Last month, the White House and Trump administrations put some new limits on the Chinese media houses in the United States. The 5 Chinese Media had to register itself and its employees. The Trump Administration also planned to limit the visas to the Chinese journalists in the US. These were targeting the Chinese media like Xinhua News Agency and China Global Television Network (CGTN).

This month and today, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the People’s Republic of China wrote this: “First, in response to the US designation of five Chinese media agencies as “foreign missions”, China demands, in the spirit of reciprocity, that the China-based branches of Voice of America, the New York Times, the Wall Street Journal, the Washington Post and Time declare in written form information about their staff, finance, operation and real estate in China. Second, in response to the US slashing the staff size of Chinese media outlets in the US, which is expulsion in all but name, China demands that journalists of US citizenship working with the New York Times, the Wall Street Journal and the Washington Post whose press credentials are due to expire before the end of 2020 notify the Department of Information of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs within four calendar days starting from today and hand back their press cards within ten calendar days. They will not be allowed to continue working as journalists in the People’s Republic of China, including its Hong Kong and Macao Special Administrative Regions. Third, in response to the discriminatory restrictions the US has imposed on Chinese journalists with regard to visa, administrative review and reporting, China will take reciprocal measures against American journalists” (China, 17.03.2020).

We are now seeing a return of the favour, which is a way of using the same means of retribution. When one does this, I do that. When my brother steal my coke, I take his Pepsi and so-on. This is what is happening, the Chinese targets US media houses and the US targets Chinese media houses. In this regard none of them wins.

They are both stopping transparent reporting and also outsider looking in. No matter what sort of ideals you got. This is a diplomatic dispute between two parties. Who both seek to revenge. Who both uses this means on journalists and the media houses. While there are some underlying conflict between them. Stemming from the trade-war or the tariffs, maybe even the rhetoric of the Trump Presidency or the CCP Party officials. Because none of them are winning at this, only loosing.

This is just political mind-games with the usage of the media as the pawns. It is right to question the Chinese media houses and their affiliation with the ruling party. However, the US media houses have often played the tunes of the ruling regime and been the voice of whoever in-charge there too. Not so all to critical or questioning the status quo. That is why, this is more a question of imperialism and whose on first. Than whose the big bad wolf.

Yes, this here isn’t the whole story, there are more to glean into it. However, the stories shared from China wouldn’t have been uncovered by their own. Unless, they had more brave whistleblowers and such. Who dares to speak out, but not like there are so many big voices who doesn’t follow the corporate government agenda of Washington either? Who is in the mainstream media there and whose critical abroad, but a nice acting puppy at home.

Well, that is my take on it. You might not like it, but this is view of an outsider looking in. They are both playing each other. There are no innocent here. Both have their own agenda, not just trying to cover one side or another. They want to undress each other and uses all means.

This was a “tit-for-tat”. Let’s see where this one goes, but this is not last card in the deck. There comes more. Peace.

Opinion: GERD negotiations without Ethiopia is an imperialistic move by the US…

The United States Administration holding meetings with the other parties of the Great Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD). However, the main party was holding separate meetings with the ones whose touched by the GERD, but not the one operating nor owning the dam. That is question of sovereign. Something, the US should understand, but they only understand it when it inflicts themselves.

The two statements from both parties shows the indifference from the United States, while the Ethiopian are answering it with a respectable tone. Even when the US is acting rogue on the matter. They even used the US Treasury on this and not the US State Department, which is weird in itself. Secondly, it was Mnuchin who was involved and not Pompeo. Which is very weird and seems like someone whose not knowledgable or having the capacity to understand the questions remaining in this matter are indirectly trying to negotiate it.

Just look!

Ethiopian Statement:

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Ministry of Water, Irrigation and Energy of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia noted with disappointment the Statement issued by the United States Department of Treasury on the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD) released on 28 February 2020, following a meeting held without Ethiopia’s participation. Ethiopia had notified Egypt, Sudan, and the US that it needed more time to deliberate on the process” (…) “Ethiopia as the owner of the GERD will commence first filling of the GERD in parallel with the construction of the Dam in accordance with the principles of equitable and reasonable utilization and the causing of no significant harm as provided for under the Agreement on the Declaration of Principles (DoP)” (Amare Asrat – ‘Ethiopian Government Statement on GERD negotiations’ 29.02.2020).

United States of America Statement:

Washington, DC – On February 27-28, 2020, U.S. Treasury Secretary Steven T. Mnuchin participated in separate bilateral meetings with the Ministers of Foreign Affairs and the Ministers of Water Resources of Egypt and Sudan. The United States facilitated the preparation of an agreement on the filling and operation of the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD) based on provisions proposed by the legal and technical teams of Egypt, Ethiopia and Sudan and with the technical input of the World Bank” (…) “The United States reaffirms its commitment to remain engaged with the three countries until they sign the final agreement” (US Treasury – ‘Statement by the Secretary of the Treasury on the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam’ 28.02.2020).

With this final statement by the US, the observer role is dead. They are indirectly interfering and also using their financial powers to get the Ethiopian partners to succumb to a final agreement. Even when the Ethiopian are saying they need more time, the GERD is built by them and on their soil. It is their waters that is filling it up. They are not doing anything illegal by doing so, they are only friendly neighbours by trying to make sensible deals with Egypt and Sudan. That is what the US should understand.

I wonder if they we’re thinking of revamping the Nile Waters Agreement of 1929, a relic of the colonial era. If not, maybe the US thought they could push the 1959 treaty as well. Just because they have the power, but that was before the GERD and it was other regimes in place in Sudan and Egypt. The US shouldn’t push for this ones. Especially, when the US is not involving the owner and operator in talks. Which is disappointing, but also revealing their allies.

Egypt and Sudan needs to cooperate with Ethiopia. They should do so directly to seek their grievances, not work in direct tandem with Washington D.C. especially when Ethiopia is not part of it. That shows the three parties isn’t working together, but trying to score brownie points with the US.

This is not sincere. The approach not to be configured, if there shall be trust between Addis Ababa, Khartoum and Cairo. GERD need another approach by all parties. Especially the US should act sincere, because this talks with others are of no good. The Ethiopian side needs to be listen too, since they are the owner and operator. Not some fool with no vision.

Sudan and Egypt should play ball with Addis, not make love stories with Washington. That is not how these sort of diplomatic negotiations should go. They should know this, unless they wants to be puppets of the US. Peace.

Haiti: Communique du Premier Ministre (18.02.2020)

Trump-Ukraine: Sen. Ron Wyden letter to Secretary of State Mike Pompeo (11.02.2020)

Trump-Ukraine: Statement by Ambassador David Pressman, Partner at Boles Schiller Flexner LLP, counsel to LTC Alexander Vindman (07.02.2020)