Jennifer Maloney

Biden approval ticks up, extremism still top worry – poll https://ift.tt/loruBNx US President Joe Biden’s approval ratings ticked up slightly in the last month, according to a poll conducted by Reuters/Ipsos, as more Americans named extremism and threats to democracy as their top worry ahead of the Nov. 5 election. Two-fifths of Americans surveyed said they approved of Biden’s performance, while 56% said they disapproved. That was a slight increase from last month’s poll, which showed that 37% of respondents approved of Biden, close to the lowest level of his presidency. The online poll was conducted March 22-24, after Biden’s annual State of the Union address to Congress, where he delivered an energetic speech challenging Republicans that was intended to tamp down concerns about his age and vigor. Biden, 81, is seeking a second term in office, where he is expected to face off against former President Donald Trump, 77, in the election. Threats to democracy A slightly larger number of respondents also expressed concerns over political extremism or threats to democracy, with 23% of respondents saying that was their top concern, up from 21% last month. Began and ended his speech on nation, elections, and democracy. Joe Biden (credit: REUTERS) More than a third of Democrats – 36% – said that was their top worry, while 11% of Republicans and a quarter of independent voters said the same. Trump has claimed, without evidence, that the 2020 election was stolen from him, including in a fiery speech shortly before hundreds of his supporters stormed the US Capitol in 2021. Five people died. Trump faces several legal challenges, including some tied to his role in attempting to overturn the results of the 2020 election. On the campaign trail, Trump has said he would release people imprisoned for their role in the Jan. 6 attack and has referred to them as “hostages.” He has also made a series of racist and inflammatory statements in his latest run for office. Other top issues for voters were the economy, which 19% of respondents said was the most important problem for the country, and immigration, with 17% of respondents citing it as the top issue. While 32% of Republican voters said immigration was their top concern, that was a decrease from last month’s poll, which showed 38% of Republicans saw it as the top issue for the country. Voters largely disapproved of the country’s institutions. Most people surveyed had unfavorable opinions of the House of Representatives (65%), the Senate (60%) and the Supreme Court (56%). The Federal Reserve was the only institution that a majority favored, with 53% of poll respondents saying they had a favorable view. The US central bank has raised interest rates since March 2022 in a bid to lower inflation, but has kept rates steady since July and is expected to cut rates later this year. The Reuters/Ipsos poll gathered responses online from 1,021 adults, using a nationally representative sampl...

New review by Peter Roady of Stuart A. Reid.'s _The Lumumba Plot: The Secret History of the CIA and a Cold War Assassination_. New York: Knopf, 2023. https://hdiplo.org/to/E571 "Stuart Reid’s engagingly written book explores Congolese politician Patrice Lumumba’s 1961 murder and the baleful consequences that followed, for the Congo, for the wider world, and for US foreign policy. Although much of the history Reid explores has received thorough treatment from other researchers, _The Lumumba Plot_ stands out for the broader insights that Reid draws from the history. Among these findings, two are particularly salient for members of the American national security establishment, who are one of Reid’s primary audiences. First, Reid argues that American covert action “tilted the Congo off its natural political axis, creating an artificial gap between what the country’s politics should have been and what they actually were” (429-430). This potential problem lurks behind every political covert action, and Reid deftly uses the Congo case to bring attention to it. Second, Reid argues that the language that policymakers and intelligence officials use to talk about foreign policy problems shapes the type of actions they consider. The baser the rhetoric, the more extreme the thinkable actions. This insight, too, has broad relevance for policymakers and for the American public in whose name they act...."

How do American Jews feel about the US abstaining from USNC vote https://ift.tt/3dbaGRz The Republican Jewish Coalition and the Zionist Organization of America both issued statements condemning the Biden administration‘s abstention on the United Nations Security Council resolution, calling it a “new level of betrayal” and “disgraceful.” In a statement, ZOA National President Morton A. Klein said it’s disgraceful that the Biden administration refused to veto the resolution. Klein accused the Biden administration of ignoring its own prior warnings that UNSC resolutions could hurt negotiations to halt hostilities and release hostages. “The Biden administration’s failure to veto the resolution enabled this anti-Israel/antisemitic resolution to pass. Calling for an ‘immediate ceasefire’ enables Hamas’ terror army to survive, regroup, and rebuild its ability to attack innocent Israelis again and again and again,” Klein said.  Klein said the resolution did not condition its call for a ceasefire on the release of all hostages and that Hamas would “of course” ignore the call to release or allow access to the hostages. Klein also noted the resolution failed to condemn Hamas – which is why the US said it abstained from the vote.  Only Israel is bound by the resolution, not Hamas “Thus, the resolution in effect only provides ammunition against the Jewish State of Israel,” Klein said. “But according to the UN – and the Biden administration, which enabled the UN’s duplicitous double standards – when terrorists attack Jews or Israel, the terrorists should be helped and defended instead of combatted by all means! This double standard has a name. It’s called antisemitism!“ PROTESTERS MARCH past the US Capitol Building in Washington last week, calling for a ceasefire in Gaza. (credit: REUTERS/LEAH MILLIS) In a statement, RJC CEO Matt Brooks said Biden must be “called out for his ineffectual UN diplomacy” before it does any more damage to Israel’s security and Israel’s relationship with the US.  Source link via POTPOURRINEWS https://ift.tt/3CgWfYx April 25, 2024 at 04:35AM

