by Heather Hastie | Jan 24, 2017 | Economics, US Politics
On Monday, Donald Trump signed three memoranda. As a result of the first, the US is no longer part of the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP). The second imposes a freeze on hiring federal employees, except for the military. The third order pulls funding from...
by Heather Hastie | Jan 19, 2017 | Education, US Politics
A few weeks ago I wrote a post about Trump’s nomination of Betsy DeVos for Education Secretary. I concluded K-12 education in the United States was going to get worse. (K = kindergarten; 12 = year 12.) DeVos’s confirmation hearing occurred this week, and...
by Heather Hastie | Jan 14, 2017 | Economics, US Politics
Donald Trump has been telling everyone that he’s going to cut business taxes to 15% and make up the reduction in federal income by introducing a consumption tax. According to him, this will kick start the US economy and bring back well-paid jobs. He has support...
by Heather Hastie | Dec 29, 2016 | New Zealand, Science & Nature, US Politics
Actually, I mostly had a good time. On 23 December I flew to Christchurch, and did all the traditional holiday stuff down there. The tree was surrounded by dozens of gifts; most were for the kids, but there were some for me too! We did a few touristy things, and it...
by Heather Hastie | Dec 22, 2016 | US Politics
Reader and attorney Ann German has had IMPEACH PUSSY GRABBER bumper stickers (see below) printed. In you live in or near Missoula you may see this vehicle, belonging to a friend of Ann’s. He’s apparently happy to have his number plate in the picture too,...
by Heather Hastie | Dec 7, 2016 | Asia, International Politics, USA
Last Thursday United Nations Secretary-General Ban-Ki Moon announced a new set of sanctions against North Korea. The 15-member UN Security Council unanimously recommended the sanctions, which the United States drafted. They are an attempt to starve the Kim regime of...
