#CWAA: Can We All Agree™ – 4/14/18 edition
April 14, 2018
Can we all agree, Mr. Trump will have a tough time convincing Americans that his missile attack on Syria was anything more than an attempt to distract attention from his troubles at home?
Can we all agree, the investigation of New York attorney Michael Cohen, could ensnare more people than the Russian investigation? Even Mr. Trump seems to agree.
Missiles in Syria
Can we all agree, Mr. Trump’s unhinged reaction to the Cohen investigation suggests he knows what’s coming?
Can we all agree, the war of words between former FBI director James Comey and Mr. Trump, favors Comey, if only because he knows more words?
Can we all agree, anyone who has raised children, knows Paul Ryan is lying when he says he’s leaving Congress to spend more time with his teenage children?
Can we all agree, Special Counsel Robert Mueller is probably happy to have the focus off his probe of the White House and on New York prosecutors – even for just a day or two?
Can we all agree, Mark Zuckerberg’s appearance before Congress proved one thing, elected officials have no idea how technology works?
Can we all agree, the legal pot industry can finally exhale, now that the administration has agreed not to prosecute marijuana users in states where it is legal?
Can we all agree, journalism is under assault from multiple forces determined to push a conservative agenda?
Can we all agree, the courts must continue to protect sanctuary states from the administration’s the vindictive policies?
Can we all agree, there was so much other news this week, no one noticed the continuing flood of ethical issues enveloping EPA chief Scott Pruitt?
Can we all agree, the decision to reconsider the Trans Pacific Partnership trade agreement, leaves no doubt Mr. Trump’s ‘policy decisions’ are based solely on his ever changing mood?
Can we all agree, the same could be said for his pardoning of Scooter Libby and his investigation into Postal Service contracts?
Can we all agree, whoever thought giving teachers small baseball bats, even as a symbol of defiance, really has no understanding of the mood in our schools after the Parkland tragedy?
Can we all agree, it’s comforting to see The Pope admit that he made a mistake in the Chilean sex abuse scandal?
Can we all agree, it won’t be long before climate science deniers find a way to put a positive spin on reduced ocean circulation?
Can we all agree, after years of railing against budget deficits, it’s pretty clear the GOP legacy will be trillion dollar deficits for years to come?
Can we all agree, no one is optimistic about the administration’s ability to negotiate with North Korea?
Can we all agree, as long as the White House zigzags from one policy crises to the next, there will be no coherent GOP message for their candidates in 2018 and Democrats will benefit?
Can we all agree, it’s ironic that this administration might be toppled by a former porn star and not Special Counsel Robert Mueller?
Can we all agree, travelers to LAX should be cheered by news that an elevated train system is planned to move visitors around the airport?
Can we all agree, the Governor of Missouri needs to resign?
Can we all agree, Budget Director Mick Mulvaney may not has wrecked the consumer watchdog agency, but it’s not because he hasn’t tried?
Can we all agree, there has never been a more unpopular winner of the Masters golf championship?
Can we all agree, the San Francisco 49ers’ response to the domestic violence charges against a player, was shocking – even in the misogynistic world of the NFL?
and finally:
If you attended a March for Our Lives protest, you participated in the third largest demonstration since Mr. Trump took office.
#CWAA: Can We All Agree™ – 4/7/18 edition
April 7, 2018
Can we all agree, despite verbal support from Mr. Trump, it sure looks like EPA chief Scott Pruitt has made some powerful enemies, who want him fired from his post?
Can we all agree, Facebook can make some changes, but it will never be able to satisfy critics since it’s business plan is based on selling our personal data?
EPA chief Scott Pruitt, will he be pushed out next? (NYT photo)
Can we all agree, China has the upper hand in any trade war with the US since they don’t have to worry about elections, public opinion and a stock market crash?
Can we all agree, the trade war with China will hurt Trump voters the most?
Can we all agree, Sinclair Broadcasting’s insistence that ‘must run’ segments sent to their stations are ‘non-political,’ doesn’t pass the smell test?
Can we all agree, it doesn’t look like the GOP tax cuts will be giving the Republicans much of a boost as long as Mr. Trump’s approval rating remains at record lows?
Can we all agree, even Wisconsin Governor Scott Walker seems worried that a blue wave will sweep the country this November?
Can we all agree, putting the National Guard on the border with Mexico, just underlines the fact that the immigration service cannot find enough people to patrol the border?
Can we all agree, bringing a loaded gun to a meeting with constituents is just asking for trouble, especially if you are a Congressman?
Can we all agree, it wasn’t a good week for former world leaders: ex-presidents in Brazil and South Korea are facing long jail sentences?
Can we all agree, Russian oligarchs sanctioned by the US have probably already figured out a way around the new regulations?
Can we all agree, even Trump supporters don’t believe that he didn’t know about the settlement his attorney set up with Stormy Daniels?
