Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein and FBI Director Christopher Wray testify before the House Judiciary Committee on issues relating to oversight of FBI and DOJ. Ongoing testimony continues:
UPDATE: Majority of Hearing Video Added
House Judiciary Committee Livestream – Alternate Livestream Link
National Economic Council Chairman Larry “Kuddles” Kudlow is back after suffering a mild heart attack. [Yikes, “mild“, is there such a thing?]
Appearing on TV with Stuart Varney Chairman Kudlow explains how the administration hopes to use the Foreign Investment Risk Review Modernization Act (FIRRMA) to enhance U.S. trade policy. Mr. Varney cannot comprehend Trump-speed in achieving a global trade reset:
.
While media wasn’t paying attention, President Trump brilliantly played congress to gain strategic trade leverage. Knowing political opposition would unite, POTUS Trump took a forgiving position toward Chinese company ZTE; Trump-haters and NeverTrumpers quickly aligned to push through hammer legislation designed to hurt China and by extension Trump’s position. However, Trump actually wanted the tool. POTUS now weaponizes FIRRMA as trade leverage against all 301 targets. Brilliant.
USTR Robert Lighthizer Final 301 Report on China Trade Infractions HERE
Part 2 of Kudlow interview below:
.
Statement From The President: I have often noted, consistent with the Section 301 action initiated by the United States Trade Representative, that certain countries direct and facilitate systematic investment in United States companies and assets in order to obtain cutting-edge technologies and intellectual property in industries those countries deem important. Accordingly, I directed the Secretary of the Treasury, in consultation with other senior executive branch officials, to report to me regarding appropriate measures to address these concerns.
I have been advised by the Secretary of the Treasury, the Secretary of Commerce, the United States Trade Representative, the Assistant to the President for Economic Policy, and the Director of the Office of Trade and Manufacturing Policy, among others, that Congress has made significant progress toward passing legislation that will modernize our tools for protecting the Nation’s critical technologies from harmful foreign acquisitions.
This legislation, the Foreign Investment Risk Review Modernization Act (FIRRMA), will enhance our ability to protect the United States from new and evolving threats posed by foreign investment while also sustaining the strong, open investment environment to which our country is committed and which benefits our economy and our people.
After reviewing the current versions of FIRRMA with my team of advisors—and after discussing them with many Members of Congress—I have concluded that such legislation will provide additional tools to combat the predatory investment practices that threaten our critical technology leadership, national security, and future economic prosperity.
Therefore, upon enactment of FIRRMA legislation, I will direct my Administration to implement it promptly and enforce it rigorously, with a view toward addressing the concerns regarding state-directed investment in critical technologies identified in the Section 301 investigation.
Should Congress fail to pass strong FIRRMA legislation that better protects the crown jewels of American technology and intellectual property from transfers and acquisitions that threaten our national security—and future economic prosperity—I will direct my Administration to deploy new tools, developed under existing authorities, that will do so globally.
To further ensure a robust defense of American technology and intellectual property, I have also directed the Secretary of Commerce to lead an examination of issues related to the transfer and export of critical technologies. Through this review, we will assess our Nation’s export controls and make any modifications that may be needed to strengthen them to defend our national security and technological leadership.
Additionally, I have directed the Secretary of State, the Secretary of the Treasury, the Secretary of Defense, and the United States Trade Representative to engage with our allies and partners to support their efforts to combat harmful technology transfer and intellectual property theft.
I applaud Congress on its progress toward passing robust FIRRMA legislation. I urge Congress to send me a strong bill as soon as possible and look forward to implementing it to protect America’s security and prosperity. ~ President Donald Trump
“Trump-Speed, they haz it; I’m the explainer”
The Supreme Court delivered a decision in the last week of its session that dealt a major blow to a California law requiring anti-abortion pregnancy centers to inform women about publicly funded abortion and contraception services. This was a very slick attempt to circumvent the First Amendment by forcing people to deliver a government script written by politicians. This was a 5-4 ruling delivered by Justice Clarence Thomas, where the court’s conservatives in the majority, stated that the law violated the First Amendment by compelling speech.
