Month: January 2021

As 2020 drew to a close, China and Russia strengthened their alliance through joint military maneuvers in both Europe and Asia. The move was solidified by joint operations of the two nations’ air and naval forces, as well as through diplomatic statements from Beijing and Moscow.

Vladimir Putin and Xi Jinping, conducted a wide-ranging phone conversation in late December that confirmed the strengthened cooperation between their governments, who share a goal of diminishing American influence throughout the globe.

Moscow released a summary of the conversation:

“The presidents…summed up the development of Russia-China relations of comprehensive partnership and strategic cooperation in the outgoing year. The leaders praised bilateral ties, stating that they have reached the highest level in history and are truly beneficial to both sides…In light of the 20^th anniversary of the Treaty of Good-Neighborliness and Friendly Cooperation Between the Russian Federation and the People’s Republic of China in 2021, the presidents reaffirmed their shared intention to further promote cooperation in all areas, including the implementation of major joint projects on energy and industrial cooperation. They paid special attention to the cross years of Russia-China scientific, technical and innovation cooperation to be held in 2020–2021.They also expressed their willingness to step up the coordination of steps in the international arena in the interests of regional and global peace and stability. The two leaders will continue to keep in regular working contact in the future.”

The official Chinese news agency noted:  “Chinese President Xi Jinping said Monday that ‘China is ready to work with Russia to unswervingly develop the comprehensive strategic partnership of coordination for a new era between the two countries, realize their respective development and revitalization, and make greater contributions to building a new type of international relations…By strengthening strategic cooperation, China and Russia can effectively resist any attempt to suppress and divide the two countries, and meanwhile forge a solid shield to safeguard international fairness and justice, Xi said…Russia is unswervingly committed to pushing for high-level development of the comprehensive strategic partnership of coordination for a new era between the two countries, he said, adding that he is willing to work with Xi to continuously provide strategic leadership and ensure further development of bilateral ties in the new year. Russia… stands ready to join hands with China to continuously support each other on issues concerning each other’s core interests, deepen strategic coordination and cooperation in international affairs, and contribute to global strategic stability.’”

An American Military News analysis quoted Putin stating “Russia’s existing cooperation with China was advancing China’s military power and  time will show how it will develop.”

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Japan Today has reported that “Russian and Chinese bombers flew a joint patrol mission over the western Pacific …in a show of increasingly close military ties between Moscow and Beijing. The Russian military said that a pair of its Tu-95 strategic bombers and four Chinese H-6K bombers flew over the Sea of Japan and the East China Sea. The Russian Defense Ministry said in a statement that the joint mission was intended to “develop and deepen the comprehensive Russia-China partnership, further increase the level of cooperation between the two militaries, expand their ability for joint action and strengthen strategic stability.”

In the Mediterranean, Moscow and Beijing have held joint naval maneuvers.

In their study of this extraordinary alliance, Douglas Schen and Melik Kaylan, in their book “The Russian-China Axis” describe the cooperation between the two giant states:

“Militarily, the two nations are cooperating and collaborating like never before…Put simply, this coalition has the potential to permanently and fundamentally alter international relations.  It was envisioned as, and it has functioned as, a counterweight to liberal democracy generally and the United States specifically…The Russia-China alliance—we call it a new Axis—already possesses extraordinary power, as it is clear not just with new economic and trade agreements and military cooperation but also in the areas of nuclear proliferation and cyber warfare.  Individually and together, Russia and China seek to undermine the social, economic, and political framework of democratic societies and our alliances in a way that has yet to be fully understood. Their efforts to do so are emboldened immeasurably by a United States that is losing the confidence and trust of its allies and partners around the world. “

Photo: The frigate Admiral Grigorovich of the Black Sea Fleet began to pass the Black Sea straits of the Bosphorus and Dardanelles in the direction of the Mediterranean Sea, where the ship will carry out tasks as part of a permanent formation of the Navy. (Russian Defence Ministry photo)

One of the most significant and controversial discussions in American politics is why there is such a contrast in living conditions in states with more conservative governments, as opposed to those with more liberal governors and legislatures.

