Day: March 25, 2024
Categories
NPR News: 03-25-2024 3PM EDT
This weekend’s late-night spending vote in Congress seems like another in an endless series of sequels to a bad suspense movie. Just at the brink of “disaster,” just before the stroke of midnight, Congress pulls off a miracle and passes an omnibus bill to save us from a “government shutdown!”
The heroes have saved the day!
Unfortunately, this latest sequel is as bad as the previous ones, as the American people are left with a massive $1.2 trillion dollar spending package to add to our already $34 trillion in debt. Military spending will, of course, be increased yet again, as the military-industrial complex demands more of our wealth to feed its ever-increasing appetite. And if this military spending increase is not enough, Congressional leadership is promising another huge supplemental bill to further fuel proxy wars in Ukraine and Gaza – with some money to provoke China as well.
Republicans like to talk a good game about reining in spending – especially during election season – but as we learned with this “compromise” and all previous “compromises, it’s all talk. At the end of all the dramatic warnings about shutting the government down, we are left with a Washington-style compromise, meaning the leadership of both parties gets to throw anything and everything they want into the massive bill. Because it is only presented to the rank and file at the last moment before “disaster,” none of the Members get a chance to even read it, much less shape it through amendments and debate.
The Republican House leadership promised the Members 72 hours to read any new bill before a vote, but they broke their promise without hesitation. Members would not have the chance to read the more than 1,000 page bill, which was worked out in secret behind closed doors
There is likely a reason that Congressional leaders did not want Members to get the chance to read the bill. As Rep. Thomas Massie discovered, buried in the bill is funding for 13 year old children to get help with gender transitioning without consent from their parents. He also pointed out that although nowhere was it in the authorization bill, just hours after the omnibus passes the Department of Justice announces the creation of a Federal “Red Flag” center to attack our Second Amendment rights.
Who knows how many more items like these – and far worse – are deeply buried in the “must-pass” spending bill. Keeping these items from the American people by secretly embedding them in “must pass” legislation increasingly looks like a feature, not a bug. No wonder Congress enjoys such a low approval rate among the American people.
In the end, the bill only passed the Republican-controlled House with the support of Democrats, fueling a growing rebellion against Speaker Johnson among House conservatives.
The media-celebrated “bipartisanship” is not all it’s cracked up to be. It means that both parties embrace policies that are leading to our financial bankruptcy. This further threatens the dollar as the world’s reserve currency and will result in catastrophic changes worldwide that nearly no one in Congress seems capable of imagining. Republicans capitulating to Democrat demands to “save us” from a government shutdown may temporarily keep the appearance that “this is fine,” but in the end they are making the coming crash all the worse.
This article was published by RonPaul Institute
Gallup has been asking the public the same question for 50 years, since April 1974: “Do you approve or disapprove of the way Congress is handling its job?”
Since then, public approval of Congress has usually ranged between 30 and 40 percent. (See graph below. The sharp peak in approval occurred just after the September 11, 2001, attack on the United States, as Americans rallied around the flag.)
In the most recent Gallup poll of February 2024, approval of Congress sank to the lowest it’s been in the entire half-century. Only 12 percent of the public now approves of the way Congress is handling its job.
I’m surprised it’s even that high.
Ever since the bailout of Wall Street in 2008, public trust in all branches of the U.S. government has sunk to new lows. Trump’s baseless claims that the 2020 election was stolen have further reduced trust.
But Republican control of the House starting in 2022 has brought a new level of congressional dysfunction, revealing the extent to which Trump Republicans are eager to trash government. Trump thrives on chaos and has been the House Republicans’ off-stage coach and cheerleader.
Early yesterday morning, President Biden signed a $1.2 trillion spending bill into law — narrowly averting a government shutdown and keeping federal agencies going until October. To pass the bill, Republican House Speaker Mike Johnson had to rely mainly on Democrats (185 of whom joined 101 Republicans in favor).
The new funding law contains almost exactly the same spending levels that Biden and former Speaker Kevin McCarthy agreed to last May — before McCarthy reversed himself because of a revolt on his right and was still ousted.
Saturday’s funding package also leaves out all of the controversial policies House Republicans included in their own versions of the funding bills.
In other words, despite all their chaos over the last nine months, House Republicans got exactly nowhere.
Meanwhile, Marjorie Taylor Greene has started the ball rolling on a process to oust Johnson. “We have to find a new speaker of the House,” she said.
This article was published at Robert Reich’s Substack
The Indian Parliament, amending the Citizenship Act of 1955, had ratified the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) on December 11, 2019. The amendment facilitated the granting of Indian citizenship to religious minorities such as Hindus, Sikhs, Buddhists, Jains, Parsis, and Christians who had fled from the neighbouring Muslim-majority nations of Pakistan, Bangladesh, and Afghanistan due to religious persecution or the threat of persecution before December 2014.