Can we all agree, anyone planning to visit a National Park should celebrate the government’s decision not to substantially increase entrance fees?
Can we all agree, after reading the terms of his settlements of the sexual harassment complaints, it’s pretty clear former Fox TV host Bill O’Reilly is just a disgusting human being?
Can we all agree, Kentucky taxpayers have every right to be upset that lawmakers hiked taxes on almost 95% of the state’s residents, but gave the richest 5% a tax break?
Can we all agree, Mr. Trump’s head-scratching reversal on Syria, is just one more example of the chaotic state of US foreign policy?
Can we all agree, supporting US businesses used to be the President’s job, but it appears no one told Mr. Trump?
Can we all agree, despite reports to the contrary, no one believes The President isn’t the main focus of Special Counsel Robert Mueller’s investigation?
Can we all agree, imposing quotas on immigration judges, might speed up processing, but it will probably leave justice as roadkill?
Can we all agree, most of us would be pretty happy with an offer of a single college scholarship – getting 20 is pretty remarkable?
Can we all agree, inviting Vladimir Putin to the White House, while you are being investigated for colluding with the Russians, defies all political logic?
Can we all agree, there will be more teacher walkouts across the country?
and finally:
How the SF Ballet gave one young girl from Puerto Rico a chance to achieve her dreams.
I may not agree with Chris Christie on many things but he summed up my view of Scott Pruitt pretty well when he told ABC News: “I don’t know how you survive this one, and if he has to go, it’s because he never should have been there in the first place.”
#CWAA: Can We All Agree™ – 3/31/18 edition
March 31, 2018
Can we all agree, despite a ‘major’ policy speech, one cabinet change, heightened tensions with Russia and a continuing stream of untrue tweets this seemed like a vacation week in the news business?
Can we all agree, it’s unlikely that, if Facebook’s Mark Zuckerburg appears before Congress, he will be able to improve his firm’s image?
Can we all agree, the most useful Facebook related stories have been those explaining how to access your own data and detailing how to delete your account?
Can we all agree, the most frightening story of the week is the ransomware attack that continues to paralyze the city of Atlanta?
Can we all agree, the courts will have the final say on whether citizenship is an appropriate non-political question for the 2020 census?
Can we all agree, the anti-semitism that lives in Europe, has a strong following in this country?
Can we all agree, we are headed for an educational crises, unless we start to pay teachers a living wage?
Can we all agree, the students from Parkland, Florida have brought out the worst in politicians, such as Rick Santorum, and commentators, such as Laura Ingraham?
Can we all agree, one of the more powerful moments in last weekend’s anti-gun rallies was the more than 6 minutes of silence led by Parkland student Emma Gonzalez?
Can we all agree, Malala Yousafzai’s’s return home to Pakistan, and Slovakia’s rejection of authoritarianism gives the world hope that change is possible?
Can we all agree, TV executives will not be the only ones watching to see if Rosanne’s TV show can maintain it’s appeal after the first few episodes?
Can we all agree, the anti-science approach of the EPA, will not serve them well, when they have to justify to the courts, why they are repealing fuel economy standards?
Can we all agree the EPA ‘talking points’ on climate change have no basis in fact?
Can we all agree, cancer warning labels on coffee are not the big issue being decided in a California courtroom: It’s the potential financial penalties?
Can we all agree, President Trump had no factual basis for his attack on Amazon? He’s just upset at Jeff Bezos, who owns the Washington Post.
Can we all agree, it seems likely that the courts will bail out the politicians and prevent the government from deporting the so called ‘Dreamers.’
Can we all agree, European leaders were probably shocked when Mr. Trump went along with their plan to expel Russian diplomats over the poisoning of a Russian citizen in England?
Can we all agree, it’s pretty clear the President feels rewarding his doctor for lying to the American people, is more important than picking a competent administrator to run the Veterans Administration?
Can we all agree, offering pardons to targets in the Special Counsel’s investigation, is patently illegal, and suggests the President is really having trouble building a competent legal team?
Can we all agree, given Mr. Trump’s pension for tweeting, it is odd that he has said nothing about Stormy Daniels?
Can we all agree, it’s possible Mr. Trump’s businesses will be his undoing?
Can we all agree, the Parkland students have succeeded in putting pressure on GOP politicians and have now gotten a second Republican governor to sign restrictions on gun purchases?
Can we all agree, the secret summit between the leaders of China and North Korea suggests the US can easily be out maneuvered in their upcoming negotiations?
Can we all agree, even science says that something can be done about gun violence?
Can we all agree, EPA administrator Scott Pruitt, doesn’t seem to understand that perception is reality when it comes to ethics?
Can we all agree, American’s reaction to the Parkland, FL shooting, and the death of a black man in Sacramento, CA show the racial divide that continues to exist in this country?
Can we all agree, even Trump supporters are tired of the President’s meandering, off-topic, stream of consciousness speeches?
