You deserve a pat on the back and, assuming you’re of legal age, a nice adult beverage. This was a long week for everyone, and what a job well-done. As is customary, it only makes sense that we take a glance at the headlines and highlights of the past week, so that we may hold our heads high as we enjoy this weekend to the fullest, and prepare for the week to come. I wish you the best in your adventures this week, be they big or small, and without further introduction, here’s this week’s recap.
Table For Madame President
At a time where women are finally being given the space to lead in positions of power, we still have a ways to go. Having said that, another strong, independent woman added her name to the list of presidential hopefuls over the weekend. Sen. Amy Klobuchar, the third-term Minnesota senator announced her intention to run for the Democratic nomination on Sunday.
“For too long, leaders in Washington have sat on the sidelines while others try to figure out what to do about our changing economy and its impact on our lives, what do to about the disruptive nature of news technologies, income inequality, the political and geographical divides, the changing climate, the tumult in our world. Let’s stop seeing those obstacles as obstacles on our path. Let’s see those obstacles as our path. “
–Sen. Amy Klobuchar
Something About Men In Government
It could very well be that men in power feel the need to assert their dominance over women by insisting on engaging in unwanted sexual contact, or that several politicians, over the course of history, didn’t have their heads on straight. Either way, Virginia Lt. Governor Justin Fairfax is being accused by two different women on committing sexual assault against them, including rape by one of the women. Like any crafty political figure, Fairfax has issued many a statement denying these allegations, but this all boils down to a greater systemic issue; we have a problem with believing women who say they’ve been raped or assaulted. To have undergone such physically, as well as mental/emotionally taxing event, and then have the courage to speak out about it, how could we do anything but believe these women.
Now, members of the Democratic leadership plan on introducing articles of impeachment against Lt. Gov. Fairfax. We will see, in the next few days, how this turns out.
And It Keeps Getting Complicated
The ongoing conflict between Israel and Palestine has left many dinner parties in a state of awkward silence, as well as a real concern for geopolitical peace. Following the convening of the US 116th Congress, two freshman democrats, both of which are Muslim, have recently spoken out in favor of the Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions movement, a topic that is considered to be highly controversial in the realm of the conflict.
Rep. Ilhan Omar (D-MN) commented on her ability to discuss such matters in open dialogue:
“It’s not surprising. I think it is actually exciting because we are finally able to have conversations that we weren’t really willing to. It is really important for us to get a different lens about what peace in that region could look like and the kind of difficult conversations we need to have about allies.”
Will It Shutdown Again?
President Donald Trump promised that if Congress cannot come to an agreement and pass seven different spending bills by the end of this week, the government could go right back into a partial government shutdown. Rather than fear the shutdown, we must embrace the possibility and fully recognize why it is such a distinct possibility.
President Trump has demonstrated, on several occasions, his unwavering determination to secure funding to construct a wall along the US-Mexico border. He has said, time and time again, that our Southern border is more dangerous than an IHOP on a Sunday, and yet, his words have fallen on the deaf ears of the Democratic leadership.
For those of you just tuning in, Democrats and Republicans are split on how to handle immigrants attempting to unlawfully enter the United States. The Dems agree that we should protect American citizens from harmful individuals, but from a systemic standpoint, we need to create an easier path to citizenship for those who wish to come to America for a better quality of life. Republicans, many of which share the sentiment of President Trump, want to strengthen our borders, by any means necessary.
According to several sources, the latest disagreement erupting in Congress stems from how to best operate ICE detainment centers. Democrats insist that we cap the number of detention beds used for interior enforcement to curb ICE’s capacity to capture and detain undocumented immigrants, and Republicans are concerned with this logic.
Called Out
Democratic Rep. Ilhan Omar, one of the first Muslim members of Congress, broke the first rule of political fight club; she made anti-Semitic comments. No, this isn’t the first rule that Congress members are taught, but one should assume not to exhibit bigotry in the public eye, or in general. Members of the Democratic leadership condemned Ilham’s recent comments made on Twitter that many consider to be anti-Semitic in nature.
“We are and always will be strong supporters of Israel in Congress because we understand that our support is based on shared valued and strategic interests. Legitimate criticism of Israel’s policies is protected by the values of free speech and democratic debate that the United States and Israel share…but Congresswoman Omar’s use of anti-Semitic tripes and prejudicial accusations about Israel’s supporters is deeply offensive. We condemn these remarks…”
–House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and other House Democrats
This Election Is Gonna Be Crazy
President Trump announced plans for running for reelection within weeks of his inauguration. While some may call this premature, these individuals largely underestimated our president. According to my sub-par mathematical skills, President Trump has a little under two years left of his time as president, but he has made it quite clear he has no intention of leaving.
The recent onslaught of Democratic candidates demonstrates just how intent Democrats are on reclaiming the throne in 2020. In a recent Monmouth University poll, when asked to choose between “a Democrat you agree with on most issues but would have hard time beating Donald Trump,” or “a Democrat you do not agree with on most issues but would be a stronger candidate against Donald Trump,” Democrats preferred the latter by nearly 60%. While I have every intention of speaking on the potential democratic candidates for the next primary cycle, it’s abundantly clear that people care less about who will be the next president, so long as it’s not Donald Trump.