Census figures provide a significant analysis. A glimpse at U.S. Census Bureau figures provides a clear picture.  The top five states losing population are New York, California, Illinois, New Jersey and Michigan. Combined, these liberal-run jurisdictions lost a total of four million people in the period of 2010—2019.

The reasons are not particularly mysterious.  High taxes, rampant crime, reduced personal freedom, and government activities based not on providing the best service but on pursuing an ideological agenda plague leftist states, a reality that has become even more pronounced as elected officials in those jurisdictions tilt even further to the left.

There is an additional factor, one that is not discussed as often as the others but of crucial importance, one that became far more evident in the face of the COVID crisis: manifest, utter ineptitude.

Recently, as the New Year has begun, it was revealed that despite the availability of COVID vaccines, some state and local governments, notably in New York, had failed to administer them efficiently. An analysis by Bloomberg News found that by the start of 2021 New York State had only given 32% of the available vaccine shots.  New York City was even worse, providing only 25.4%.

This is not the first, or perhaps even the worse, example of the Empire State’s disastrous response to the pandemic. Early on, local politicians responded to President Trump’s call to halt travel from China as “racist and xenophobic.”

Last February, then-NYC health Commissioner Oxiris Barbot, along with city elected officials, urged people to attend the densely-packed Chinese New Year’s celebrations. The next month, Mayor de Blasio stated “If you’re under 50 and you’re healthy, which is most New Yorkers, there’s very little threat here. This disease, even if you were to get it, basically acts like a common cold or flu.”

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The incompetence was not limited to the state’s largest city. On March 2, Governor Andrew Cuomo stated: “We have the best health care system on the planet right here in New York. So, when you’re saying, what happened in other countries versus what happened here, we don’t even think it’s going to be as bad as it was in other countries.”

When the extent of the crisis became undeniable, New York’s officials both panicked and abused the problem for tawdry political gain. Governor Cuomo said the state didn’t have sufficient ventilators, and blamed Washington. As it turned out, the nation produced more than enough ventilators for Americans, so many, in fact, that it became a chief supplier of the machines for the entire world.

New York State’s politicians then complained of a shortage of beds.  Washington provided both a U.S. Navy medical ship, the U.S.S. Comfort for non-COVID patents, and assisted in the transformation of the Javits Convention Center; both of which were barely used at all. In one of the worst mistakes by a politician in American history, Governor Cuomo sent COVID patients to nursing homes. His stunning error caused a minimum of 6,500 unnecessary deaths.

But for Cuomo, COVID was a victory, because the primary objective was not saving lives or stopping the pandemic, it was grabbing headlines that, during a presidential election, temporarily fooled citizens into believing that it was the incumbent conservative president, and not the classic incompetence of his own leftist administration, that was to blame.

As the vaccines, developed under the Trump Administration in record time, begin to defeat COVID, another plague is growing ever larger. Rampant crime, the direct result of no bail, sanctuary city, anti-police and other leftist ideological mantras is making the cities they administer resemble scenes from the “Mad Max” movies.  Unfortunately, left wing strangleholds on their states means that this disaster will grow worse.

Photo: Cuomo official site

From the U.S. State Department

United States Takes Action to Counter Iranian Support for al-Qa’ida

This week, Secretary Pompeo revealed new information about how the Islamic Republic of Iran has given a new operational headquarters to al-Qa’ida, the terrorist network with more American blood on its hands than any other.  For al-Qa’ida, Iran is the new home base.  Tehran gives sanctuary to the terror group’s senior leaders as they plan attacks against America and our allies.  Indeed, since 2015, Tehran has allowed al-Qa’ida figures in the country to freely communicate with other al-Qa’ida members and perform many functions that were previously directed from Afghanistan and Pakistan, including authorization for attacks, propaganda, and fundraising.

In 2016, the U.S. Treasury Department identified and sanctioned three senior al-Qa’ida operatives residing in Iran and noted that Iran had knowingly permitted these al-Qa’ida members, including several of the 9/11 hijackers, to transit its territory on their way to Afghanistan for training and operational planning.

