#CWAA: Can We All Agree – 10/15/16 edition
October 15, 2016
Can we all agree, as the First Lady noted this week, no-one would have imagined that the presidential election would turn on crude ‘locker room’ comments by a candidate?
Can we all agree, it’s hard to believe that almost 200 nations can agree on action to combat climate change, but the Republican Party continues to deny that there is a problem?
Can we all agree, Donald Trump’s reaction to the latest charges that he sexually assaulted women over the last 30 years, typifies his reaction to most criticism? It’s also typical of many third graders.
Can we all agree President Obama has been surprisingly down to earth in his criticism of Mr. Trump?
Can we all agree Mr. Trump is a creation of the GOP, although they won’t admit it?
Can we all agree that once again, Mr. Trump has managed to bury any bad news about Hillary Clinton coming out of the latest batch of leaked emails?
Can we all agree, the real test of American Democracy will be the day after the election?
Can we all agree Mr. Trump really wants to see violence after his election loss?
Can we all agree Hurricane Matthew may not be the most powerful storm to hit the US this season?
Hurricane Matthew from above
Can we all agree, Maine Governor Paul LePage should be impeached?
Can we all agree, it was revealing to see the students at Liberty University standing up to the admonish the school’s administration and oppose Mr. Trump?
Can we all agree, barring something really bizarre (as if we haven’t seen enough bizarre events) Mr. Trump has lost the election, everyone seems to know it except him?
Can we all agree it won’t be long before there is a major brouhaha because a passenger didn’t know Samsung’s Galaxy 7 Note is no longer allowed on airplanes?
Can we all agree it was remarkable to see GOP leaders abandon Mr. Trump last weekend and make a quick U-turn by Wednesday morning?
Can we all agree the world’s reaction to Haiti’s latest natural disaster has been unbelievably low key?
Can we all agree most of us were a bit confused when we learned Bob Dylan won the Nobel Prize for literature, but eventually it made sense?
Can we all agree Wells Fargo chief John Stumpf had to go, but putting his chief lieutenant in charge hardly makes it seem that anything will change?
Can we all agree all of Southeast Asia is on edge now that the Thai king has passed away and left the country in the hands of his son?
Can we all agree the Wells Fargo case has done more for the consumer financial protection bureau that any lobbying by Sen. Elizabeth Warren?
Can we all agree it’s great to know Ronald McDonald is keeping a low profile because of the recent clown scare? Now if we could mke that permanent we’d all be better off.
Can we all agree, it was nice to see that, for a change, no one criticized the President for striking back at Yemeni rebels who fired on US warships?
Can we all agree it’s nice to know we have plans to go to Mars, but we don’t plan on buying tickets when they go on sale?
Can we all agree it’s about time Arizona Sheriff Joe Arpaio and NJ Governor Chris Christie face charges?
Can we all agree that Ken Bone is a pretty unlikely hero from last week’s debate?
Can we all agree Sunday’s Presidential debate seemed like an afterthought by the end of the week?
Can we all agree no-one seems to be crying for the NFL because their TV ratings have dropped?
Can we all agree we have reached the tipping point with US-Cuban relations – the limits on cigars and rum have been lifted?
Can we all agree, if we ever needed a story to prove our unconscious bias, this was it?
Can we all agree, we’re glad we never had to call 911 for help while we were in Houston?
Can we all agree, if you have ever driven through California’s Central Valley on Route 99, you can understand why it is called the nation’s deadliest highway?
This week’s good reads:
One out of Georgetown University and another from the aftermath of Hurricane Matthew.
CWAA: Can We All Agree – 10/8/16 edition
October 8, 2016
Can we all agree we’re not really that surprised by the latest tape revealing Donald Trump’s attitude toward women?
Can we all agree Mr. Trump’s non-apology, apology will become a classic in future public relations manuals?
Can we all agree Mr. Trump’s comments will easily bury the leaked details of Hillary Clinton’s paid speeches to Wall Street?
Can we all agree, the fact that the speech transcripts were taken from hacked emails, hurts their credibility, but adds to the US contention that Russia is trying to influence the election?
Can we all agree Sunday night’s debate is really Mr. Trump’s last, slim chance to show non-supporters that he has anything approaching a presidential temperament?
Can we all agree the latest revelations might derail Mr. Trump’s already derailed new focus on policy?
Can we all agree there was no shortage of outrageous statements this week even before the latest revelations?
Can we all agree that by the end of the week we didn’t even remember fundraising activities by Mr. Trump’s foundation were closed down by the New York Attorney General?
Can we all agree the makers of the Epipen may think their $465 settlement with Medicare is not a guilty finding, but given their previous actions, most folks know they are guilty of something?