Can we all agree, rumors that Paul Ryan plans to resign as House Speaker, are just wishful thinking by GOP conservatives?
and finally:
This beer league goalie lived every fan’s dream: 14 minutes (and 1 second) of fame.
#CWAA: Can We All Agree™ – 3/24/18 edition
March 24, 2018
Can we all agree, today’s protests against gun violence in schools are already creating some change: the DOJ will ban bump stocks the new budget bill allows research on gun violence and Citigroup is taking a stance on guns?
Can we all agree, when President Trump threatened to veto (and then signed) the last minute budget deal, it was just to keep the focus on him? He lost the battle – he really didn’t have any choice – Congress had left town.
‘March for Our Lives’ protestors in Washington DC, Saturday (NYT photo)
Can we all agree, the Saudi Crown Prince get what he wanted in his visit to the US – positive PR and billions in new weapons?
Can we all agree, the administration’s efforts to curb nutritional labeling, as part of NAFTA negotiations, does not bode well for the continuing obesity epidemic in the US?
Can we all agree, the widening plastic garbage patch in the Pacific, should alarm us all, but since we don’t see it every day, or even while we’re 0n vacation in Hawaii, everyone ignores it?
Can we all agree, Mr. Trump’s ‘edict’ on transgender troops is so confusing it is really meaningless?
Can we all agree, anyone who is shocked that Facebook, whose business plan is based on selling personal information, was used by political campaigns, is just naive?
Can we all agree, anyone who thinks there will be substantive changes to the Facebook business model, is just fooling themselves? Even if you mange to delete your account.
Can we all agree, we will all get to judge, whether the driverless car was at fault in the fatal traffic accident in Arizona?
Can we all agree, the verbal war of words between Mr. Trump and Joe Biden would be hilarious, if they were just schoolyard antagonists, but, like everything else, it has no place in politics?
Can we all agree, we can try to ignore the latest staff changes at the White House, but the elevation of John Bolton, the architect of the war in Iraq, is truly frightening?
Can we all agree, Sacramento protestors, need to keep the pressure on police to explain how an unarmed man, carrying a cellphone, can be shot 20 times in bis own back yard?
Can we all agree, Mr. Trump’s trade war with China will turn out to be just a lot of hot air, just like his tariff’s on steel and aluminum?
Can we all agree, changing lawyers will not help Mr. Trump’s defense against Special Counsel Robert Mueller?
Can we all agree, aides might think the President was ignoring warnings not to congratulate Vladimir Putin, but they should know, he is incapable of reading anything in his briefing books?
Can we all agree, it’s unfortunate that the heroic action of a resource officer in a Maryland school, will now be politicized in our gun debate?
Can we all agree, we are all numb to new revelations of Trump trysts, but they make for great TV?
Can we all agree, it would be easy to discount another celebrity running for office, but we already made that mistake more than once?
Can we all agree, seeing Tiger Woods on a PGA leaderboard,will invigorate the sport – at least until he retires to the senior tour?
Can we all agree, Saturday Night Live remains must-see TV for political junkies?
Can we all agree, getting tough on drug dealers will not solve an opioid epidemic that starts in doctor’s offices?
Can we all agree, throwing your wife under the bus, to defend your poor judgement, like HUD Secretary Ben Carson did this week, is not the way to foster a great marriage?
Can we all agree, no one can really figure out if Cambridge Analytics even knew what to do with all the data they stole from Facebook?
The Pacific garbage patch
Can we all agree, even $10,000 travel vouchers , will not improve United Airlines image?
Can we all agree, the least we should expect from the White House are press releases without misspellings and typos? But I guess that’s too much to ask of this administration.
Can we all agree, The Pope seems to having a tough month, almost as bad as the former president of Peru?
Can we all agree, the 2018 campaign for Congress has not even hit full steam and the 2020 campaign for President has already started in New Hampshire?
and finally:
If you are over 40, IBM is no longer the right place for you.
#CWAA: Can We All Agree™ – 3/17/18 edition
March 17, 2018
Can we all agree, now that Rex Tillerson has been fired as Secretary of State the only remaining questions is whether Mr. Trump will fire the rest of his cabinet in alphabetical order or by height?
Can we all agree, many in the GOP appear to be in denial about the trouble they face in the upcoming election season?
Students protesting gun violence in schools.
Can we all agree, Mr. Trump’s about-face on gun restrictions shows that this week’s student protests will have little short-term impact?
Can we all agree, it’s hard for non-engineers to believe that cracks in a newly installed bridge, like the one in Florida, do not pose a safety issue?
Can we all agree, #1 Virginia’s loss to a #16 seeded team, is the reason we all watch the NCAA basketball tournament?
Can we all agree, firing former acting FBI chief Andrew McCabe, late on a Friday night, just 24 hours before he was to retire was just petty?