The Iran-al-Qa’ida axis poses a grave threat to the security of nations and to the American homeland itself, and we are taking action.

Today, I announced the designations of Iran-based al-Qa’ida leaders Muhammad Abbatay (also known as Abd al-Rahman al-Maghrebi), and Sultan Yusuf Hasan al-‘Arif as Specially Designated Global Terrorists under Executive Order (E.O.) 13224.  Under the same authority, I also announced the designations of Isma’il Fu’ad Rasul Ahmed, Fuad Ahmad Nuri Ali al-Shakhan, and Niamat Hama Rahim Hama Sharif as leaders of the al-Qa’ida Kurdish Battalions (AQKB), an al-Qa’ida-linked group that operates on the border between Iran and Iraq.  As a result of these designations, U.S. persons are generally prohibited from engaging in any transactions with these individuals and their property and interests in property subject to U.S. jurisdiction are blocked.  In addition, it is a crime to knowingly provide, or attempt or conspire to provide, material support or resources to al-Qa’ida.

The United States is also committed to seeing that al-Qa’ida’s senior leadership based in Iran faces justice.  The Department of State’s Rewards for Justice (RFJ) program is announcing a reward for up to $7 million for information leading to the location or identification of Abd-al-Rahman al-Maghrebi, an Iran-based key leader of the al-Qa’ida terrorist group.

The Department is also re-advertising previously announced reward offers on three additional senior al-Qa’ida leaders, including two operating in Iran: Sayf al-Adel and Yasin al-Suri.

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Today, we are drawing attention to the nature of the Iran-al-Qa’ida relationship and are taking the actions necessary to crush al-Qa’ida and its links to Iran. We urge all nations to do the same – for the good of our nations, and of the free world.

Iran Threatening To Expel UN Investigators

In December Iran’s parliament passed a law requiring expulsion of International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) nuclear inspectors unless all sanctions are lifted. Today a member of the parliamentary leadership repeated that threat: all IAEA watchdog inspectors will be ejected unless sanctions are lifted. Once again the Iranian regime is using its nuclear program to extort the international community and threaten regional security.

Iran’s threat goes much further than violating the JCPOA. Iran has a legal treaty obligation to allow IAEA inspector access pursuant to Iran’s NPT-required safeguards agreement.  Violating those obligations would thus go beyond Iran’s past actions inconsistent with its JCPOA nuclear commitments.

Every nation, not only the United States, will attach great importance to Iran’s compliance with these obligations.  Nuclear brinksmanship will not strengthen Iran’s position, but instead lead to further isolation and pressure.

This threat follows on the heels of the Iranian regime announcing it has resumed 20% uranium enrichment at Fordow, the fortified, underground facility Iran originally constructed in secret, further breaching its nuclear pact. The world’s top sponsor of terrorism should not be allowed to enrich uranium at any level.

The United States fully supports the IAEA’s continued professional and independent verification and monitoring of Iran’s nuclear program. Iran’s expulsion of international inspectors must be met by universal condemnation.

The U.S.-China Economic and Security Review Commission has issued its annual report to Congress. The New York Analysis of Policy and Government will periodically present summaries of their work.

In 2020, Beijing aggressively escalated its pursuit of global leadership, revealing its ambition to imprint international institutions and influence  regions with the agenda of the CCP. Beijing refused to recognize its  culpability in the outbreak and spread of COVID-19, lashing out at its  critics and initiating a global diplomatic campaign to present itself as  the country best suited to lead the world from the devastation left in  the pandemic’s wake. As the world’s attention was focused on the  pandemic, China ramped up military intimidation of its neighbors  while levying economic punishment against countries that criticized  its behavior. The Chinese government’s imposition of a draconian  national security law for Hong Kong in June sent shockwaves around  the globe and demonstrated Chinese leaders’ disregard for their  international commitments as well as the aspirations of Hong Kong’s  prodemocracy movement. 

