Latest news with #Trump-Vance
Scoop
3 days ago
- Politics
- Scoop
Bill Moyers And The Death Of American Decency
Monday, 30 June 2025, 10:25 am Opinion: Martin LeFevre - Meditations One of the greats of American journalism and political life, Bill Moyers, died in the last few days. In 1989 he famously asked, 'Can a nation die from too many lies?' The answer is now self-evident. Despite serving as Lyndon Johnson's press secretary during LBJ's fabrications and massive military buildup in Vietnam, and despite covering and commenting on the erosion of American values and decency in his career as a journalist, Moyers was the rare man that was able to remain uncorrupted and uncynical. Most Americans, including former Republicans, agree that the Republican Party is moribund, having become a cult-like captive of a despotic, petty, vengeful man that epitomizes the now dominant, darkest side of America. What many Americans refuse to see is that the Democratic Party is moribund as well. And only a few acknowledge that what Moyers foresaw in 1989 – the death of the nation's soul. In his characteristically clear and nonthreatening style, Moyers said of his colleagues, 'I think my peers in commercial television are talented and devoted journalists, but they've chosen to work in a corporate mainstream that trims their talent to fit the corporate nature of American life. And you do not get rewarded for telling the hard truths about America in a profit-seeking environment.' To his credit, Moyers quit as Johnson's press secretary in 1966 rather than be party to the mendacity behind the war in Vietnam. He later wrote: 'We had become a war government, not a reform government.' The closest you'll come to hearing the truth now, even in non-commercial national media, is the euphemistic refrain: 'We must not let ourselves become numb to the Trump Administration's authoritarianism.' The reality is that a deadness of heart and the death of decency in the United States is what gave rise to this monstrous president and his right-hand man, the hatemonger Stephen Miller. After all, he was elected not once, or twice in succession, but after an interregnum and last gasp of faltering decency in the form of Joe Biden. Of course the death of America's soul began long before the manufactured 'good' Gulf War pushed the American people's psyche and spirit into the abyss of Trump-Vance. Slavery, indigenous genocide, and the cold-blooded justification year after year for dropping atomic bombs on Hiroshima and Nagasaki led inexorably to the monumental mistake of Vietnam. Then came America's glorious victory in the cooked up Persian Gulf War, which killed over 200,000 Iraqis to less than 200 US soldiers, and supposedly exorcised the ghosts of Vietnam. It was, spiritually, the last straw. If decency is the minimal requirement for civility and the last guardrail against the abyss, just what is decency in a body politic? One definition of decency is 'the conditions considered essential for a proper standard of living.' Obviously 'standard of living' in a pathologically externalizing and consumeristic culture is viewed in strictly material, economic terms. More importantly however, it applies to the intangible bonds between a people, the true qualities beyond nationalistic identification that define them as an intact people, what Lincoln called 'the mystic chords of memory.' That's why Trump and his sycophants are hell-bent on banning books and institutional references to aspects of American history they want to whitewash, from slavery, to past and present genocides, to progressive advances in women's reproductive rights. In contrast, Bill Moyer's obituary spoke of how he 'masterfully used a visual medium to illuminate a world of ideas, producing some of TV's most cerebral and provocative series for public television.' That reads like a dirge not for the man but for the nation. Purblind political scientists even now talk as if the swings from one party to another continue, as if the pendulum isn't broken, stuck in the rafters of the right-wing extremism that have taken over America. They believe blather like this: 'It's pretty common after the party who loses the election and obviously has no clear leader, for there to be a period where it's not clear who the leaders are going to be. That happened after losses in 1980 and 1984 and 1988 as well. So it takes a while for that to shake out. That's not surprising.' Democrats are clutching at straws. It's absurd to believe that the death of this nation's soul can be restored by a change in party leadership, or barnstorming rallies by Bernie Sanders, or a charismatic mayor of New York. Wishful thinking is like dropping coins into a deep well and hoping to hear a tiny splash. For a rebirth to occur, the death must be fully acknowledged and mourned. Can the dead come back to life? Yes, but only if they see and own their deadness, and want their hearts restored more than they want to physically survive and have endless BBQs. Of course, many people take the attitude of the Guardian columnist who cynically wrote: 'Assume the worst, as I do, and your life will be much simpler. Expect those around you to fail and flout the rules that govern our world.' Such people become the worst of human nature that they despise. Bill Moyers saw the worst, and retained his humanity. So must we, the dwindling decent minority. Martin LeFevre © Scoop Media
Business Times
7 days ago
- Business
- Business Times
Mars US$36 billion Kellanova deal waved ahead by US regulator