Can we all agree, Stormy Daniels, The President’s former lover, is winning the PR battle with Mr. Trump?
Can we all agree, charges against 5 doctors implicated in a drug kickback scheme are symptomatic of what’s wrong with the US medical system, where doctors are routinely paid to prescribe medications?
Can we all agree, when the leader of the free world jokes about lying to another world leader. we lose all credibility?
Can we all agree, the closer Special Counsel Robert Mueller gets, the more desperate Mr. Trump becomes?
Can we all agree, Russian President Vladimir Putin will never admit he was responsible for poisoning two Russian citizens living in London, but it’s clear the evidence was convincing enough for all the West’s major powers to condemn his actions?
Can we all agree, we’ve never had a Cabinet that has abused the taxpayers as much as the current group?
Can we all agree, Mr. Trump wants to appear tough on Russia, but he’s not going nearly far enough?
Can we all agree, The FDA deserves some credit for finally regulating the amount of nicotine in cigarettes?
Can we all agree, we all were once Toys R Us kids?
Can we all agree, Hillary Clinton still refuses to accept any responsibility for her loss?
Can we all agree, most of us do not understand Steven Hawking’s theories, but he occupied a unique place in popular culture?
Can we all agree, the most stunning resignation of the week was the now-former ICE spokesman in SF, who said he would not lie for his boss and the Attorney General?
Can we all agree, The House Intelligence Committee’s blanket dismissal of wrongdoing against the Trump campaign is so blatantly political that it is even making Republicans nervous?
Can we all agree, Education Secretary Betsy DeVoss, probably could not pass the competency tests required for high school seniors?
Can we all agree, China’s new leader for life will inspire other heads of state to try the same thing?
Can we all agree, hiring someone with a serious gambling problem as your personal assistant would be bad for a CEO, but for The President it’s just astounding?
Can we all agree, the head of the EPA doesn’t need a $43,000 sound-proof booth?
and finally:
Basketball Coach Steve Kerr knows what he’s asking about when he addresses gun violence.
#CWAA: Can We All Agree™ – 3/10/18 edition
March 10, 2018
Can we all agree, the only person who shed a tear for Martin Shkreli, when he was sentenced to 7 years in jail, was martin Shkreli?
Can we all agree, we’re all happy President Obama will get a Netflix show, but worried it will just be a series of dry legal lectures, that only a law professor could love?
Can we all agree, isolation may be one way to deal with the 2016 election, but there are many more Americans, like Democrats in Texas, who have chosen resistance?
Can we all agree, when Governor Rick Scott signed gun control legislation, he might have been the first GOP politician to figure out the people of Florida have more votes than the NRA?
Can we all agree, Attorney General Jeff Sessions, a long time supporter of state’s rights, revealed himself as they ultimate hypocrite when he sued California for enacting sanctuary laws that conflict with federal law?
Can we all agree, Mr. Trump’s decision to meet with the President of North Korea was designed by the President for one thing: to keep the spotlight on him?
Can we all agree, no one would be surprised if former basketball star Dennis Rodman was chosen to mediate the talks? After all he’s one of only two people who has met both men.
Can we all agree, the new chief of the Department of Health and Human Services shocked everyone by rejecting Idaho’s attempts to undermine the Affordable Care Act?
Can we all agree, Democrats have already won this coming Tuesday’s the special election in Pennsylvania by forcing the GOP to spend $16 million on what should have been an easy GOP win?
Can we all agree, the biggest losers in the power struggle at the Veteran’s Administration will be veterans, who cannot get the care they have been promised?
Can we all agree, the administration’s meeting with video game manufacturers, was designed to get the public spotlight off guns and congressional inaction?
Can we all agree, Republicans may not get behind the call for more mental hospitals, since they know it was Ronald Reagan who was largely responsible for closing many of the facilities?
Can we all agree, the creation 0f 313,000 new jobs, with little increase in wages, is the continuation of a trend that began 8 years ago?
Can we all agree, the world wants to see Stormy Daniels get her day in court?
Can we all agree, Trump’s tariffs will have foreign governments lined up to ask for exemptions while Americans pay more for everything?
Can we all agree, Treasury Secretary Steve Mnuchin seems to realize the United States has given China a HUGE present by refusing to sign the Trans Pacific Partnership?
Can we all agree, after 10 years of economic turmoil, it’s great to see the Greek economy reviving?
Can we all agree, it’s a bit redundant to say the Italian elections have created turmoil? Since WWII, Italian politics is the definition of turmoil.
Can we all agree, we need Angela Merkel to lead Europe, as a steadying force against Mr. Trump?
Can we all agree, Jared Kushner was exactly the wrong person to send to Mexico, to make peace with that country’s president, who just cancelled a trip to Washington because of his treatment by Mr. Trump?
Can we all agree, it’s about time we put to rest all this stories about the fate of Amelia Earhart?
