It’s that time of the year when Hollywood begins to shower itself with awards. First the Golden Globes, then the Oscars. The winners make the same old inane speeches thanking executives for giving them opportunities to star in movies or TV shows, and then, they mention the scores of people on their “teams” who helped make it all possible. This group includes all the barely relevant individuals that preen the stars and serve as their personal slaves.

This year, all of the over-paid celebrities acted like they really cared about the young women who who have been abused and harassed every day since the beginning of movie making over a century ago, while they drank champagne. The starlets wore multi-thousand dollar black gowns to protest the eons of mistreatment of girls and women.

If all these people were truly sincere about their concern for the horrible conditions in their industry they would have boycotted the opulent backslapping event and accepted their awards by mail. But then there would be no red carpet and posing for the cameras and the celebrity magazines.

Seth Meyers got the ball rolling last night at the Golden Globes by making jokes about some of the sleazeballs that have been outed as sexual abusers in the past few months. It’s now okay to make fun of Harvey Weinstein by name because he can no longer blackball anyone who mentions his overactive libido.

For 30 years the man terrorized females with outrageous and shameful behavior and everyone looked the other way or grinned  and bared it to get a role. How many choice parts were delivered to women over the years because they gave into the darkest desires of powerful men?

Many of the women at the awards were subjected to this disgusting hazing process, but their memories are short because they achieved fame and fortune. Why didn’t some of these women speak up years ago to protect their sisters? I know, they were frightened and concerned about their careers. The women who took the dangerous first steps to out men like Weinstein should have been awarded Golden Globe statues this year.

Scores and maybe thousands of women have been raped, assaulted and degraded by men who abused their positions of power. How could this go on for so long? It’s all about money and fame, and of course fear. It finally came to head because some women put principle ahead of material benefits.

Maybe I’m in the minority, but I think Hollywood types are the most narcissistic people anywhere. They would do anything, and I mean anything, to get a role and be filmed and photographed. The money and notoriety these people receive is not commensurate with their skills- memorizing lines and shedding a tear at the right moment hardly warrants tens of millions of dollars of compensation. Yet these people just really love each other, and their groupies want to be seen with them in public. It must be great to be on the A-list.

As I looked across the room full of Golden Globe aspirants I couldn’t help wonder how many of the women were deflowered by men in attendance. Perhaps we will soon find out that several more male executives and actors with insatiable sexual appetites abused the women they worked with.

Now we are supposed to believe that aspiring actresses will receive parts based only on their performance in screen tests. Sexual favors will no longer be a part of the process in choosing a cast. Yeah right.

You may say that I’m being excessively critical of Hollywood. After all it provides us with  very good movies and TV shows that are enjoyed by millions. It’s true, the market has deemed that highly successful actors be paid a fortune to perform, just like high performers in other industries. But none of the other industries flaunt raw sexuality and bad behavior like Hollywood.

There was a moment where Meyers was nice enough to remember all the other people who are part of the cinema and TV process including hair stylists, makeup people, set crews, coffee and lunch getters, etc. It was a tribute to all those who are interns earning no money or those making $15/hour. It was so rewarding that the stars remembered all the peons and slaves who do all the sh-t work for so little.

I hate these award shows. I resent all the self- aggrandizing, politically correct egomaniacs. In fact they remind me of Donald Trump. And the affair was an opportunity for Oprah Winfrey to declare her intentions to run for president. That’s all we need is another neophyte in the Oval Office.

 

I admit I was anxious to read Michael Wolfe’s trashy book, Fire and Fury, about the Trump administration. My assistant scurried to get a copy of it for me on the first day it became available. I only had a chance to read part of the book and there have been no new revelations.

For the past year I’ve been very critical of Trump’s obnoxious, immature and self-aggrandizing persona. Yet I have been supportive of most of his agenda items. For those of you who have read my blog regularly you know I was in favor of the new tax cuts believing that if Americans have more money after taxes they would spend it and pump up the economy. Correspondingly I accepted the prediction that lower business taxes will make the US more competitive and higher profits will increase jobs and wages.

Further I’m supportive of Trump’s aggressive stances regarding North Korea, Iran and Israel, and his desire to have a strong military. And I want the federal government to stop illegal immigration, provide more jobs to decrease welfare, build and refresh our infrastructure and so on.

What I abhor and resent about the Trump administration is its total disorganization, never ending leaks and petty squabbles with anyone who disagrees with its direction, be they members of Congress, world leaders or other members of the administration.

Tweeting may be the next great communication tool of presidents, but I don’t believe anything substantive can be said with a few choice words. Policy should not be made at 4 a.m. by an insomniac president.

I read 75 pages, and Wolfe has done nothing other than to seek out anyone who has a gripe or negative comment about Trump. I’m beginning to think that the author is not at all interested in the whole truth or the other side of the story about Trump’s time in the White House. The more gossipy and dirty the perspective, the more likely Wolfe has it in his book. I guess that’s what sells.