[SAN FRANCISCO] Mars' US$36 billion takeover of snack maker Kellanova was given the green light by the US Federal Trade Commission (FTC) on the same day European Union regulators opened up a lengthy probe of the deal. The head of antitrust enforcement at the Washington-based agency said a review of the deal found that it 'does not meet the standard for an anticompetitive merger'. 'Commission staff closely reviewed every aspect of this transaction, including both specific product markets and potential portfolio effects from the acquisition,' Daniel Guarnera said on Wednesday (Jun 25). 'They turned over every stone needed to arrive at a robust assessment of the likely competitive effects of this transaction.' Earlier in the day, the European Union opened an in-depth investigation over concerns that the largest packaged-food deal in almost a decade could thwart competition. In the takeover, Mars, known for its chocolate, will get a number of snack brands, including Pringles chips. The deal will allow Mars to add 'several very popular brands of potato chips and cereals to its already broad and strong product portfolio', the EU's antitrust chief Teresa Ribera said. The probe 'will assess the transaction's impact on the price of these companies' products for consumers'. The companies have now secured regulatory approval in 27 out of 28 jurisdictions with no asset sales or other changes to their business, and expect to close the deal 'towards the end of 2025', Mars chief executive officer Poul Weihrauch said in a statement. Announced last August, the deal will help closely held Mars diversify its chocolate-heavy portfolio away from cocoa, whose prices have risen to historic levels. Kellanova itself has fared better than most of its competitors with a string of strong earnings since it spun off its cereal business as WK Kellogg. In his statement, Guarnera said the companies sell different products in other countries, including breakfast cereal sold by Kellanova in Europe that it does not sell in the US. 'The Trump-Vance FTC takes an America First approach to antitrust enforcement,' Guarnera said. 'Our job is to determine whether there is a violation of American law that we can prove in court. And once we have concluded there is not, our job is to get out of the way.' BLOOMBERG
Newsweek
19-06-2025
- Politics
- Newsweek
Pope Leo Is Shaping Up To Be Trump's Most Effective Moral Opponent
Advocates for ideas and draws conclusions based on the interpretation of facts and data. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. On June 14, Donald Trump marked his 79th birthday with a military parade in Washington D.C. At the same time, in a far more humble setting—center field at Chicago's Guaranteed Rate Field—Cardinal Blase Cupich gave what he called his "sermon on the mound" during a Mass celebrating Pope Leo XIV's first month in office. The pope himself even appeared on a prerecorded video. And while Pope Leo didn't mention Trump or his policies once, Cardinal Cupich most certainly did. Before a crowd of more than 30,000, Cupich offered a searing critique of the administration's immigration crackdown: "It is wrong to scapegoat those who are here without documents," he said. "They are here not by invasion, but by invitation." The timing wasn't accidental. The Mass doubled as a spiritual celebration and a thinly veiled rebuke. And while Pope Leo didn't deliver the words himself, his silence wasn't neutrality—it was orchestration. Is Pope Leo anti-MAGA? No. Is he part of the Resistance? Not really. But will he stand as a moral bulwark against Trump's worst instincts? Absolutely. This new pope has proven himself a master of tone. He's less blunt than Francis—less likely to throw rhetorical punches—but perhaps more effective because of it. His approach is grounded in restraint and strategic clarity, not performative outrage. And yet the implications of his early papacy are already profound. As a cardinal, Leo (then Robert Prevost) helped draft the Vatican's February letter denouncing mass deportation efforts, warning that nationalist ideology risks making "the will of the strongest" the "criterion of truth." Before Leo's election, a now-deleted social media account tied to him regularly reposted critiques of Trump's immigration agenda. The account highlighted stories of Catholic priests detained at the border, slammed the Trump-Vance worldview as un-Christian, and celebrated those working to shelter migrants with dignity. The then-cardinal's values were clear, even if he never mentioned Trump by name. This quiet resistance may be the most dangerous kind. Leo is not a culture warrior. He isn't calling for Trump's defeat. He's calling for moral clarity. And that's exactly what this moment demands. A person holds a program as Catholic faithful attend a celebration and Mass held in honor of Pope Leo XIV at Rate Field, home of the MLB's White Sox, in Chicago, Illinois on June 14,... A person holds a program as Catholic faithful attend a celebration and Mass held in honor of Pope Leo XIV at Rate Field, home of the MLB's White Sox, in Chicago, Illinois on June 14, 2025. More KAMIL KRZACZYNSKI / AFP/Getty Images Cupich's homily at the Chicago Mass came just days after House Republicans launched an investigation into more than 200 NGOs—including Catholic Charities and the U.S. bishops' conference—accusing them of using federal funds to "facilitate illegal activity" by aiding migrants. Catholic Charities has been feeding, sheltering, and serving those fleeing persecution for decades. The Republicans' investigation is not just political overreach. It's a direct assault on the Catholic mission. In that context, the Mass' messaging mattered. Leo appeared only briefly in a recorded message, calling on Americans to prioritize building community over ego. But his absence from the fight doesn't mean he's absent from the strategy. He is choosing his moments—and