Chinese leaders confronted the fallout from the pandemic alongside  severe domestic and external challenges as they prepared to mark  a series of critical political, economic, and military milestones. The  PLA made steady progress toward its goal of becoming a world-class  military, although it appeared to only partially achieve its 2020 goal  to mechanize the force and admitted a two-year delay in redesigning  its personnel and policy systems under its overall reorganization and  modernization program. As the CCP prepared for the 2021 celebration  of the centennial of its founding, Party leaders reiterated concerns  over endemic corruption and bureaucratic ineptitude amid signs  of popular and elite discontent, especially with the government’s  mismanagement of the COVID-19 crisis. 

Facing growing opposition abroad and fallout from COVID-19 at home,  Chinese leaders intensified their campaign of ideological control  and repression. The Ministry of Education issued new guidelines  requiring ideological conformity within university curricula, while  new details continued to emerge regarding the CCP’s campaign  of cultural devastation and abuse of China’s Uyghur, Tibetan, and  Mongolian minority populations. Some experts began to argue that  the CCP’s campaign against Uyghurs, including forced abortions  and sterilizations, fits the legal definition of genocide. Meanwhile,  tensions with the United States escalated further as the CCP, under  General Secretary Xi, defined a more confrontational relationship with  the United States than at any time since the beginning of U.S.-China  détente nearly half a century ago. 

Key Findings 

▶ In 2020, China sought to project an image of confidence and  increased efforts to portray itself as a global leader superior to the  United States even as it faced an increasing array of challenges  at home and abroad. Meanwhile, CCP leaders took new steps to  silence criticism of the Party and demand praise for its actions both  among the Chinese populace and in foreign countries. 

▶ General Secretary Xi continued to emphasize the military dimension  of U.S.-China competition, instructing the PLA for a second year  to prepare for a potential military conflict with a “powerful enemy  adversary”—a phrase used by the CCP to refer to the United  States. The PLA commissioned its first indigenously produced  aircraft carrier and the first of a new class of advanced, large  displacement destroyers while continuing to struggle with persistent  weaknesses in its training and the limited command capabilities  of its officer corps. 

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▶ The CCP grew more openly confrontational toward the United States  and key U.S. allies and partners as Beijing increasingly demonstrated  its disregard for international rules, norms, and criticism of its  actions. This aggressive approach was typified by Beijing’s growing  use of economic coercion against countries that took actions Beijing  perceived as contrary to its interests. 

▶ Beijing ramped up its multiyear coercion campaign against its  neighbors, provoking military or paramilitary standoffs with countries  from Japan to India and much of Southeast Asia. Shortly after China’s  defense minister urged Beijing to use military force to stabilize its  periphery, a violent clash on the China-India border in June led to the  first loss of life between the two countries since 1975. 

▶ The CCP combined its aggressive actions beyond its borders with  increasing domestic repression. Beijing implemented a draconian  security law that ended the political freedoms it had pledged to  guarantee to Hong Kong, while new evidence emerged of the CCP’s  campaign of cultural genocide against the millions of Uyghurs and  Tibetans living under its rule. Concern about its abusive treatment  of ethnic Mongolians is also rising. 

▶ The U.S.-China relationship grew increasingly confrontational  in 2020 as both governments characterized the other in sharply  adversarial terms and unfavorable views toward China among  the U.S. public reached a new historic high. The United States  took significant new steps to curtail bilateral economic, scientific,  and educational exchanges. 

▶ The rapid spread of COVID-19 from Wuhan across China and  beyond its borders revealed a range of systemic flaws in the Chinese  governance system. Government authorities’ active suppression  of information, an overriding emphasis on secrecy and political  image, and bureaucratic paralysis combined to severely delay any  meaningful policy response. Evidence also emerged that Beijing’s  official numbers dramatically underreported actual cases.

Illustration: Pixabay

Judge John H. Wilson (ret.) turns his knowledgeable attention to the abuse of the impeachment power.

What exactly is President Trump alleged to have done to merit this impeachment?  According to the New York Times, “(t)he attack on the Capitol…was not a spontaneous eruption of violence. It was the culmination of a campaign waged by the president of the United States and his allies in Congress and the right-wing media to overturn the results of a free and fair election…the president held a rally on the National Mall and sent the angry crowd to march on the Capitol and stop Congress from declaring Mr. Biden the winner of the presidency…these efforts amounts to an unprecedented assault on the rule of law. Taken together, they constitute a crime so brazen that it demands the highest form of accountability that the legislature can deliver.”   

