Issues Under Fire

We could be witnessing an historic moment. We could be witnessing a learning and teaching opportunity for those too young to remember how bad it used to be. After witnessing Colin Kaepernick and Charlottesville, Va. we could be witnessing a resurgence of Black pride and unity. Both sorely need right now.

Now that North Korea has demonstrated to the world they've developed a nuclear arsenal as well as the capability to deliver it with some degree of accuracy, what you'll hear from the White House going forward is face-saving noise. If there was anyway to stop North Korea from attaining nukes, it would have been done already. The United States have had far more capable administrations deal with this issue and all arrived at the same conclusion. North Korea will not backdown. After detonating a 100 kiloton nuke triggering a 6.3 magnitude earthquake on Sept. 3 that could be felt in Japan, even a comparative numskull like Donald Trump should understand, to keep F-ing with these people is not a good idea.

So, anything less than Donald Trump being charged with obstruction of justice or found hanging in a closet because he couldn't take the pressure, we're going to take a well deserved break, have some fun and put the madness behind us for a while. When programming will resume has not been determined, but RetroVision Media will continue to post our classic movies everyday Monday thru Friday. Enjoy your summer and be safe.

To continue wasting time, energy, effort and precious resources chronicling the inevitable downfall of a mad man, would only give one reason to question our sanity. Therefore starting next week Issues Under Fire will go on a summer schedule, posting a weekly video version of this podcast. However, never fear, our angles will be just as sharp and our storytelling just as compelling.

As this political saga unfolds before our eyes in real time, the intrigue, tension, uncertainty, anticipation, excitement and apprehension is on full display. While Donald Trump could've simply put this issue to rest by handing over the "Tapes" or admitting they don't exist, he chose to keep the world in suspense. Donald Trump has turned his entire presidency into a series of gripping cliffhangers.

In this classic case of he said he said, there was only one way to determine who to believe. After all, we had two men conversing alone in a room and both maintaining very different accounts of what was said. So, we weighed the characters and credibility of both men. James Comey came across as man of both strong character and unquestionable credibility. However, Donald Trump has demonstrated time and again, not only is he a person of questionable character, most would agree, he literally has no credibility.

They Won't Talk!

When a young man in the 21st century decides to join a group with a reputation like ISIS, one has to wonder, what was the draw? An organization so vile, vicious and twisted that its been denounced and rejected by al-Qaeda (no choirboys themselves) could only appeal to the most depraved of minds. No normal person, no matter how marginalized, disaffected or disenfranchised, connects with a group that kills so savagely and indiscriminately. No normal person could be convinced to take the life of strangers whose done them no harm. Hence, no normal person would be susceptible to the ISIS narrative.

Unfortunately, currently here in America, there is no path to follow, because there is no leadership with a plan to follow. There's no plan to deliver better jobs, higher wages, affordable healthcare or more economic opportunities. There is no plan develop stronger international cooperation to avoid additional military engagements and or other international conflicts. And there is no plan to make America great again. Remember, it was the French writer Antoine de Saint-Exupery the said, "A goal without a plan is just a wish".

Within the next few days, Donald Trump will have to come before the American people and tell them he's sending thousands of troops to fight militants in Afghanistan. He'll have to explain why he's doing it, how much longer the war will take and why Americans should give even a damn anymore. That's not an easy task for any president, let alone one being investigated by the House intelligence committee, the Senate intelligence committee and the FBI, while a Special Counsel is silently snooping around in the background.

Yes, the international community is taking and they're not whispering. The word is, because the world can't get along with Donald Trump, the world must find a way to survive his administration. From climate change, to NATO, to trade, the United States is being consider an obstacle to global progress and a disruptive presence that threatens international stability. Moving forward, transatlantic relationships will be put on hold. All efforts will be made to avoid any serious dealings with the United States. Trump will be ostracized, isolated and eventually ignored.

For decades, Americans have been convinced that Iran was the horrible beast in the Middle East. Americans were told it was Tehran's Supreme Leader, Ali Khamenei planning and plotting death to the West. Up until now, Americans have been lead to believe Iranians were the world's leading purveyors of islamic extremism and terrorist activities, when in reality, Saudi Arabia fits that descriptor quite comfortably. And that's why continued U.S. support for Saudi Arabia is such a mystery.

As an objective observer, when it comes to world leaders, Vladimir Putin is as politically and tactically savvy as they come. While he's suffered some minor setbacks, Putin still enjoys the backing and respect of the Russian people because he's restoring Russia's prestige on the world stage. That's his job. But, as an American citizen, Vladimir Putin is dangerous, because he's proving U.S. counterintelligence may not be up to the challenge. If Putin is right, Russia will win WW3.

Knowing how Pope Frances has traveled the world washing the feet of the poor and knowing how Donald Trump has traveled the world wiping his feet in the faces of the poor, we wondered if "The Donald" even gives a damn about Pope Francis feeling concerning the most troubling issues facing the world.

Since leaks about the Trump administration have taken on the appearance of Death of a Presidency by a Thousand Cuts, we sense the resistance movement may have taken root in the Deep State. If so, the reason is clear Donald Trump's unfitness to lead. Since most of Trump's wounds have been self inflicted, government loyalist needn't feel guilty for ratting on him. Besides, these leakers are government employees. When they see something, they're supposed to say something.