Trump talks North Korea, China, the Charlottesville Tragedy, and Steve Bannon

NO, the sky did not fall today with the eclipse and probably will not anytime soon on the planet either—just a tongue-in-cheek caution not to overreact to the news

In Brief

1. President Trump gave a clear thoughtful address Monday night outlining a new strategy for Afghanistan, South Asia and the fight against terrorism. It was remarkable for his recognition that what a President comes to know and consider when in the Oval Office is a great deal different than what any candidate or outsider understands.
2. Both N Korea and China “blinked” this week in their confrontations with the US over nuclear weapons, ballistic missiles and trade.
3. China’s foreign and domestic policy moves point more and more to their fear of an economic “hard landing” with their real estate and debt bubbles bursting. The US could easily cause such a downturn with aggressive trade moves but appears to be emphasizing more its need for help with N Korea at the current time.
4. The Charlottesville tragedy is just that, but the aftermath is far less clear than being portrayed in the media. The power to prohibit “hate speech” means the end of free speech. All need to consider what that portends. Especially crucial is the question, “who will define ‘hate speech’”? It won’t be University administrators, faculty or students. It will be politicians and judges. Is a Facebook post by a black Missouri state senator hoping Trump is assassinated “hate speech”? Would a Twitter post from a KKK leader hoping for the assassination of Elizabeth Warren, Bernie Sanders or Barack Obama be “hate speech”. Think about it.
5. A Marist Poll for NPR and PBS shows 62% of Americans think “statues honoring Confederate leaders should remain as an historical symbol” and 27% think, “they should be removed because they are offensive to some people”. Surprise you?
6. Steve Bannon is out at the White House and back at Breitbart News.