As is so often the case, the Times has its facts wrong again.  

What did Trump actually say to his supporters shortly before the Capitol protest?  “Our country has had enough. We will not take it any more and that’s what this is all about. To use a favorite term that all of you people really came up with, we will stop the steal… Now it is up to Congress to confront this egregious assault on our democracy. After this, we’re going to walk down and I’ll be there with you…We’re going walk down to the Capitol, and we’re going to cheer on our brave senators, and congressmen and women…You have to show strength, and you have to be strong.”  

These words occurred towards the beginning of his speech.  Near the end, President Trump said “(W)e’re going to walk down Pennsylvania Avenue, I love Pennsylvania Avenue, and we’re going to the Capitol and we’re going to try and give…our Republicans, the weak ones, because the strong ones don’t need any of our help, we’re going to try and give them the kind of pride and boldness that they need to take back our country.” 

These words would not appear to be an effort at sedition or in support of insurrection – and after the events at the Capitol, President Trump asked the rioters to stand down. “We have to have peace. We have to have law and order. We have to respect our great people in law and order. We don’t want anybody hurt…we can’t play into the hands of these people. We have to have peace.” 

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None of these statements coincide with the description given by the New York Times of a President sending a “angry crowd” to the Capitol to “stop Congress” from certifying the election results.  Yet these facts have not stopped the cries for yet another impeachment.

In 2019, the Democrats in the House voted an impeachment against President Trump.  After months of delaying tactics by these same Democrats, including requests for more evidence after the House impeachment hearings were held, the case was heard by the Senate, who acquitted the President of all charges.  As noted by NPR, “(t)he result of the process had never been in question after the House voted to impeach Trump in December. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., said months ago that he considered it ‘inconceivable’ that a sufficient number of Republicans would break rank and support removing Trump from office.” 

Now, these same Democrats are engaged in another effort to impeach the outgoing President, based on weak and inconclusive evidence.  The blatant political motive for this procedure?  To keep President Trump from running for office again in 2024.

In the words of President Trump, “It’s really a continuation of the greatest witch hunt in the history of politics. It’s ridiculous. It’s absolutely ridiculous.” 

Photo: Biden official photo

Judge John H. Wilson (ret.) turns his knowledgeable attention to the abuse of the impeachment power.

There is no one of any reasonable viewpoint who believes the “invasion” of the Capitol during the first week of January was a positive event.  What began as a Pro-Trump rally ended in anarchy, vandalism, and the deaths of five people, including one Capitol police officer, and a 14-year veteran of the Air Force. Widespread condemnation of those who pushed their way past law enforcement and entered the Capitol has been universal.  According to CNN, “NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg, who rarely comments on the internal affairs of the alliance’s member states, urged Americans to respect the outcome of the November election. His call was echoed by European Parliament President David Sassoli, who added, ‘We are certain the US will ensure that the rules of democracy are protected.’”    Even Pope Francis joined the chorus, stating that “he was ‘amazed’ by Wednesday’s events because the US is ‘so disciplined in democracy.’” 

Yet, these statements of disapproval were not limited to criticism of the protestors.  Former President Obama predictably blamed President Trump for the violence.  As quoted in Politico, “Obama said the insurrection will be remembered as ‘a moment of great dishonor and shame’ and that his successor, President Donald Trump, is culpable. He also faulted the Republican Party and the right-wing media ecosystem for the role they played in casting doubt on the integrity of recent elections.  ’Their fantasy narrative has spiraled further and further from reality, and it builds upon years of sown resentments,’ Obama said in a statement. ‘Now we’re seeing the consequences, whipped up into a violent crescendo.’” 

Democratic leaders in Congress have gone further – as reported in the Washington Post, “House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) and Senate Minority Leader Charles E. Schumer (D-N.Y.)…called for President Trump’s immediate removal from office, either by his Cabinet or possibly through impeachment.  ‘By inciting sedition as he did yesterday, he must be removed for office. While there’s only 13 days left, any day could be a horror show for America,’ Pelosi told reporters on Capitol Hill.”  

