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Clinton Wins Irrelevant Debate with Trump -- The idea of a debate between two candidates for office sounds noble and wise in theory. Contrasting and comparing policies, perspectives and personalities should lead the electorate to an informed, and therefore, prudent decision. In practice, the debates America has had in recent decades among the various candidates are unworthy of the name "debate." The encounter last night between Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump merely illustrated the gap between the noble idea and the foolish practice. While Mrs. Clinton won (whatever that may mean), the event had no measurable effect on the election. It revealed even less about what sort of president each might be. [27 September]
Corbyn Sees off Labour Leadership Challenge -- Jeremy Corbyn saw off a challenge to his leadership of Britain's Labour Party with the final results of the members' balloting arriving over the week-end. Owen Smith ran against him as part of an attempt to remove the hard-left from influence in the party. It was the Revenge of the Blairites. The trouble was Mr. Corbyn secured 61.8% of the vote to Mr. Smith's 38.2%. In last year's contest, Mr. Corbyn won 59.5% of the vote. The leadership challenge actually strengthened the leader. The left is now well-entrenched in Labour's leadership. [26 September]
Questions That Should be Asked at the Trump-Clinton Debate -- Hofstra University will host a debate between Donald Trump and Hillary Clinton on Monday. It is the first of three such encounters, in addition to one between the vice-presidential nominees. The campaigns are working the referee (moderator) and the jury (the viewers) already trying to lower expectations and otherwise set the stage to convince voters that hot is cold, light is dark and dumb is smart. What no one seems to be doing is putting pressure on the media to ask hard questions like these: [23 September]
US Police Need Different, not More, Training -- Over the week-end, a naturalized American citizen decided he wanted to kill a bunch of his fellow citizens because he loved Allah and the Prophet Mohammed. He injured 29 people with bombs in Manhattan and New Jersey, but he failed to kill anyone. Meanwhile, the police in Tulsa, Oklahoma, and Charlotte, North Carolina, have both killed an American. The correct figure for police-civilian deaths is zero, and unless fired upon, the police always have the option to de-escalate. The problem can be solved with different training. They certainly don't need more of what they have now. [22 September]
Wells Fargo Should Face RICO Charges -- Wells Fargo is one of America's largest financial institutions, and under any rational reading of the law, it is a corrupt organization similar to the Mafia. The company's CEO, John Stumpf, should be in jail just as surely as John Gotti was. The company created fake accounts relying on falsification of record to generate fees. USA Today reported, "Wells Fargo has fired about 5,300 employees over the fake accounts. Those accounts led to $2.6 million in fees to affected customers that have since been refunded. The company has agreed to pay $185 million as part of a civil settlement." The actions clearly violate the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act, and the Justice Department needs to come after the bank, or it will happen again. Yesterday's Senate hearings are only a sideshow. [21 September]
Copyright 2016 by The Kensington Review, Jeff Myhre, PhD, Editor. No part of this publication may be reproduced without written consent. Produced using Ubuntu Linux.
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