Can we all agree 156,000 new jobs may be tepid growth, but at least it’s still growth?
Can we all agree no one really understands the sudden ‘scary clown’ epidemic but school administratrors all over they country have been forced to assure parents that the situation is under control?
Can we all agree it’s good news to see that the Paris climate accord will take effect, despite what the US Congress thinks about global warming?
Can we all agree it seems Vladimir Putin’s plan to take over Syria while we are occupied with our election seems to be succeeding and the people of Aleppo are paying the price?
Can we all agree it’s hard for the rest of the world to understand how a country can vote against peace, but the Colombian president still deserves the Nobel Peace Prize?
Can we all agree even The NSA seems a little confused about whether they have arrested a spy or just someone who likes to hoard information?
Can we all agree, at this point, no-one even cares what happened at the vice presidential debate earlier this week?
Can we all agree, Yahoo seems to be trying to commit business suicide but agreeing to scan its users’ emails for the government?
Can we all agree, just when you think the President of the Philippines has insulted every world leader, he finds a new way to prove he has no business leading a Democratic country?
Can we all agree we have a few of our own unqualified elected officials?
Can we all agree there doesn’t seem to be a whole lot of enthusiasm for Google’s newly announced smart phone?
Can we all agree Fox News’s attempt at humor by stereotyping Asian Americans was disturbing – mainly because no one at the network realized how insulting it was?
and finally, two feel-good stories:
One about a 113 year-old man having his bar mitzvah and another of heart felt appreciation during the most unimaginable tragedy.
CWAA: Can We All Agree – 2/27/16 edition
February 27, 2016
Can we all agree there were no winners in this past Thursday’s GOP debate – only losers and the list is pretty long?
Can we all agree ‘debate’ is probably the wrong name for what turned out to be a WWF SmackDown of Mr. Trump?
Can we all agree that the GOP only has itself to blame for the monster they have created?
Can we all agree that NJ Governor Chris Christie must really dislike Marco Rubio to effectively end his political career by backing Trump?
Can we all agree that by this time next week both races will have been decided?
Can we all agree that having the backing of the White Supremacist movement will probably thrill Trump supporters?
Can we all agree that Mitch McConnell is doing the GOP no favors in refusing to even consider a Supreme Court nominee? He even managed to convince a Republican governor that being nominated to the court is really not that special.
Can we all agree that regardless of what happens in the battle between Apple and the Federal government over unlocking iPhones, at least the courts will establish some ground rules?
Can we all agree if Microsoft had a more popular smartphone Bill Gates would be on the same side as Apple CEO Tim Cook?
Can we all agree that no one really knows what’s going on in the Chinese economy? Not even the Chinese.
Can we all agree that the Chinese must be really upset with North Korea to go along with new sanctions backed by the US?
Can we all agree that the California legislature should approve a proposed bill ending Daylight Savings Time?
Can we all agree that if we had $400 million to give away, like Phil Knight, we might find something else to do with it, rather than giving it to one of the nation’s richest private universities?
Can we all agree that shutting down the prison at Guantanamo Bay is the right thing to do?
Can we all agree there will be no truce in Syria until Mr. Putin decides it’s in his best interest?
Can we all agree we have all become immune to climate change, when news that the sea is rising at the fastest rate in 2800 years doesn’t even raise an eyebrow?
Can we all agree there is something seriously wrong when, in one week, six people are shot in Michigan, three in Kansas, and five in Washington while the state of Iowa votes to remove the age limit on gun possession?
Can we all agree, while we are on the topic of guns, what Tennessee really needed was an official state gun that could be used to shoot down an airliner?
Can we all agree, now that charges against former Texas governor Rick Perry have been dropped, he should probably re-enter the presidential race?
Can we all agree it doesn’t really matter who heads FIFA if member countries do not really want to get rid of the corruption?
and finally:
Can we all agree watching 106-year-old Virginia McLaurin dance with President and Mrs. Obama brought a smile to our faces?
CWAA: Can We All Agree – 1/16/15 edition
January 16, 2016
Can we all agree that when the President proposes billion for research on self driving cars, we’ll start seeing them around town pretty soon, just like the early days of the hybrid cars?
Can we all agree that even if you were not fan, you are mourning the passing of David Bowie?
David Bowie from Jethrotull.com images
Can we all agree that the Delaware North Company should be embarrassed for seeking $41 million for the names in Yosemite National Park? It will be a long time before anyone out west calls the Awahnee Hotel anything but the Awahnee.
Can we all agree that the Planned Parenthood suit against the anti-abortion group which secretly filmed conversations with executives, will make sure the abortion issue remains on the front burner right through the November elections?
