Sharing and Caring
Facebook is being scrutinized by the Court of Justice of the European Union over the way information they collect is handled by the entities it is shared with. The current legal battle began with a privacy suit brought in Ireland, whose High Court effectively handed off to the CJEU. This case has ramifications for many large companies who collect data in the EU including Microsoft, Google, the controversial Chinese Huawei, and even Lockheed Martin. Previous rulings have allowed the collection of data, but that could come to an end if it is determined that certain security standards are not met after it leaves the EU. Heavy fines could also be levied. Unscrupulous regulators may be tempted to fund their own bureaucracy, especially at the expense of equally unscrupulous tech giants.
Defending Taiwan
As China becomes more aggressive Taiwan has more to fear than most. Its very existence is an embarrassment. During the communist revolution of 1949 the government of what had been the Republic of China was forced to flee to the island of Taiwan which, along with a few other islands, they still control. The communist People’s Republic of China has ruled the mainland ever since, never dropping its claims to Taiwan. As China’s power and influence grew, most nations formally acknowledged these claims but many have maintained unofficial ties with Taiwan, including trade and even arms sales. The greatest threat to Taiwan has always been invasion. In light of recent developments they are seeking to strengthen their defenses by purchasing mines, anti-ship missiles, and highly advanced drones from the United States. While they would be unable to resist a determined invasion by China, due to relative size and strength, their strategy is to make the cost of any such action high enough to serve as an effective deterrent.
Campaign à la Jussie
The city of Sumter, South Carolina has had an interesting development in its Mayoral contest. The retirement of Sumter’s 20 year incumbent has prompted many to enter the race, including one Sabrina Belcher. Lacking the notoriety and experience of some of her opponents, the 29 year old single mother of six has sought to capitalize on the fact that she would be the city’s first black female mayor. She adopted the slogan, “Hold on, change is coming,” and was quoted by The Sumter Item on her announcement as saying, “To me, it would be a great deal of responsibility and a lot of change for our city because South Carolina itself is one of the places where slavery and discrimination really began.” However, as she is now behind bars, Belcher’s quest for “justice” has become a little ironic.
After going “live” on Facebook, Belcher was attacked! The windows of her car were broken out, she was beaten and kidnapped, and even blamed the assault on one of her political opponents! During the investigation, police discovered that Belcher was in contact with her attacker. Subsequently they were both arrested on charges of conspiracy and filing a false police report. Belcher has admitted to choreographing the incident and allegedly had plans to repeat the stunt while implicating other contenders in the race in what can only be described as campaign management à la Jussie Smollett.
Reheating the Cold War
The United States withdrew from a long standing treaty with Russia last year which dealt specifically with intermediate range nuclear missiles. The cause was said to be production of ground launched missiles whose range violates the terms of the agreement on the part of Russia. On the other side Russia accuses the U.S. of deploying missile defense systems in Europe that could also be used offensively and of developing drones that circumvent the rules of the treaty which had been in effect since 1987. Now the New START (Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty) is in the spotlight. New START is the current incarnation of weapons limitation agreements dating back to the 1960’s. Having begun in 2010, it limits the number of warheads, delivery systems, launchers and provides for a monitoring system. Both countries met reduction goals by the stipulated date in 2018. The agreement will expire in 2021 if either party rejects the optional 5 year extension included in it. Obstacles to its continuation include certain short range Russian warheads that have already been deployed and a desire on the part of the U.S. to include China. Negotiations are ongoing.
How Low Can We Go?
Maybe you haven’t heard the name Adree Edmo. The former male, now age 32, was convicted of sexually assaulting a boy, age 15, while he slept in 2011. While incarcerated, Edmo was diagnosed with “gender dysphoria,” received hormone therapy, and reportedly even attempted castration. A Federal Judge ordered the State of Idaho to provide gender reassignment surgery. Having been upheld by the 9th Circuit (on the grounds that denial constituted “cruel and unusual punishment”) the ruling has been appealed to the Supreme Court. Only 2 of the 9 justices, Alito and Thomas, responded favorably to Idaho’s desire to delay the surgery until the case could be heard. Consequently, the surgery was performed on July 10th. Edmo will be transferred to a women’s prison once it’s “medically appropriate,” though it is sickening to consider that this case and propriety have anything in common. Damages are also being sought from Idaho for the distress caused by refusing to perform the surgery for so long.
Unsettled
Still ongoing after so many years, the migrant crisis in Europe hardly rates a mention any longer. At the beginning of the virus outbreak there were a number of articles published, full of dire speculations, about how crowded and unsanitary camps would likely be ravaged. Months later it is hard to find any information on how that turned out. Widespread border closures slowed the influx and hindered movement but the crisis itself remains a fact of life in Europe. There are reports that some EU nations, those sharing borders with countries outside the block, have been unceremoniously returning migrants to their less hospitable neighbors without even beginning the asylum process. This may be a sign as to which direction European sentiment is trending. Illegal camps are routinely dismantled only to reappear and the cycle is repeated. Some, bent on reaching the UK, have sought to circumvent the bans on travel by floating the English channel. Migrants have even threatened to drown themselves rather than return to France. There is some humor (as well as an implied insult to that notoriously proud nation) in the notion that a refugee from an oppressive third-world slum would rather die than go back. They’re bluffing.
Stop or We’ll… QUIT!
In the United States, it’s open season on police officers and…they’re quitting. Can you even imagine the anarchy that will prevail if the “abolish the police” movement succeeds? We’ve seen examples in several cities, and it’s not pretty. Police are in a no-win situation. In many cases, they’ve been ordered NOT to do their jobs. We’ve seen the results. This week we learned that the entire upper echelon of Rochester, NY police decided it is time to go. Some have served their community for decades.
It is now being reported that more than two dozen Chiefs of Police have resigned in just the past two months. Apparently the police don’t want to play the stupid games that have taken place in other cities. But they didn’t give that or any other explanation, they just quit. They’ve probably decided life is too short to be squandered in the streets doing battle with professional thugs transported in to wreck the place.