The passage of the CAA raised a storm of protest in India that led to sectarian violence claiming lives and wounding people Though the implementation of an Act is contingent upon the notification of associated rules, no rules were issued immediately after the passage the Citizenship Amendment Act. However, after a span of about four years and a half, on March 11, 2024, India’s Ministry of Home Affairs issued the Citizenship Amendment Rules 2024 (CAR).
India is a powerful regional and international powerhouse and a key actor in South Asia. As the biggest democracy in the world, home to a thriving economy and a wealth of cultural traditions, India helps keep the peace in its neighbouring countries. It is a key player for its strategic location and strong military. The fact that India is actively seeking bilateral relationships and participating in regional forums shows that it is serious about promoting collaboration and progress in South Asia. With its significant diplomatic and economic influence, India not only influences regional issues but also promotes peace, stability, and prosperity across South Asia. While this is happening, the amendment of the 1955 Citizenship Act may fuel anti-Indian sentiment in South Asian countries. The reasons are mentioned below.
First, those who are against the CAA point out that it grants citizenship depending on religious affiliation, which they say is biassed against Muslims and goes against India’s secular norms. Some South Asian countries and social groups, especially those with a Muslim majority, have spoken out against this notion.
Second, neighbouring nations are understandably worried about the CAA and what it could mean for regional stability and the dynamics of cross-border migration. Some are worried that the CAA will change the regional political and social climate as well as bilateral relations.
Thirdly, Muslim populations in South Asia may already be feeling alienated and disenfranchised due to the CAA’s discriminatory policies and the marginalization of Muslims. This has the potential to foster radicalization and extremism, which in turn could amplify anti-Indian sentiment and instability in the region.
Fourthly, anti-Indian sentiment has been on the rise in the region, and the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) has become a divisive topic. This view, which has its origins in long-standing animosities and religious conflicts, has been intensified by the contentious CAA. There are several historical, political, and socioeconomic reasons that have contributed to the anti-Indian prejudice that South Asia has long had to deal with. All the more reason to feel this way now that the CAA is in effect. Many feel that the statute is discriminatory because it does not grant Indian citizenship to Muslims or other members of religious minorities from neighbouring nations. Many see this biassed approach as going against India’s secular principles and as a step towards discrimination.
Fifthly, the CAA’s targeting of particular religious communities has further strained ties between India and its neighbouring countries. Unintentionally straining diplomatic ties and igniting nationalist emotions in neighbouring nations, India has accused them of persecuting minorities. Sixthly, the government’s effort to reconcile different interests is shown by the lack of consensus on the CAA, which reflects deep-seated differences within Indian society. The Act’s supporters consider it as a tool to shield oppressed minority groups, while its detractors see it as a means to discriminate against and marginalize Muslim populations. The public no longer has faith in the government’s capacity to protect democratic principles because of this internal strife. Even within India, there has been substantial resistance to the CAA. The Act’s detractors say it goes against the values stated in India’s constitution and damages the country’s secular foundation. People from all walks of life took to the streets to voice their displeasure with the government’s decision and the widespread protests that followed.
Indian Muslims, opposition parties and secular human rights activists are of the opinion that the CAA has been absolutely discriminatory against Muslims and will vitiate the secular spirit of India’s constitution. Yogendra Yadav, a prominent political activist said, “This law has been about creating two tires of citizenships in India: non-Muslims and Muslims.” Critics say Modi is pushing a Hindu-nationalist agenda that threatens to shrink the latitude for religious minorities, particularly Muslims and transform India into a Hindu nation. Many have filed lawsuits in courts calling for the cancellation of the legislation.
There is widespread speculation that the central government is behind the politically motivated timing of CAA’s notification, which coincides with the upcoming announcement of general elections. This means that different people in the area will see it in different light, and that the narratives will all contribute to the development of anti-Indian feeling. Such domestic strife tarnishes India’s reputation as an inclusive and peaceful society and may cause concern in neighbouring South Asian nations, which may see India’s problems as a sign of instability in the region as a whole. As a result, South Asian neighbours may see India with suspicion and lose faith in the country’s dedication to social harmony and equality as a result of the CAA and the arguments around it.
Last but not least, the CAA has sparked new discussions about Indian citizenship, belonging, and identity. It has prompted discussions over the proper standards for determining citizenship rights and the qualifications for being a citizen. Inflaming preexisting tensions, these discussions have shown where religious and ethnic groups in India are at odds with one another.
A source of tension between Indians and non-Indians in the area is the introduction of the Citizenship Amendment Act. Tensions and distrust have grown between India and its neighbours as a result of its contentious clauses, as well as internal dissent and long-standing complaints. It is critical that all parties involved in the CAA debate have fruitful conversations and resolve the root causes of anti-Indian sentiment in the area while the debate unfolds. Finding long-term solutions to foster harmony, stability, and mutual understanding requires democratic and inclusive approaches
Every year, March 22nd is commemorated as World Water Day. The first World Water Day was observed by the United Nations in 1993. The idea behind celebrating this day is to create awareness among the masses regarding its importance and to ensure that steps are taken towards effective management of this scarce necessity. Each year, the UN proposes a unique theme for World Water Day. This year it has set the theme as Leveraging Water for Peace. Water is one of the most essential ingredients of our life. Without which there are no chances of life on earth. The survival of all living organism depends on it. This Year’s theme impels the trans-boundary countries to pay heed and instead of waging wars over water, cooperate with each other and resort to peaceful solutions of distribution, conservation and protection of this meagre natural resource. Thereby making it a source of peace.