Prevent The Shutdown At All Costs
The government has been functioning as usual for the last two weeks, but prior to peace being restored, President Donald Trump said if Congress cannot create a deal that allows for at least some funding of his wall, he will shutdown the government again. Congress has been working, day and night, to prepare a border security deal to prevent another shutdown. According to several reports, Congress is proposing less than $1.37 billion for border barriers which is significantly lower than President Trump’s original ask of $5.6 billion.
President Trump has made it clear that he is less than pleased with Congress’ border deal, but members from both parties are insisting that he take offer, and avoid a shutdown at all costs.
“While the details are being hammered out, the tentative agreement represents a path forward for our country — away from another round of fraught negotiations against a government funding cliff, away from a dreaded government shutdown…”
–Senate Democratic Leader Charles Schumer (D-NY)
Apple, That’s Nasty!
In the weeks following Facebook’s punishment for misuse, TechCrunch discovered that other companies have been openly abusing Apple’s Enterprise Certificate program. After further investigation, it was discovered that a dozen or so hardcore pornography apps and multiple real-money gamboling apps were available for download on the iOS app store. TechCrunch blames Apple’s laid-back standards for allowing businesses to work within the confines of their enterprise program.
The only parameters developers have to satisfy when applying include paying a $299 fee, as well as completing a pledge that states developers will build an Enterprise Certificate app solely for internal employee-only use, and that they have legal authority to do so, all of which are easily fabricated.
Per the TechCrunch investigation, Apple refused to say whether it performs any sort of audit on developers who are granted certificates for the program, or if they plan on making the admission process more difficult.
“Developers that use our enterprise certificates are in violation of the Apple Developer Enterprise Program Agreement and will have their certificates terminated, and if appropriate, they will be removed from our Developer Program completely. We are continuously evaluating the cases of misuse and are prepared to take immediate action.”
–Apple Spokesperson statement regarding TechCrunch report
Trump Can See Clearly Now The Rain Gone
In a move that even I am still dumbfounded by, President Trump informed several media junkets that he intends to sign the most recent border security deal proposed by Congress to avoid another partial government shutdown. Though Trump publicly stated his disapproval with the tentative agreement conceptualized by Congress earlier this week, on Wednesday, he told CNN reporters that he would “take a very serious look” at the legislation.
This fresh perspective from President Trump is shocking given that several weeks ago he had finished out a near month long shutdown because the Democratic leadership refused to grant him billions of dollars to construct a wall along the US-Mexico border.
“I don’t want to see a shutdown, a shutdown would be a terrible thing. I don’t want to see another one, there’s no reason for it.”
–President Donald Trump
Grover, Grover, Scoot On Over
The scooter-sharing phenomenon has caused mass hysteria for pedestrians, and copious amounts of joy for riders, but the business model has remained largely untouched for the past few years.
Enter Grover, the Berlin-based startup that offers consumers “pay-as-you-go” subscriptions to the latest devices as an alternative to owning products outright. In July 2018, the Company raised $37 million in a Series A funding round let by Circularity Capital LLP. According to TechCrunch reports, the Company announced plans to get involved in the micro mobility space with GroverGo, a service that allows customers to rent the Xiaomi-Scooter Miija for $45 per month, granting them access to an e-scooter at a fraction of the cost of purchasing one.
The whole idea behind GroverGo is, rather than paying each time you want to ride an e-scooter or going so far as to purchasing one yourself, GroverGo customers will have unlimited scooter rides without spending thousands on e-scooters and their accompanying repair costs.
According to TechCrunch, the Xiaomi scooter can reach speeds of up to 15 mph, and can go ten miles on a single charge.
“The biggest advantage of GroverGo versus pay-per-ride e-scooter services is the guaranteed availability and efficient use, as each scooter stays with its renter rather than hundreds of them clogging the sidewalks waiting to be picked up and recharged. GroverGo customers make their scooter their own for the time of their subscription and know that it’s always charged and at their disposal. Even in the most remote neighborhoods, the scooter can be folded and taken to the office or a bar and will be there for the ride home.”
–Grover statement regarding GroverGo
But President Trump, You Said You Wouldn’t!
President Trump agreed to sign Congress’ newest piece of legalization thus ending any chance of yet another government shutdown. Hold your applause, because when he informed the press of this, he added that he will still be declaring a national state of emergency to be able to construct his proposed border wall.
“President Trump will sign the government funding bill, and as he has stated before, he will also take other executive action — including a national emergency — to ensure we stop the national security and humanitarian crisis at the border. The President is once again delivering on his promise to build the wall, protect the border, and secure our great country.”
–White House press secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders
Looking Forward
It seems as though every time speak about what to look for in the coming weeks, it always has a connection to President Donald Trump, and I fear that history must repeat itself once more. On Friday, President Trump agreed to sign Congress’ new spending bill that will fund border security upgrades, but immediately after doing so, he told the media that he will be enacting a national state of emergency to get his wall built.