In the U.S., if you knowingly provide any kind of payment or monetary aid or military weapons to anyone that results in a murder or mass murder, it is prosecuted as aiding or conspiracy to commit murder. Then why aren't the majority of Democrats and Republicans including U.S. President Biden who continue to provide billions of dollars of U.S. military aid to the Israel Zionist government charged with genocide of thousands of Palestinians and children? These are known cold blooded murderers and they are all complicit to mass murder/genocide today! Why are they engaged in mass murder of unarmed Palestinian civilians and children in the GAZA? The GAZA coast line has a rich gas reserve totalling billions of dollars, which Israel and the U.S. have vested interest not to share the natural gas energy resources with the Palestinians in the GAZA. There are huge fields of oil and gas under the sea 22 miles off the coast of Gaza. It is worth an estimated $524 billion and belongs to Gaza and the Palestinians. (Quora dot com) Posted on April 28, 2024 by H. Nelson Goodson, a Milwaukee Southsider

1. Cartoon: When the President’s Mini-sters Need Target Practice https://ift.tt/qdvFJSP Cartoon In the realm of political satire, cartoons have long served as a powerful medium to convey complex political scenarios and critiques with humor and wit. One such provocative piece is “When the President’s Mini-sters Need Target Practice.” This cartoon captures the essence of political missteps and the often humorous yet critical perspective on governmental affairs. The Art of Political Cartoons Political cartoons are more than just humorous illustrations; they are visual editorials that use satire to provide commentary on current events, political leaders, and policies. The cartoon in question, “When the President’s Mini-sters Need Target Practice,” employs sharp wit and clever imagery to highlight the inefficiencies and misjudgments within the administration. Historical Context and Relevance Understanding the historical context in which a political cartoon is created is crucial. This particular cartoon can be seen as a reflection of the current political climate, where political leaders are often under intense scrutiny for their decisions and actions. By portraying the president’s ministers as needing target practice, the cartoonist suggests a lack of precision and competence in their duties. Analyzing the Imagery Symbolism in Political Cartoons Political cartoons rely heavily on symbolism to convey their messages. In “When the President’s Mini-sters Need Target Practice,” various elements serve as symbols: The Target: Often represents the goals or issues the administration aims to address. Mini-sters: A play on the word “ministers,” suggesting that these officials are miniature in terms of their capabilities or effectiveness. Target Practice: Implies a need for improvement, training, or correction in their approach to governance. Character Depiction The portrayal of characters in political cartoons is also significant. The ministers in this cartoon are likely depicted in a caricatured manner, exaggerating certain features to highlight their perceived inadequacies or humorous traits. This artistic choice not only entertains but also underscores the cartoonist’s critical viewpoint. Themes and Messages Governmental Inefficiency A recurring theme in political satire is governmental inefficiency. This cartoon taps into this narrative by suggesting that the president’s ministers are not hitting their targets – a metaphor for failing to achieve their policy goals or manage their responsibilities effectively. Accountability and Competence Another central message is the need for accountability and competence in leadership. The notion of target practice implies that the ministers need to improve their skills, which can be interpreted as a call for better leadership and more effective governance. Impact on Public Perception Political cartoons like “When the President’s Mini-sters Need Target Practice” play a significant role in shapin...

Check out another article on the Lincoln assassination for 4/16 on Al's substack, where you will learn history you were never taught in school.

Trump maintains lead over Biden in 2024 as Americans felt safer and more prosperous during the former’s tenure, new CNN poll shows https://ift.tt/10YQuh8 A new poll has shown Donald Trump holds an advantage over US President Joe Biden as the campaign and Trump’s criminal trial move forward.   According to the new CNN poll conducted by SSRS, most Americans say looking back, Trump’s term as president was a success, while a broad majority says Biden’s has so far been a failure. Trump’s support in the poll among registered voters holds steady at 49% in a head-to-head matchup against Biden, the same as in CNN’s last national poll on the race in January, while Biden’s stands at 43%, not significantly different from January’s 45%. The poll says 55% of all Americans now say they see Trump’s previous and only presidency as a success, while 44% see it as a failure. In a January 2021 poll taken just before Trump left office and days after the January 6 attack on the US Capitol, 55% considered his time as president a failure.   61% say Biden’s presidency thus far has been a failure, while 39% say it’s been a success. That’s narrowly worse than the 57% who called the first year of his administration a failure in January 2022, with 41% calling it a success. Republicans now are more unified around the idea that Trump’s presidency was a success than Democrats are that Biden’s has been one. Overall, 92% of Republicans call Trump’s time in office a success, while just 73% of Democrats say Biden’s has been a success so far. Among independents, 51% say Trump’s presidency was successful, while only 37% see Biden’s as a success.   45% approve of Biden’s handling of health care policy and 44% approve of his handling of student loan debt. Biden’s handling of the war between Israel and Hamas in Gaza yields 28% approval to 71% disapproval, including an 81% disapproval mark among those younger than 35 and a majority disapproval among Democrats (53%). A broad majority of all Americans, 70%, say economic conditions in the US are poor, with many, particularly Republicans, who feel that way saying their views would be more affected by a political shift than a change in the economy itself. Among all voters, when independent candidates Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and Cornel West and Green Party candidate Jill Stein are included in the matchup, Trump holds 42% to Biden’s 33%, with Kennedy at 16%, West at 4% and Stein at 3%. Kennedy draws 13% each from supporters of Biden and Trump in the initial two-way matchup. The CNN poll was conducted by SSRS from April 18-23 among a random national sample of 1,212 adults drawn from a probability-based panel, including 967 registered voters.   Source link via POTPOURRINEWS https://ift.tt/DXfzIkT April 29, 2024 at 12:22AM