Can we all agree, the Texas Senate race between Ted Cruz and Beto O’Rourke will easily be the most entertaining contest in this election cycle?
Can we all agree, only Donald Trump would dare to claim the record turnover in his administration was simply an attempt to get ‘the most qualified people’ to serve in his administration?
Can we all agree, we really didn’t need a survey to tell us ‘fake news’ travels faster than real news?
Can we all agree, everyone believes the Russian KGB was behind the poisoning of a former Russian spy and his daughter in London?
Can we all agree, President Trump needs to be held accountable for reversing his decision, and allowing Americans to hunt elephants and lions? I guess his sons really want trophy heads or their man caves.
Can we all agree, every new revelation about Special Counsel Robert Mueller’s probe, makes it clear he is building a conspiracy case against the President and his family?
Can we all agree, many more Americans appear transfixed by the latest episode of ‘The Bachelor’ than the latest episode of ‘The President and the Porn Star?’
Can we all agree, the real tragedy of the opioid crises is that it was totally unnecessary since the drugs don’t work any better than other treatments?
Can we all agree, Republicans will regret ignoring the improper activities of the Trump White House, when they try to press charges against Democrats in future administrations?
Can we all agree, Sam Nunberg didn’t deserve his 15 minutes of drunken fame?
Can we all agree, drivers will continue to voice their opposition to driverless cars, by targeting the vehicles?
Can we all agree, Michelle Obama might be the only First Lady to dance with a two-year-old who admired her portrait?
Can we all agree, Jerry Brown’s dream of the nation’s first bullet train, is dying a slow and agonizing death, in California’s Central Valley?
and finally:
Conservative Washington Post Columnist Jennifer Rubin has figured out the Democrat’s non-impeachment strategy.
And, where were you when you heard the news that Roger Bannister ran a sub-four-minute mile?
CWAA: Can We All Agree™ – 3/3/18 edition
March 3, 2018
Can we all agree, we’d love to be among the 2600 commoners invited to Prince Harry and Meghan’s wedding?
Can we all agree, we’re all starting to get a bit tired of Donald Trump’s management by chaos?
Can we all agree, no one believes Communications Director Hope Hicks, the latest departure, left the administration of her own volition? It was because she admitted she lied for the President.
Can we all agree, it is remarkable that a Presidential press secretary needs to clarify her boss’s remarks by saying “he said a lot of stuff this week that he really didn’t mean.”
Students in Parkland Florida, return to class this week. (NYTimes photo)
Can we all agree, everyone knew Mr. Trump had no intention of pushing Congress to enact any serious gun-ownership reform?
Can we all agree, Oakland Mayor Libby Schaaf was right to fight back against ICE. which resembles the Nazi SS as they ’round up’ law-abiding immigrants?
Can we all agree, trade wars are not good, and there are no winners, only losers?
Can we all agree, if a Democratic President had made the same statements that Mr. Trump made about seizing guns, conservatives would be calling for impeachment?
Can we all agree, everyone suspects Mr. Trump submitted his own fake nomination for a Nobel Prize?
Can we all agree, Jared Kushner’s business dealings in the White House have compromised our government and his role?
Can we all agree, the Trump brand continues to take a beating overseas?
Can we all agree, since it’s clear Congress will take no action on gun control, it’s good, businesses such as Walmart, Dicks, REI and Kroger will reflect public opinion? But will it make a difference?
Can we all agree, the US Park Service is bowing to political pressure in preventing the “March for Our Lives’ from using the National Mall for its march?
Can we all agree, since Vladimir Putin is guaranteed re-election you have to wonder who he is trying to impress by announcing a new weapons systrem, just before his own election?
Can we all agree, most of the increased profits generated by the GOP tax bill, are going to share buy-backs to benefit shareholders and are not trickling down to employees?
Can we all agree, it’s hard to predict who will be the next top administration official to leave, since Mr. Trump apparently has no use for his Attorney General, Chief of Staff, National Security Advisor or chief economic advisor?
Can we all agree, Mr. Trump’s dispute with with AG Jeff sessions, may be the most significant, since it’s caught the attention of Special Counsel Robert Mueller?
Can we all agree, it’s clear the only people who will work for this President are racists, who cannot find work elsewhere?
Can we all agree, the head of the US Olympic Committee should have resigned years ago?
Can we all agree, the disappearance of the Atlantic right whale is an uncovered disaster?
Can we all agree, HUD Secretary Ben Carson will have a tough time ‘canceling’ his order for a custom-made $31,000 dining room set?
Can we all agree, Delta Airlines should be applauded for standing up to the blackmail tactics of the state of Georgia?
Can we all agree, EPA chief Scott Pruitt is going to be traveling a lot less, now that he has to face coach passengers when he leaves Washington?
Can we all agree, very few people knew anything about pharmacy ‘gag orders’ – preventing pharmacists from telling consumer about cheaper drug options – until now?