Can we all agree the public image of the men taking over that wildlife refuge in Oregon took another hit today?
Can we all agree that declining to issue new coal leases for mining on public land will be another blow to the coal industry already reeling from years of mismanagement and pollution?
Can we all agree that Thursday night’s GOP debate had some clear winners and losers?
Can we all agree that despite their best efforts the GOP establishment has not done much to dampen enthusiasm for either Mr. Trump or Mr. Cruz? Each man will probably notch a win in the the two early states.
Can we all agree that the so-called political experts don’t have a clue what will happen this year?
Can we all agree that even if Hillary loses in Iowa and New Hampshire, big wins across the South could propel her to the Democratic nomination?
Can we all agree that Sunday night’s Democratic debate could be critical for her?
Can we all agree that no matter how many stories pointing out how futile it is to buy a Powerball lottery ticket, one chance in 292,000,000 is better than no chance in 292,000,000?
Can we all agree that President Obama gave one superb speech in his final State of the Union?
Can we all agree that the President’s comments on gerrymandering of electoral districts is supported by every voter but opposed by every legislator with a ‘safe seat.’
Can we all agree that there is virtually no chance anything he wants will get passed in the next 10 months?
Gov, Nikki Haley of South Carolina
Can we all agree that Governor Nikki Haley does not deserve the vitriol she has been subjected to, for speaking the truth in her GOP response?
Can we all agree it will be great to have football back In Los Angeles? The question now is does it force teams in San Diego and Oakland, to stay put – as they should?
Can we all agree that the quick release of 10 US sailors who strayed into Iranian waters is a symbol of how our relations with that nation have improved? Another sign is the apparent release of 4 Iranian-American prisoners.
Can we all agree that Ricky Gervais has overstayed his welcome as host of the Golden Globe Awards?
Can we all agree that thanks to DVD’s and online movie streaming we at lease have a good shot at seeing all the 2015 Oscar nominated movies before the end of 2016?
Can we all agree that Sean Penn’s interview with a wanted drug kingpin stretched the bounds of acceptable journalism? Even Mr. Penn admits he did not achieve his goal.
and finally:
Can we all agree that we are all thrilled to know the exact spot where 18 alleged witches were hung in 1692?
Can We All Agree – 10/17/15 edition
October 17, 2015
Can we all agree that at this week’s candidate debate, even the worst performing Democratic presidential candidate sounded better than almost all the GOP candidates at previous debates?
Can we all agree that the real proof of Hillary’s performance will be her improved standing in polls over the weekend?
Can we all agree that VP Joe Biden has now missed his chance to get in to the Democratic primary?
Mud slides in Los Angeles (LA Times photo)
Can we all agree that is was refreshing to hear candidates discuss issues rather than looks, and hair style? The fact that no one left the debate feeling they were insulted, marginalized, or belittled, should not have been remarkable, but it was.
Can we all agree that we never really believed the President when he said all the troops would be out of Afghanistan when he left office?
Can we all agree that mud slides in LA, months before the predicted El Nino are an ominous start to winter on the West Coast.
Can we all agree that the Universirty of California at Berkeley gave itself a huge black eye in the way it handled the sexual harassment case of astronomer Geoffrey Marcy?
Can we all agree that even the Russian’s were not surprised when investigators said a missile made by Russia brought down the Malaysian Airliner over eastern Ukraine? Following the logic in their twisted response was nearly impossible.
Can we all agree that the new increase in violence in Israel does not bode well for any chance of peace in the near future?
Can we all agree that while everyone on the East Coast has a story about USAir (formerly Allegheny Airlines) we are sad to see the name disappear into American Airlines? My favorite is the time I was allowed to get on the wrong plane and wound up in Washington DC instead of Boston, MA.
Can we all agree that even Tesla’s description of their software for self-driving cars should make owners nervous?
Can we all agree that, despite what I said last week, fantasy football betting may be in real trouble now that Nevada has declared that it is, indeed, gambling? As they say, if it quacks like a duck and walks like a duck you can be pretty sure, it’s not a horse.
Can we all agree that if the old saying, “follow the money,” has any application to presidential politics, Jeb Bush is in a lot of trouble?
Can we all agree that Playboy’s decision to give up nude photographs will have little impact on their sales, since most men bought it for the articles anyway?
Can we all agree that when the GOP decides Paul Ryan is too liberal, they have decided that John Boehner may not be so bad after all?
Can we all agree that Turkey may be at a real crossroads as new elections loom?
and finally:
Can we all agree that, even in American League cities, the Mets-Cubs National League Championship series will be must see TV.