“Licensed clinics must provide a government-drafted script about the availability of state-sponsored services, as well as contact information for how to obtain them,” Thomas wrote. “One of those services is abortion — the very practice that petitioners are devoted to opposing.” The legal issue here may be abortion, but once you allow compelled speech on one issue, you will open the door to everything else. In a concurring opinion, Justice Anthony Kennedy wrote that the law was “a paradigmatic example of the serious threat presented when government seeks to impose its own message in the place of individual speech, thought and expression.”
California was trying to circumvent the law by demanding pregnant women be notified of their rights to an abortion. Those who support abortion have to look at all the ramifications once you open that door. You could also then pass laws if a woman seeks an abortion that she MUST view an ultrasound as the worker reads a script explaining about the growth of their fetus. You can pass a law that says you cannot beat your wife. The unintended consequence would be that a man could then beat anyone who was not his wife. Law turns on wordsmithing. As they say, God wrote the Ten Commandments and man has tried to express the same thing in more than one billion pieces of legislation.
If you allow compelled speech that orders a woman to be advised of her right to abortion, you will also authorize a compelled speech instructing a woman on the rights of a child if she seeks an abortion. There are always two sides to every issue. The last thing we need is compelled speeches written by politicians.
QUESTION: Mr. Armstrong; You have obviously been correct on the Euro. You even called the bounce but it stopped at 1.2550 and did not reach your ideal target of 1.28. You are saying that interest rates in Europe are more likely to rise faster than the ECB predicts. The French central banker Francois Villeroy de Galhau has also come out and said that a hike in interest rates from mid-2019 onwards will be possible. That contradicts Draghi. Running a small business here in Europe is difficult as you know. So we should look to try to lock in rates now before it is too late. Correct?
FK
ANSWER: Absolutely. True, the technical resistance and the Monthly Bullish were in the 128 zone. However, the euro just did not have enough energy to reach that point which is in itself an indication of inherent weakness. If we look at the long-term 30-year rates on the euro, support lies at 0.93% and resistance at 1.7%. A monthly closing above 1.7% will signal a move up to 2.33% to 2.43%. After that, expect a rapid move to 5%. A closing at year-end above 1.42% will confirm a sharp rally is underway
The deep minimum of Solar Cycle 23 and its potential impact on climate change has been interesting. In addition, a source region of the solar winds at solar activity minimum, especially in the Solar Cycle 23, the deepest during the last 500 years, has been studied. Solar activities have had a notable effect on palaeoclimatic changes. Contemporary solar activity is so weak and hence expected to cause global cooling. The Solar Cycle 23 began during April 1996 and had its peak in early 2000/2001. The decline phase thereafter extended from 2002 until December 2009. That was the longest decline phase of any of the previous 23 solar cycles. The overall length of solar cycle 23 extended for a period of 13.5 years from April 1996. As shown on this chart, notice that each cycle has been declining in intensity. Solar Cycle 23 was sharply weaker and what has come in Solar Cycle 24 is even weaker still.
This solar cycle minimum seems to have unusual properties that appear to be related to weak solar polar magnetic fields. The immediate Solar Cycle 24 began during 2009. It was a late starter given the extension of Solar Cycle 23 which interesting was a Pi Cycle extension of 3.14 years. This is true looking at the previous cycles of the 20th and 19th centuries warning that something is indeed unfolding here that is unusual. There are small polar coronal holes appearing which add to the complexity of coronal morphology. Coronal holes are most prevalent and stable at the solar north and south poles, however, these polar holes can grow and expand to lower solar latitudes. It is also possible for coronal holes to develop in isolation from the polar holes, or for an extension of a polar hole to split off and become an isolated structure.
We must pay attention to the fact that this magnetic configuration at the Sun is incredibly different from the one observed during the previous two solar minima periods. Magnetic activity during the years 2006–2009 has been very weak with sunspot numbers reaching the lowest values in about 100 years. This long and extended minimum is characterized by weak polar magnetic fields. We can see that we have been in an extended decline since the 18th century. This rather disturbing when we run correlations with this on the economic trends.