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The call for another impeachment of the 45^th President has increased in volume over the past few days.  In a tweet, Congresswoman Ilhan Omar (D-MN) volunteered to draft the Articles of Impeachment, saying “Donald J. Trump should be impeached by the House of Representatives & removed from office by the United States Senate…We can’t allow him to remain in office, it’s a matter of preserving our Republic and we need to fulfill our oath.” 

Donald Trump leaves office on January 20, 2021 with the end of his term.  In fact, by the time you read this, the Biden Presidency will probably have commenced.  So what could be the purpose in seeking the removal of someone with less than two weeks in elected office?

As explained by Ed Kilgore of New York Magazine, “there is a case increasingly being made for proceeding with impeachment and forcing a Senate trial of Trump that would conclude after January 20 in order to ban him from holding office in the future.”  And what is the basis for this case?  As Mr. Kilgore explains, “(i)t’s probably accurate to say the weight of expert opinion is that it’s entirely possible to impeach and convict a former president (or other former federal executive or judicial officer), because otherwise it would be easy for scofflaws to evade sanction simply by resigning.”    Unfortunately, it is not accurate to say that the weight of expert opinion favors impeachment after an elected official leaves office.  Distinguished attorney and Harvard Law Professor Alan Dershowitz does not agree.  As reported in the Epoch Times, “’(t)he case cannot come to trial in the Senate. Because the Senate has rules, and the rules would not allow the case to come to trial until, according to the majority leader, until 1 p.m. on January 20th, an hour after President Trump leaves office,’ Dershowitz said in a Fox Business interview on Sunday…’the Constitution specifically says, ‘The President shall be removed from office upon impeachment.’ It doesn’t say the former president. Congress has no power to impeach or try a private citizen, whether it be a private citizen named Donald Trump or named Barack Obama or anyone else.’”

The report concludes tomorrow

This article was provided exclusively to the New York Analysis of Policy and Government by Judge John H. Wilson, (ret.)

During the recent riots and looting after the death of George Floyd, Chicago BLM activist Ariel Atkins stated “I don’t care if somebody decides to loot a Gucci’s or a Macy’s or a Nike because that makes sure that that person eats. That makes sure that that person has clothes…(t)hat’s a reparation…(a)nything they want to take, take it because these businesses have insurance.”    She later expanded on these remarks, claiming that “The whole idea of criminality is based on racism anyway…(b)ecause criminality is punishing people for things that they have needed to do to survive or just the way that society has affected them with white supremacist BS.” 

While Ms Atkins opinion may seem extreme, her view has gained ground in the past few months.  Writing for The Nation, RH Lossin states “(n)othing symbolizes the exclusion, deprivation, and gross class inequality that characterizes our current economic system more perfectly than the luxury stores looted in New York City’s SoHo district…(g)iven that capitalism largely restricts pleasure to the consumption of goods, we should be able to entertain the idea that this taking of unnecessary things—while not a recognizably political act—is understandable or even a justifiable.” 

Most recently, in line with this desire to legitimize criminal activity as a justifiable reaction to poverty, the Seattle City Council is “considering a law that would excuse suspects from most misdemeanor crimes if they can be linked to poverty or mental illness…’In a situation where you took that sandwich because you were hungry and you were trying to meet your basic need of satisfying your hunger, we as a community will know that we should not punish that,’ Anita Khandelwal, King County director of public defense, told the station. ‘That conduct is excused.’” 

Yet, as we discussed, there is no real need for anyone to take a sandwich, or any food, to satisfy their hunger, nor to loot a business to put clothes on the backs of themselves or their families.  That being the case, then what is really behind these efforts to excuse and justify illegal activities?

One explanation can be found on the website, Marxist.com; “Black Lives Matter protests have broken out across all 50 states in the USA following the police killing of George Floyd in Minneapolis. The comrades of Socialist Revolution, the US section of the International Marxist Tendency, have been intervening in many of these protests, fighting on the frontlines alongside workers and youth of all races against the oppressive capitalist system and its murderous state. Only socialist revolution can end racism for good!” 

