BloggeRhythms

Today’s posting begins with wishing the happiest Holiday to all.

And then, as North Korea produced another embarrassing missile launch failure, the only other story of interest came from David Lauter, Contact Reporter @latimes.com.

What stands out most about the article, and the Los Angeles Times in general, is their absolute refusal to accept the new POTUS on any terms whatsoever. Along with their continued dredging for proofs of his incompetence in their self-proclaimed vaunted opinion.     

The shred of news that Reporter Lauter elaborated on this morning begins: “It’s been one of President Trump’s favorite boasts since he took office: By his order, new oil and gas pipelines built in the U.S. will be made from American steel.

“As is often the case, Trump has wrapped the claim into an anecdote he often repeats. Referring to his orders to revive the Keystone XL and Dakota Access pipeline projects, Trump recalled last month that he interrupted the signing to ask, “Who makes those beautiful pipes for the pipeline?”

“Sir, they’re made outside of this country,” came the response. 

“I said, ‘No more, no more.’ So we added a little clause — didn’t take much — that [if] you want to build pipelines in this country, you’re going to buy your steel, and you’re going to have it fabricated, here. Makes sense, right?” 

Lauter then pleasurably points out that: “The story has proved effective with Trump’s audiences, but it’s not an accurate description of what he did. It took the White House only a couple of weeks after the signing to acknowledge that the “Buy America” rule would not apply to Keystone. That would be unfair, officials said, because TransCanada, the company building the line, had long ago bought its pipe, some of it made in the U.S., and the rest in Canada, Italy and India. 

“Even so, White House officials have insisted that all future pipelines will be covered. 

“That’s not true, either, according to government documents and interviews with officials in the affected industries. 

“The actual number of pipelines covered by Trump’s Buy America rule could well be zero.”

From there, Lauter attempts to reinforce his point by adding that “a review by The Times of the 39 orders and presidential memorandums signed by Trump found that fewer than half actually made a substantive change in federal policy. Sixteen of the directives simply told Cabinet agencies to study a problem and come up with recommendations — something that in many cases the agencies had the authority to do even without a formal order.” 

So, in summary, Lauter by default acknowledges that in the short twelve weeks of his presidency Trump has already had half of his attempts at substantively changing federal policy take effect. Sixteen more are presently under review for recommendations. Yet, the only negative that Lauter’s research apparently uncovered, was Trump's finding out that some of the steel to be used in the Keystone pipeline is coming from Canada, Italy and India as already agreed to in contracts entered prior to his taking office that cannot be undone.  

However, aside from the relative unimportance of the issues Lauter selected, he’s consequently brought presidential competency into play. And that leads to recalling some of the gaffes and outright brain-dead decisions attributed to his predecessor, Obama, a few of which follow below:

Blocking the very same Keystone pipeline although every agency, including the State Department, had deemed it safer than drilling or trucking. The blockage also forced Canada to sell that oil to China, perhaps to eventually be used against us while doubling the cost of fuel to our citizens.

Enabling Iran to police its own nuclear program, endangering the rest of the Middle-East, and eventually Europe and the U.S 

Amnesty for 11 million illegal immigrants at a cost to taxpayer’s of billions

An Obamacare enrollment system that’s cost about $2.1 billion so far, according to a Bloomberg Government analysis of contracts related to the program and costs for an unworkable website 

Falsely promising under his health care tax that the insured could keep their doctors. 

Reducing the U.S. actively employed workforce to 62.3 %, the lowest since the 1970’s 

Walking away from the Middle-East, permitting and encouraging the rise of Isis (the JV squad.) 

Abandoning the Red Line & Reset in Syria 

Underestimating the Muslim brotherhood 

Total mismanagement of Iraq & Libya 

Calling Benghazi a spontaneous riot due to offenses to Islam

Botched ideas such as, Fast & Furious, Cash for Clunkers, the Dream Act. 

Unfulfilled promise of thousands of “Shovel-Ready” jobs 

The IRS scandal 

Support of deserter Bowe Bergdahl 

NSA surveillance of citizens 

Incredibly costly government sequester (per Jack Lewis) 

Closing down the WWII Memorial for spite 

Bringing Ebola to the U.S. for no logical reason 

Leaving the Veteran health care system unfixed 

The Solyndra scandal (among many similar others) 

Releasing terrorists from Guantanamo while still unable to close the facility as promised

Sending a larger delegation to Ferguson thug’s funeral than PM Thatcher's funeral 

Opening the door to communist Cuba 

And at the same time, raising the national debt to $20 trillion and climbing when he left office 

All of which leads again to a question often raised here regarding those on the left and why they continually present issues and arguments wherein they themselves have done far worse jobs than those they criticize. 

And perhaps, that’s also one of the reasons Trump won 304 electoral votes compared to 227 votes for his rival, while Republicans took 29 states to 21 this past November, making Lauter’s immaterial argument even weaker. 

That’s it for today folks. 

Adios