Earth’s atmosphere varies opposite to the solar activity since the cosmic ray particles are deflected by the Sun’s magnetic field to a greater or lesser degree. With increased solar activity (and stronger magnetic fields), the cosmic ray intensity decreases, and with it the amount of cloud coverage, resulting in a rise of temperatures on Earth. Conversely, a reduction in solar activity produces lower temperatures.
Current Solar Cycle 24 has been declining much faster than expected. There is some concern that Solar Cycle 24 might possibly extend as well for the weather has been getting excessively colder in the northern regions. The peak in the cycle arrived during April 2014 reaching an average sunspot number of 82. While the peak value was within the expected range of error for the general forecasts, the maximum occurred significantly lower than the forecasts.
This is the current forecast for Solar Cycle 24. We can see the pink project is the forecast of the industry and it coincides very well with our Economic Confidence Model. I have stated before that I attended a presentation of the data collected from the ice core samples. It revealed a 300-year major cycle in the energy output of the sun. It matched the Economic Confidence Model I constructed from entirely different source data including the monetary history of human activity. I was stunned, for it demonstrated to me that the rise and fall of empires, nations, and city-states was also in part instigated by climate change. When it turns cold, this is when civilization contracts. The bottom of this immediate ECM is January 2020. The forecast for Solar Cycle 24 will bottom around that same time period.
We are running our models on all the data to come up with our own forecast for Solar Cycle 25, which will take us into the end of this 51.6-year Wave in 2032 and the culmination of the 309.6-year cycle in the ECM. As you can see, Solar Cycle 24 is significantly lower than the Solar Cycle 23. You can see why I moved to Florida. Preliminary findings show that each wave is progressively getting weaker and that may be in line with what we expect in commodity prices as well as what is to come after 2032.
Good news within a strenuously spun Reuters article. Don’t get lost looking at the granules; apparently all of the prior Canadian strategy against President Trump has failed.
For well over a year Justin from Canada and Foreign Minister Chrystia Freeland were confident they could leverage the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, purchased DC politicians and ideological allies against President Trump in NAFTA negotiations. The result? Fail, fail and more fail.
Running out of options, Canada now attempts to save their NAFTA construct by turning to the executives within the auto industry:
OTTAWA (Reuters) – Canada’s trade minister last week met senior officials from General Motors Co and Fiat Chrysler Automobiles NV in Detroit, as Ottawa takes its lobbying effort directly to the Big Three carmakers to avert potential U.S. auto tariffs.
The Liberal government is relying on industry partners to press Canada’s cause in the White House and elsewhere, using their influence to protect Canadian interests, sources with direct knowledge of the discussions told Reuters.
[…] The auto industry, Canada’s biggest exporter, represents about 500,000 direct and indirect jobs and contributes C$80 billion ($60.1 billion) a year to the economy.
“Instead of us galloping all over the United States talking to everybody, it’s really focused right now on the automobile manufacturers, the automobile suppliers,” said one source, who requested anonymity given the sensitivity of the situation.
The Canadian message was “now is the time to speak up, now is the time to exercise whatever influence you might be able to bring to bear,” added the source. (read more)
Or put another way…. “Halp”!
Each sequential step in the Trump trade strategy is designed to head-off any counter position by positioning individual best-interests ahead of any defensive group formation.
The Canadian and Mexican economy (due to NAFTA) cannot survive without importing cheap durable goods from China to use in their assembly-based economies, and then trans-ship into the U.S market. However, the U.S. economy can survive, it can actually expand BIGLY, without accepting trans-shipped assembled goods from Mexico and Canada
Put simply, without NAFTA, the assembly processes just moves INTO the U.S because the market *is* the United States. We are the $20 trillion customer. We hold the leverage.
Example:
NOTE: “Donnelly said in his opening remarks that there was already a rise in product being diverted to Canada in recent years and signs of even more since the U.S. tariffs began this year.”..
This is evidence of multinationals exploiting the NAFTA loophole to avoid U.S. tariffs. This fatal flaw is at the very heart of the issue within the U.S. trade policy inside NAFTA. As long as Mexico and Canada remain gateways for foreign good assembly and shipment into the U.S. there will never be a way for the U.S. to demand fair and reciprocal trade.