Can we all agree, nuns at the Vatican have a right to be upset at the way they are being treated
Can we all agree, while Democrats have made some state elections gains, this month’s Congressional race in Pennsylvania, will be the next real test of how the electorate feels about the job Mr. Trump and the GOP are doing?
Can we all agree, trying to prevent the release of a video of your public speaking engagement, only guarantees the public will find out – just ask Treasury Secretary Steve Mnuchin?
Can we all agree, the President of Mexico never should have planned to visit the White House?
Can we all agree Mr. Trump’s pilot should not be running the FAA?
Can we all agree, there is no way Melania Trump earned the so called “Einstein visa’ designed for people of exceptional ability?
Can we all agree, the tough talk of Donald Trump running in to a school to confront a gunman is ludicrous, coming from a man who avoided the draft by claiming he had bone spurs?
Can we all agree, President Trump’s “hallucination tour” visit to California later this month will be be a real circus?
Can we all agree, Representative Don Young, should not be serving in Congress?
Can we all agree, Oklahoma is paying the price for believing the oil and gas industry assurances that fracking is perfectly safe?
Can we all agree, Russia has already succeeded in sowing doubt about the security of our election system?
Can we all agree, young immigrants may be happy they will not be deported starting Monday, but what they really want is some definitive action by Congress and Mr. Trump?
and finally:
If you want to hear an exceptional athlete who will be famous well beyond his playing days, read this item about former Cal student Jaylen Brown.
or
You can read what President Obama had to say about sports in America, at the same conference this week at Harvard.
CWAA: Can We All Agree™ – 2/24/18 edition
February 24, 2018
Can we all agree, by proposing to ban the sale of AR-15 assault rifles to minors, Florioda governor, and Senate candidate, Rick Scott is doing the minimum he can, without totally alienating the NRA?
Can we all agree, President Trump has already flip-flopped once, and now apparently feels introducing more guns, by arming teachers, will gain him the most points with the NRA?
Can we all agree, it will take a lot more businesses cutting ties with the NRA, before the organization changes its position on gun control, but there has to be a starting point?
Gigi Marvin celebrates this week’s win by the women’s hockey team at the Winter Olympics. (NYT Photo)
Can we all agree, every grieving family in Florida wonders tonight, if their son or daughter would still be alive if a deputy had found the courage to go in to the Parkland school, or if the FBI had acted on the phone tip saying the Nikolas Cruz was ‘going to explode’?
Can we all agree, the drip, drip, drip of indictments and guilty pleas from Special Counsel Robert Mueller investigation seems to suggest that the noose may be tightening around the Trump family?
Can we all agree, the Conservative Political Action Convention is still fighting the 2016 campaign?
Can we all agree, Mr. Trump’s analogy about immigrants and snakes is simply wrong?
Can we all agree, when a world leader such as Justin Trudeau, can have a disastrous foreign trip, and get worse headlines than Donald Trump Jr. someone should be fired?
Can we all agree, GOP donor Sheldon Adelson just wants to have naming rights for the new US embassy in Jerusalem?
Can we all agree, it seems a bit suspicious that while Russian and Chinese ships were both filmed helping North Koreans avoid sanctions, no Russian ships were named in the latest round of sanctions?
Can we all agree, supporters of the ‘March for Our Lives’ protest in Washington may have set an unrealistic goal of attracting 500,000 people?
Can we all agree, California politicians have finally figured out how to deal with Trump’s threats, – just ignore him?
Can we all agree, the tide has already turned in the gun debate and supporters of gun control will be lucky even to see more money for gun-violence studies?
Can we all agree, with all the schedule maneuvering the networks did to get major events shown live in the US, you have to wonder who thought televising the gold medal women’s hockey game at 2:00 a.m. Eastern time was a good idea?
Can we all agree, the gold medal by the men’s curling team, will finally spark some interest in a sport that gets no respect?
Can we all agree, it’s nice to see a major company, like KFC, at least has a sense of humor, as it deals with a chicken shortage in the UK?
Can we all agree, even the latest climate skeptic being named by Mr. Trump would have to agree that Arctic temperatures 45 degrees above average is not normal and the world is not doing enough to avoid disaster?
Can we all agree, Melania Trump’s parents benefitted by the chain migration rule the President wants to eliminate?
Can we all agree, Jared Kushner’s nightstand will have less reading material on it, if chief of staff John Kelly decides a security clearance is necessary to read classified reports?
Can we all agree, on reflection, it seems pretty obvious why fewer people are working...the Baby Boomers are retiring – although it took the economists a while to figure it out, because it doesn’t fit the conservative narrative?
Can we all agree, the Russians are not the only ones who can use social media to inflame debate, and shutting down US born bots on Twitter is just the first step in making the internet a more open reflection of society?