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Further, as described by Mark Thornton, a Senior Fellow at the Mises Institute, the recent looting and riots are in line with “the ideas of French philosopher, Georges Sorel, who thought relentless violence should be used against the institutions of capitalism. This would include the “general strike” so familiar in Europe to this day. This is in direct contrast to mutually beneficial exchange and the social cooperation of the division of labor. His ideas were influential with Marxists, fascists, Nazis, and advocates of unionism.” 

Thornton goes on to describe these activities as “syndicalism,” that is, “direct violent revolutionary action against the institutions of capitalism, such as security forces, property, particularly business property, and the rule of law. This approach is often adopted by Marxists, socialists, and fascists as a means of gaining power. At the root of the chaos and upheaval on our streets is an attempt at disrupting society and taking more control of it by Marxists, socialists, and ‘anarchists.’”  Thus, “(t)he riots, looting, and violence against people and their property is mostly motivated to achieve Marxist ideals via syndicalist activity (i.e., violence). Those employing these means include Antifa, Black Lives Matter, and especially the ‘anarchist provocateurs’ who adeptly turn peaceful protests into violent riots.”

There can be no doubt that Marxist “change agents” such as Ariel Atkins and the members of the Seattle City Council are actively fostering the myth that poverty has been criminalized by our society, and that the only way to achieve justice and equality is to halt the prosecution of these alleged crimes of poverty – including the looting of high-end retail stores.  Clearly, many Democratic mayors and governors have adopted this thinking, and have refused to enforce the law as written.

There is an enormous danger presented to our system by this way of thinking.  It is one thing for a young prosecutor or a French writer of the 19^th century to feel compassion for someone in dire straits.  It is another for a society to ignore and outright reject the rights of business owners to security and access to law enforcement.

Illustration: Pixabay

This article was provided exclusively to the New York Analysis of Policy and Government by the distinguished jurist, John H. Wilson, (ret.)

There are certain times when a criminal act inspires our compassion, and not our outrage.  For instance, when I was still a young Assistant District Attorney in Bronx County, New York in the late 1980s, I was assigned to prosecute the first appearance, or arraignment, of two men who had stolen food from a “Meals on Wheels” van.  Both were charged with felony theft.

The evidence, however, showed that both men had sat down after the theft and ate the food they stole.

Although I was only to conduct the arraignment, on my own authority, I reduced the felony charge against one of the two, who, through his lawyer, had expressed a willingness to plead guilty to a misdemeanor in exchange for a 9 month jail sentence (his attorney explained that the man wanted to “get his life together,” and spend some time off the streets).

Within days, my supervisors called me in on the carpet and castigated me for exceeding my authority.  When I appealed to their humanity and emphasized that these men had clearly stolen food because they were hungry, I was reminded that reducing the charge, no matter how justified, was not my decision to make.

I promised my supervisors I would follow the rules in the future – knowing full well that I would not.  When I was subsequently assigned the case of the second man, I worked out a favorable plea agreement for him as well.

Am I the first person to have pity on someone trying to feed themself by criminal activity?  Certainly not – in fact, the most famous example of this impulse occurred in February of 1846. “(T)he French writer Victor Hugo was on his way to work when he saw something that affected him profoundly.

“A thin young man with a loaf of bread under his arm was being led away by police. Bystanders said he was being arrested for stealing the loaf. He was dressed in mud-spattered clothes, his bare feet thrust into clogs, his ankles wrapped in bloodied rags in lieu of stockings.

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“’It made me think,’ wrote Hugo. ‘The man was no longer a man in my eyes but the specter of la misère, of poverty.’”  

Hugo incorporated this scene into his novel, Les Miserables, “the story of Jean Valjean, an out-of-work peasant who steals a loaf of bread in order (to) feed not just himself but his sister and her seven children…Hugo uses that loaf to smite society’s conscience and highlight the injustice of the penal system. “

In the years since 1846, the world has drastically changed.  Today, there are social networks including Food Stamps and the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children (WIC), which is designed to provide “federal grants to states for supplemental foods, health care referrals, and nutrition education for low-income pregnant, breastfeeding, and non-breastfeeding postpartum women, and to infants and children up to age five who are found to be at nutritional risk.” 