We all know Trump picked amateurs to assist him and relies on even less experienced family members to advise him. The expectation that Jared Kushner was going to end the Israeli/Palestinian conflict is laughable. One cannot be elected president as a neophyte and select equally inexperienced individuals to create an organization to rule the the greatest country in the world.

We all know Trump is a 70 year-old child that has gotten his way his whole life. He needs constant self gratification and exaggerates (and lies) about everything he does to build his own self image. Americans expect their presidents to be mature, steadfast, inquisitive and statesman-like. Trump is none of these things.

His selection of outside advisors is an abomination and accounts for his administration’s disorganization and much of its criticism internally and externally. Steve Bannon is an egomaniac, a weirdo, who thinks he is the smartest man alive. Most Americans would not even invite him into their homes to hear his perspectives about government and leadership. He has no status as a senior political advisor for anyone.

Tillerson was a great businessman and is an ineffectual diplomat and organizer. He doesn’t have a clue how to handle Trump, so it’s no surprise that his ability to deal with Putin, Assad, Kim Jung-un and all the other maniacs that lead rogue countries is pathetic.

Sessions is a good and conservative man. He probably never met anyone else as ego maniacal as Trump. Since becoming Attorney General he has been impotent in his position and totally unable to deal with criticisms by the man who elected him

Almost everybody in America is critical of the way Trump behaves. They think he’s a liar, a misogynist, a self promoter, a really bad guy, etc. They are right. The man is despicable. So what are we learning from Wolfe? Not a damn thing. Absolutely nothing.

Perhaps, further into the book, Wolfe will talk policy and we will find out that Trump has a lot of good ideas for America. I doubt it but I will be steadfast about finding some balance in his tome.

And finally, Michael Wolfe is an incompetent advocate of his own work. He has trouble putting two sentences together. I saw him interviewed on Meet the Press. He does nothing to give his readers confidence that he’s is a good investigative reporter. Yet he’s going to get rich from the book.

Why did Trump and his staff allow this troll of a reporter to “sit on a couch” in the White House and interview the occupants? Trump obviously expected him to say positive things. He was delusion to think this would happen.

I’ll report back if I find a shred of balance in this book. Don’t hold your breadth and don’t waste your money. If you want to hear people bash Trump just turn on free TV to CNN, MSNBC, NBC, ABC or CBS.

While most eyes are on the president’s ongoing battles with the press and Democrats relating to collusion, other assorted charges, and North Korea, two extraordinarily important issues are unfolding abroad with much less fanfare.

The first is unprecedented protest in Iran, a country that always discourages dissent aggressively. The importance of this development is too great to ignore. Iranians are disgruntled with the priorities of the ayatollah leadership that controls the country with an iron fist. Most of the money generated by oil revenues and the $100 billion Obama gave Iran two years ago, as part of his efforts to endear himself to Iranians, has been used to fund the country’s nuclear program and subversive military adventures in Lebanon, Yemen, Iraq and Syria.

Iranians have experienced hyperinflation, food shortages and generally poor economic conditions that include high unemployment. Exacerbating all this is repressive governmental control of the daily lives of average Iranians.

The protests are yet another new Arab Spring in which average people are clamoring for more government spending to improve their lives. In addition unhappy citizens are demanding more human rights and democratic rule, all anathema to repressive government leadership.

The Trump administration via Nikki Haley, the US United Nations ambassador, are siding with and encouraging the protesters to the dismay of Iran leadership and all of Iran’s Shiite allies.

As expected other Security Counsel members are against US intrusion in Iranian internal affairs. A massive revolt in Iran would not be in the economic interests of several European countries and Russia along with the Shiite world. The opposition is saying that the US is using the protests as a means to ultimately abrogate the Iran nuclear deal. The derivative impact of the deal has enabled European countries to dramatically increase trade with Iran over the past two years since the signing of the pact.

It’s time for the US to do everything possible to encourage a regime change in Iran. More sanctions, even without support from other nations, are in order and recommended. This could be the final strike that could result in a change in government.

The second situation that has been somewhat underreported by the press relates to the Israel/Palestinian conflict. For the umpteenth time the combatants are trying to determine whether they support a one-state or two state solution. Unfortunately allocation of territory in a two-state process, among countless other issues, will hamper the process indefinitely. Israel is more than reluctant to cede land that might endanger its security. Additionally the future of Jerusalem is front and center since the decision by Trump to build an embassy in the Holy City.

A one-state process is not a path preferred by Israel because of the demographics in the country. Israeli population growth is very low (2% in 2016) while Palestinian growth was 106% from 1990-2008 (4.3% per woman in 2012). Over time the Palestinians would have substantially more citizens than Israelis similar to South Africa before its revolution. The minority would rule the majority, an unsustainable situation.