Can we all agree, it’s tough to see a US President feign empathy with grieving parents one day and then read openly false conspiracy theories about classmates of slain students the next?
Can we all agree, the Trump administration simply has no regard for ethics either personally or in the awarding of no-bid contracts?
Can we all agree, Americans have a low opinion of most politicians because some just say stupid things such as “most shooters are Democrats.”
Can we all agree, Florida voters will forget Senator Marco Rubio’s performance this week, if he runs for re-election in 5 years?
Can we all agree, the rest of the GOP will feel the heat in the upcoming special elections and the mid-terms?
Can we all agree, if Beto O’Rourke can force the GOP to spend money defending Senator Ted Cruz, his long-shot bid would be worth the effort?
Can we all agree, Mr. Trump’s attempts to blame Mr. Obama for allowing Russian meddling, conveniently ignores the role Senator Mitch McConnell played?
Can we all agree, a return to paper ballots may be the answer to our election mess but it won’t change how a foreign country can mold public opinion?
Can we all agree, the new court-drawn Pennsylvania House districts may change that state’s politics and determine who controls congress after the 2018 elections?
Can we all agree, it’s one thing to have an affaire, but why would the governor of Missouri take nude pictures of his partner and think they wouldn’t cause problems later?
Can we all agree, Israeli President Benjamin Netanyahu may be the only Democratically elected leader in more trouble than Mr. Trump?
Can we all agree Billy Graham’s crusades marked the rebirth of the evangelical movement, but to many Jews he was just another anti-semite?
Can we all agree, given a choice between robots and immigrants, we’d all take the immigrants over the robots?
Can we all agree, this new AI drone technology will be put to use in all the wrong ways before long?
Can we all agree, Lebron James spoke for every athlete when he answered Laura Ingraham.
Can we all agree, it’s about time Neanderthals got credit for the cave art they created 45,000 years ago?
and finally;
Next time you’re looking for a cruise make sure these folks are not on board.
and
If you wan to ad-lib the national anthem, don’t do it on national TV.
CWAA: Can We All Agree™ – 2/17/18 edition
February 17, 2018
Can we all agree, Donald Trump is the least empathetic president we have ever had, which is too bad since the families in Parkland, FL need his comfort?
Can we all agree, there is nothing Mr. Trump can do to comfort the grieving parents in Parkland, unless he addresses gun ownership and the NRA?
Can we all agree, there may be some reason to hope politicians will at least listen to young people who are the future voters and simply want to know why they continue to be slaughtered at school?
Students in Florida make their feelings known. Will the politicians listen?
Can we all agree, the FBI made a serious error by not paying attention to warnings about Nikolas Cruz, but calls for the resignation of the FBI director are just political posturing?
Can we all agree, Special Counsel Robert Mueller’s indictments have put an end to Mr. Trump’s claim that there was no Russian interference in the 2016 election? It also adds credibility to intelligence officials who know they will try again in 2018.
Can we all agree, the latest salacious stories about Mr. Trump’s multiple affaires probably will not change any opinions about him unless some criminal charges result?
Can we all agree, Mr. Trump has no interest in seriously reforming the nation’s immigration system or protecting ‘Dreamers?’
Can we all agree, changes to the White House security process are aimed squarely at the Prsident’s son-in-law Jared Kushner?
Can we all agree, opponents of VA Secretary David Shulkin, probably will not be appeased by the resignation of his chief of staff?
Can we all agree, the Trump cabinet is the most ethically challenged group of individuals ever to serve in government?
Can we all agree, the new report detailing the causes of our air pollution may be a revelation to some, but experts have been warning about the dangers of everyday chemicals for years?
Can we all agree, new tariffs on steel imports will not revive the US steel industry?
Can we all agree, Mitt Romney may win the Utah senate seat, but it will do little to prevent the continued destruction wrought by Mr. Trump?
Can we all agree, Rience Priebus’s revelations about what goes on in the Trump White House simply confirm what we all knew?
Can we all agree, Mr. Trump’s condemnation of domestic violence rings very hollow given his past actions?
Can we all agree, many Democrats are hoping Jacob Zuma’s resignation in South Africa is repeated here?
Can we all agree, Massachusetts Senator Elizabeth Warren did her best to blunt the criticism she knows is coming from Mr. Trump – as soon as he figures out what she was talking about?
Can we all agree, the Germans may have hit on a great idea by considering free public transportation?
Can we all agree, it’s pretty clear the drive to include a citizenship question on the census is just another Republican effort to prevent immigrants from being counted?
Can we all agree, in any other administration, that fact that US backed forces killed Russian mercenaries, would be a major international story?
Can we all agree, we all want to watch the Winter Olympics, but there are just too many events that do not interest Americans – especially if we are not favored to win?
At least one TV news show had a little problem with the location of the Winter Olympics.
Can we all agree, neither cost estimates of $30 million nor opposition from abroad, will do much to dissuade Mr. Trump from staging his military parade?