Remembering that “man does not eat by bread alone,” there is also public assistance available to put a roof over the heads of the impoverished as well as Medicaid, which “provides health coverage to millions of Americans, including eligible low-income adults, children, pregnant women, elderly adults and people with disabilities.” 

Are these programs perfect?  Have they eliminated poverty?  Far from it – but the resources available to the poor today are a far cry from the days of Victor Hugo and his protagonist, Jean Valjean.

Yet, despite these advancements, there are those who are not satisfied with the efforts made by our nation to reduce the effects of poverty.

The Report concludes tomorrow

Illustration: Pixabay

From the U.S. State Department

The United States Welcomes the Breakthrough to Restore Gulf and Arab Unity

We are encouraged by the breakthrough made with the Al-Ula Declaration today at the GCC summit, which marks a positive step toward restoring Gulf and Arab unity. We have long stressed that a truly united Gulf will bring added prosperity through the free flow of goods and services and more security to its people. We welcome the pledge today to restore cooperation in military, economic, health, counter-corruption, and cultural initiatives.

We hope the Gulf countries will continue to reconcile their differences. Restoring full diplomatic relations is imperative for all parties in the region to unite against common threats. We are stronger when we stand together.

The United States thanks Kuwait for its mediation efforts and support in resolving the Gulf dispute.

Sanctioning Companies Supporting Iran’s Metal Industry

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the United States is imposing sanctions on 17 companies and one individual in connection with Iran’s metals industry. The Iranian regime uses revenue from its metals sector to fund the regime’s destabilizing activities around the world.

The Department of State is designating China-based Kaifeng Pingmei New Carbon Materials Technology Co., LTD (KFCC) and Iran-based Hafez Darya Arya Shipping Company (HDASCO), a subsidiary of the Islamic Republic of Iran Shipping Lines (IRISL), pursuant to Section 1245(a)(1)(C)(i)(II) of the Iran Freedom and Counter-Proliferation Act of 2012 (IFCA). Both companies knowingly sold, supplied, or transferred, directly or indirectly, graphite to or from Iran and such graphite was sold, supplied, or transferred to or from an Iranian person (South Kaveh Steel Company and Arfa Iron and Steel Company) included on the Department of Treasury’s Specially Designated Nationals List. The State Department is also imposing sanctions on Majid Sajdeh, who is a principal executive officer of HDASCO.

The Department of the Treasury further designated 16 companies that are active in Iran’s metal industry, pursuant to Executive Order (E.O.) 13871. Iran-based Pasargad Steel Complex, and Vian Steel Complex, Gilan Steel Complex Company, Khazar Steel Co., South Rouhina Steel Complex, Yazd Industrial Constructional Steel Rolling Mill, West Alborz Steel Complex, Esfarayen Industrial Complex, Bonab Steel Industry Complex, Sirjan Iranian Steel, Zarand Iranian Steel Company, and Middle East Mines and Mineral Industries Development Holding Company were designated pursuant to Section 1(a)(i) of E.O. 13871 for operating in the steel sector of Iran, or for owning or controlling companies that operate in the steel sector of Iran.

Additionally, Germany-based GMI Projects Hamburg GmbH, UK-based GMI Projects Ltd., and China-based World Mining Industry Co., Ltd. were designated pursuant to Section 1(a)(v) of E.O. 13871 for being owned or controlled by Middle East Mines and Mineral Industries Development Holding Company. Treasury is also concurrently designating KFCC pursuant to Section 1(a)(iv) of E.O. 13871 for having materially assisted, sponsored, or provided financial, material, or technological support for, or goods or services in support of, Pasargad Steel Complex, a person whose property and interests in property are blocked pursuant to E.O. 13871.

The United States will continue to aggressively implement sanctions with respect to the Iranian regime, those who evade sanctions, and others who enable the regime to fund and carry out its malign agenda of repression and terror.

Illustration: Pixabay