The 2024 United Nations World Water Development Report released on World Water Day brought once again the world’s attention to an alarming situation. The report suggests that half of the global population is facing water shortage currently and the situation is aggravating every day. While some of the population face water scarcity for a few months the other parts of the globe endure the sever scarcity round the year. The UNESSCO report estimates that 2.2 billion population of the world is currently living without access to safely managed drinking water and approximate 3.5 billion of the world population lack access to safely managed sanitation system
The UNESCO report aims to highlight the importance of access to clean and safe water, and how this access is critical in promoting peace because it proposes that the tensions over water access are leading to scarcity and resulting into indispensable resources exacerbating conflicts across the world.
So what leads to shortage of water? Well, the answer to this question is both man-made and natural reasons contribute towards the shortage of this finite resource. With global warming causing melting of the glaciers and snowcaps at a faster pace, coupled with frequent and severe droughts, the availability of fresh water has drastically reduced to an alarming level. Moreover, increased water wastage and sea water pollution by industries and humans have further strained the availability of fresh and clean water.
This water stress plays in important role in hampering the social stability structure and have serious implications for the global social system as almost 10% of water scarcity is linked with the issue of increased migrations worldwide. Similarly, violent conflicts, epidemics, global warming, hyperinflation and other crises both affect and are affected by water. Water Resources in all its manifestations reinforces prosperity through health, education, employment, food and energy security, sustainable ecosystems, and partaking these benefits in promoting peace.
Using two examples of geopolitical coordination around water access the report highlights how this coordination set a framework for lawmakers around the world to ensure a global regime structure to regulate the water issues. First, the Framework Agreement on the Sava River Basin (FASRB), serves as an example of best practice for other regions of the world. The understanding has become a key driver of stability in the region. It was signed in 2002 by Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, Serbia and Slovenia. Similarly, the other case is on Lake Chad in Central Africa which has already decreased in size by 90% over 60 years, for that purpose UNESCO report elucidates how the Lake Chad Basin Commission (LCBC) has ensured the most efficient use of the basin’s waters for Cameroon, Chad, the Central Africa Republic, Libya, Niger and Nigeria. It has not only coordinated local development, but has also proven effective in preventing disputes among these countries and local communities based on water scarcity.
Another catastrophic situation is caused by heaving floods which have caused nearly 100,000 deaths over the period 2002–2021, effecting almost 1.6 billion people around the globe causing an economic loss of US$832 billion in 2021 and US$45 billion in 2022. At the same time during these years the other heart wrenching situation was observed with droughts affecting over 1.4 billion people, killed over 21,000 more and causing and economic loss of US$170 billion. However, it does not stop here, because the continued global warming is expected to exaggerate the global water cycle, resulting in further increase in the frequency and severity of droughts and floods, leading towards additional economic losses and human losses in years to come
When it comes to water stress, scarcity and unavailability of water resources, the low-income countries are at the highest risk. As it is estimated that in low-income countries the 80% jobs are ultimately water dependent due to the dominance of agriculture as the main employment sector as compared to high-income countries, where the job market is far more diversified and less dependent on water source. Hence the poorer countries are more vulnerable and that is where this crisis hits the hardest with most severe consequences.
Another interesting aspect highlighted by the report revolves around the impact of global water crises on women. It uses the example of women in developing countries who are the once normally tasked with traveling to retrieve water supply from larger distance, this travelling to far flung areas in search of water not only effects their health more than men but also exposes them to violence, some even become victims of sexual assault. Condensed access to water supply especially for women not only creates safety concerns but also undermines their health, education and economic participation, which contribute to highest rate of girl’s dropout rate from schools as compared to boys, according to the report.
Water is indeed the basis for prosperity, but that needs steps to raise awareness among decision-makers to ensure a water-secure future that has the ability to avoid violent conflicts and can support peace and prosperity for all. This will require a serious amount of investment and efforts to put into ensuring development of water supply, water infrastructure, and sanitation systems, and water conservation all the way from storage to irrigation systems. The actions also call for increasing the quantity and quality of water-related investments for lower- and middle-income countries as they are the most exposed to risks. To meet the scale of investment needed, both public and private sources of finance are needed to ensure the true spirit of 2024 World Water Day motto i.e.: Water for World Peace.
Belgian Senate Hosts Roundtable on #SouthCaucasus Geopolitical Developments: Focus on #Armenia and #Artsakh
Continue reading on https://t.co/NbcN7rSVS3
____
POWERED BY Semler Insurance Agency @shantderashodianhttps://t.co/H2RugML1pN— The Armenian Report (@armeniareport) March 25, 2024