Can we all agree, anyone who has flown to Hawaii, understands the helpless feeling of the passengers on a United Airlines Flight when an airplane engine came apart over the Pacific Ocean?
Can we all agree, banning tackle football before high school will be a good first step, but the reality is that head trauma in high school and college is enough to do permanent damage?
Can we all agree, no one should plan dinner at Applebees?
Can we all agree, Trump’s food stamp program, providing pre-packaged food to food stamp recipients, would be funny if he were not serious?
Can we all agree, Mr. Trump’s infrastructure plan is just another bad idea that has mo chance of becoming law?
Can we all agree, Mr. Trump’s budget plan is not worth the paper it was printed on?
Can we all agree, if the Obama portraits at the Smithsonian were designed to stir debate they have succeeded?
Can we all agree, paid sick leave may do a better job of preventing the spread of the flu than the vaccine which is only 36% effective?
and finally:
When you look at those roses your bought on Valentine’s Day think about where they came from?
CWAA: Can We All Agree™ – 2/10/18 edition
February 10, 2018
Can we all agree, at some point even, Donald Trump will tire of the dysfunction in his own White House?
Can we all agree, two resignations and an offer to resign by the chief of staff, cannot be considered normal?
Can we all agree, no one is surprised that Donald Trump thinks spousal abuse is fine for an ‘honorable public servant’?
Vice President Mike Pence and his wife, standing in front of the North Korean delegation at the start of the Winter Olympics. (NYT photo)
Can we all agree, there was no chance The President was going to let the Democratic defense of the FBI and Department of Justice be made public? Expect a leak, soon.
Can we all agree, it won’t be long before Robert Porter’s girlfriend, White House Communications Director Hope Hicks, runs afoul of Mr. Trump?
Can we all agree, after this week’s budget agreement, neither Democrats nor Republicans can use the deficit as a reason to oppose government spending?
Can we all agree, even Paul Ryan and the Tea Party who spent the last 10 years objecting to Obama era programs, didn’t have the political will to vote against the plan?
Can we all agree, it won’t be long before there is no one left at the Department of Justice who could fire Special Counsel Robert Mueller?
Can we all agree, the message of peace and harmony, from the Winter Olymoucs, is a welcome respite from our internal political turmoil?
Can we all agree, if the government was really interested in Peace, Vice President Mike Pence and his wife should have turned around and publicly greeted the North Korean delegation.
Can we all agree, it’s hard to understand how intelligence officials, can be bilked out of $100,000 – aren’t they the people we rely on for accurate intelligence?
Can we all agree, using a top secret government computer seems like a perfect way to mine bitcoins – until you get caught by the KGB?
Can we all agree, Israel’s entrance into the Syrian conflict is an ominous new sign of the region’s continuing instability?
Can we all agree, Americans need continual reminders that this is not 1929 and the stock market is not the economy?
Can we all agree, 200,000 cases of fraud from the Wine Country fires are hard to fathom?
Can we all agree, it’s about time the International Court investigated the actions of Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte?
Can we all agree, Angela Merkel, lost some power but she did what she had to do to create a German government that was functional?
Can we all agree, Steve Wynn may have lost his job but he saved his company?
Can we all agree, we don’t need ‘lady friendly’ Doritos?
Can we all agree, god did the nation a favor, by declining to tell Michelle Bachman to seek a US Senate seat?
Can we all agree, the last thing this country needs is a military parade to boost Mr. Trump’s ego?
Can we all agree, it seems pretty clear the only person in the government who did not like James Comey, was Donald Trump?
Can we all agree, Rep. Nancy Pelosi didn’t win, but her 8-hour speech in defense of Dreamers won her respect?
Can we all agree, the world should be outraged by the Polish government in restricting free speech regarding the holocaust?
Can we all agree, anyone who has ever bought a lottery ticket would gladly change places with the New Hampshire woman who declined to accept her $640 million lottery prize, because she didn’t want her name to be made public?
Can we all agree, Democrats who did not applaud Mr. Trump at the State Of the Union, were doing the MOST American thing they could: defending their right to free speech? And he was not trying to make a joke.
Can we all agree, if President Obama, former Attorney General Eric Holder and the Supreme Court all seem to be on the same side in opposing Reoublican gerrymandering, maybe we do have a way out of our electoral mess?
The deficit clock: both sides have thrown in the towel
Can we all agree, if the GOP wants to see how much trouble their candidates are facing, they only need to look at California where Republican candidates are already facing long odds for re-election?
Can we all agree, there is a very human dark side to the gig economy that no one really wants to discuss?
Can we all agree, Elon Musk has successfully disrupted the rocket launch business with his usual bravado – now if he could only deliver cars on time, he might even make money?
and finally:
If you want some examples of the right way to fight obesity, take a look at what Chile is doing.