A one-state solution is not a path that Israel will take because of demographics. Yet the Palestinians, if they are patient would benefit by this strategy.

A change in the Palestinian strategy to one state could make peace that much more elusive.

 

USA TODAY provided a list of “7 Things To Watch” relating to President Trump in the New Year. This essay will discuss each of the items and include two others that are equally important.

North Korea. The maniac that leads NOKO continues to threaten the US, South Korea and Japan. Additionally he has indicated that he will launch more ballistic missiles in an effort to perfect their performance and prove that the continental US is in the range of his weapons.

In the meantime Trump has responded with tweets telling the world that he has greater nuclear power than NOKO (really Mr. President?) and that he will obliterate NOKO if it makes any stupid decisions.

The threat of nuclear devastation, and destruction of SOKO in a conventional war with its northern neighbor are the darkest clouds hanging over the world. Trump’s un-statesmanlike responses to this situation are disconcerting although in recent days Kim Jung-un has been in touch with SOKO to discuss working together to ward off military action by the US.

Infrastructure. A deal can be made between Republicans and Democrats on this issue. The specter of taking on more debt to bring our country’s roads and bridges up to snuff should not deter our lawmakers. Democrats appear to be amenable about working towards a resolution of this non-partisan issue. Plus it will increase employment among many working Americans.

Health Care. The health care system is in total chaos. Prices are soaring, premiums are increasing dramatically and availability of doctors is shrinking. Obamacare is a colossal failure even though liberals continue to laud the entitlement.

The objective of providing medical insurance for all Americans is a noble one. But the mandate that forced all citizens to buy excessive insurance coverage or incur a tax (recently abrogated), and Obama’s desire to pump up his legacy with this ill-advised and not well thought out new entitlement resulted in an expensive disaster. The focus of health care should be on those that cannot afford protection, not universal participation. Ultimately the expansion of Medicaid in every state is what the federal government ought to be encouraging.

Immigration. The problem is far greater than the 700,000 immigrants brought to the US illegally when they were children. Dealing with this group is only the first item on the immigration agenda. They should all be given a path to citizenship that includes good behavior over time.

The greater problem is the fate of 10+ million illegal aliens in the country that are stressing the financial resources of several states. Mass deportation is not feasible, although troublemakers should be rooted out and returned to their countries of origin. The path for these people should be rigorous. Finding jobs, learning English and paying taxes along with good behavior must be part of any deal.

The wall, at first a Trump pipedream, is becoming more viable especially if it prevents additions to the existing number of illegals in the US. And real vetting of immigrants, students, workers and visitors is critical to reducing terrorist threats.

Welfare. Welfare costs are skyrocketing. The US gives too many too much encouragement to sit at home and cash government checks. Able-bodied people, not children or the infirmed, should be required to work in lieu of receiving government support. Jobs should be available, and no exceptions should be made.

Liberals will fight this effort believing that handouts equate to more votes.

Iran. The jig is up. It’s time to put maximum pressure on this rogue state. Its leaders are fomenting trouble in many parts of the Middle East. The US has rightly sided with Saudi Arabia against Iran and should penalize the latter for grievous misdeeds. Greater economic sanctions will ultimately topple the current regime. Recent government protests are an indication that the people are unhappy and the end may be near for the belligerent ayatollahs.

The Iran nuclear deal is a farce. It’s bad in every sense. Iran will develop a nuclear capability and threaten all Sunni states and Israel. Iran is on a path that is exactly like NOKO. By waiting the US will end up in the same situation as it is with NOKO.

The Debt Limit. If Republican promises that the tax cuts will inspire greater economic growth and more tax revenues prove to be true, the US can afford to increase defense spending, pay for tax cuts and begin to decrease the deficit. Now is not the time to quibble over another two or three trillion dollars.

The problem began during the Obama administration when spending for health care and continuing the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan increased the deficit by several trillion dollars without any payoff.

My additions to the list include: the sexual abuse revolution and the Russian Investigation.

Sexual abuse. Abuse must end now. America needs to bring to an end all but the most serious cases of sexual abuse from the past. Significant crimes should be adjudicated. Prospectively businesses, federal, local and state governments, the military and religious organizations must adopt a zero tolerance policy against abuse. There should be no quarter for any new corroborated incidents of this ilk.

The continuation of the war between the sexes will be harmful to women in the long run. In fact they may actually lose ground by trying to avenge 7,000 years of male abuse in a year or two.

The Russian Investigation. It’s time for Robert Mueller to tell America what he has uncovered. It’s time to issue indictments, if any, and end this inane witch-hunt. The invasive activities of Mueller’s left wing gang of attorneys are not good for the country and are costing a fortune.

2018 will be a very stormy year. Hopefully the country will prosper, terrorism will subside, rogue nations will collapse and all Americans will be wealthier, healthier and happier.