Canada knows their decades-long designed economic position as shipment/assembly trade-brokers is the central issue is the heart of the confrontation with USTR Lighthizer, Commerce Secretary Ross and President Trump. As multinational corporations seek to avoid Trump tariffs they only exacerbate the issue.
If Canada and Mexico don’t try to stop their duplicitous NAFTA benefit scheme, they will end up with even bigger trade surpluses and become even bigger targets for President Trump. In essence, the reason for Canada and Mexico being subject to even more encompassing Trump tariffs’ grows.
If Canada and Mexico do nothing to stop this influx; Trump will levy more than just steel and aluminum tariffs; he’ll likely tax their auto-sector.
As a consequence Canada moves do back-down Red Dragon:
The Canadian government is preparing new measures to prevent a potential flood of steel imports from global producers seeking to avoid U.S. tariffs, according to people familiar with the plans. The Canadian dollar weakened and shares in Stelco Holdings Inc. soared.
The measures are said to be a combination of quotas and tariffs aimed at certain countries including China, said the people, asking not to be identified because the matter isn’t public. The moves follow similar “safeguard” measures being considered by the European Union aimed at warding off steel that might otherwise have been sent to the U.S. It comes alongside Canadian counter-tariffs on U.S. steel, aluminum and other products set to kick in on July 1. (read more)
The bottom line is U.S. market access is what all production countries need for their goods and the sustainability of their economies.
Tonight President Trump attends a ‘Make America Great Again’ rally in Fargo, North Dakota. Co-hosting the rally is Congressman Kevin Cramer, hoping to unseat ND Senator Heidi Heitkamp in the 2018 midterms. Anticipated start time 7:00pm CDT / 8:00pm EDT With pre-rally speakers and events starting earlier
UPDATE: Video Added
RSBN Livestream Link – Fox News Livestream Link – Alternate Livestream Link
.
RSBN is urgently in need of Financial Support to continue operations – Help Here.
.
Earlier today President Trump’s National Security Advisor John Bolton met with Russian officials including President Vladimir Putin. At the conclusion of their discussions Mr. Bolton held a brief press conference to answer questions.
We anticipate that tomorrow a joint U.S-Russia announcement for a summit to be held later this year.
FBI Agent Peter Strzok appears before a joint house committee today for a closed hearing deposition. Mr. Strzok will appear before an open congressional hearing to be scheduled later. Today’s deposition is an opportunity to ask questions and get an “official record” of specific answers to multiple lines of inquiry.
Peter Strzok is at the center of four specifically known corrupt DOJ and FBI operations. 1) The Clinton exoneration operation. 2) The Trump investigation “Crossfire Hurricane”. 3) “Spygate”, and the abuse of the FISA court; and 4) The origin of the Mueller probe.
The deposition questioning is being directed from a hand-picked group of lawmakers. Judiciary Committee Chairman Bob Goodlatte determined who will ask the questions. One of the lawmakers selected was Jim Jordan.
.
.
Speaking to reporters in the Oval Office where he was joined by President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa of Portugal, President Trump delivered remarks on the announcement of Supreme Court Justice Anthony Kennedy’s retirement.
New Video Added:
I have created this site to help people have fun in the kitchen. I write about enjoying life both in and out of my kitchen. Life is short! Make the most of it and enjoy!
De Oppresso Liber
A group of Americans united by our commitment to Freedom, Constitutional Governance, and Civic Duty.
Share the truth at whatever cost.
De Oppresso Liber
Uncensored updates on world events, economics, the environment and medicine
De Oppresso Liber
This is a library of News Events not reported by the Main Stream Media documenting & connecting the dots on How the Obama Marxist Liberal agenda is destroying America
Australia's Front Line | Since 2011
See what War is like and how it affects our Warriors
Nwo News, End Time, Deep State, World News, No Fake News
De Oppresso Liber
Politics | Talk | Opinion - Contact Info: stellasplace@wowway.com
Exposition and Encouragement
The Physician Wellness Movement and Illegitimate Authority: The Need for Revolt and Reconstruction
Real Estate Lending
Centinel2012 