his messengers—with care. Pope Leo also has an unusual advantage: his Americanness. A pope from Chicago can speak to American politics in a way none of his predecessors could. He understands the cultural terrain, the tribal language, and the cable news rhythms. And because of that, when he talks about human dignity and border walls and our obligation to the stranger, Americans listen differently. That power is already showing. A new AP-NORC poll shows that two-thirds of American Catholics have a favorable view of Pope Leo, and among all Americans, he's viewed positively by a wide margin—44 percent favorable to just 10 percent unfavorable. That kind of popularity is extraordinarily rare in today's polarized politics. Even more telling? Republicans and Democrats rate him similarly. He's emerging as one of the only widely respected moral figures in American life. That's no small thing. Trumpism thrives in an environment of suspicion, where truth is relative and institutions are weak. But Leo represents a stubborn kind of institution—one that doesn't play Twitter games or respond to every provocation, and that insists on the moral weight of facts, decency, and mercy. Pope Leo won't match Trump insult for insult. He won't tweet in all caps. But he will show up in the places that matter—on the border, in the refugee shelter, at the baseball stadium—and use the tools of moral persuasion to remind the nation of its better angels. And make no mistake: that kind of resistance can be more powerful than any slogan or soundbite. It's the resistance of the Gospel. It's the resistance of those who refuse to meet cruelty with cruelty, but who never mistake silence for surrender. Pope Leo won't be the Resistance. But he might be something more dangerous to Donald Trump: a spiritual leader the American people still trust—one who's not afraid to tell the truth, quietly but boldly. Christopher Hale is a Democratic operative from Tennessee. He led national Catholic outreach for President Obama's reelection campaign and served as the cofounder of Catholics for Harris. The views expressed in this article are the writer's own.
Newsweek
10-06-2025
- Politics
- Newsweek
MAGA Supporters Counter Anti-ICE Protests: 'Go Back to Mexico'
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. Several Donald Trump supporters in Tampa, Florida, have started counter-protests to anti-ICE, Immigration and Customs Enforcement, demonstrations. Video footage posted on X, formerly Twitter, shows a man holding a red "MAGA country" flag chanting "we want ICE" and telling a woman holding a Mexican flag: "If you love Mexico, go back to Mexico." In another clip, a group of men can be seen holding a Trump-Vance banner, before move for a truck coming through. Hundreds gathered outside Tampa's City Hall to protest on Monday, after a weekend of violent clashes between anti-ICE demonstrators and law enforcement. Police intervened during some heated moments between anti-ICE protesters and counter-protesters but there was no violence, according to Tampa broadcaster FOX13. This is a developing story - more to follow.
Newsweek
06-06-2025
- Business
- Newsweek
Map Shows States With the Most Amtrak Services
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. Amtrak provides a vital service to U.S. commuters; however, many states have limited access to its train network, and several states have no service at all. According to data mapped by Newsweek, the vast majority of states have access to only a handful of Amtrak routes, with over half of all states having fewer than three routes passing through their stops. Why It Matters Amtrak is the largest high-speed rail provider in the United States, carrying over 30 million passengers annually. It is supported by state and federal subsidies, much of which is focused on maintaining the Northeast Corridor, which is the busiest part of its network. What To Know Amtrak lists 39 routes across the country on its Routes and Destinations website, with many connecting to Canada in the northeast. Along with Alaska and Hawaii, which are not connected to the mainland U.S., Wyoming and South Dakota are the only states in the country that do not have any Amtrak rail service. The state with the highest number of routes is New York, with 14, which benefits from being a financial and tourism hub with a high degree of travel, and being well placed to connect to the Midwest and Washington, D.C. The second-highest was Illinois, with 12 routes, thanks to Chicago's status as a transportation hub in the Midwest. Many routes to other parts of the U.S., such as the Texas Eagle and the California Zephyr, terminate in Chicago. Many states in the South and the West benefit from major routes passing through them. Nevada, Arizona, Idaho, North Dakota, and Montana all have only one major service calling at stops there, with final destinations in bordering states. The Northeast Corridor, which runs between Boston and Washington, D.C., with major metropolitan stops in New York City and Philadelphia, accounted for more than 14 million riders in fiscal year 2024—a 15.9 percent increase from the previous year. What People Are Saying In a statement given to Newsweek, Amtrak said: "Amtrak is meeting record demand, all while delivering mega construction projects, upgrading fleet, and serving more places with state partners. With strong federal support from the Trump-Vance administration, Amtrak can continue investments in American infrastructure and jobs, strengthen the economy, and make America a world leader in rail once again." What Happens Next Amtrak is undergoing major construction work in nearly 30 areas along the Northeast Corridor, where the majority of its tracks are located.
