The LCR Editor – Page 10

Merck, Under Armour, Intel: “Unacceptable!”

On August 14th, chief executives from three of America’s largest companies decided to step down from the President’s Manufacturing Council after the recent alt-right rally in Charlottesville, Virginia, in which the president was hesitant to immediately denounce white supremacy. The violent weekend in Charlottesville claimed the lives of 3 people and injured 19 others.

The CEO’s explain why they left…

Kenneth Fraizer, CEO of Merck:

America’s leaders must honor our fundamental values by clearly rejecting expressions of hate, bigotry, and group supremacy… As CEO of Merck and as a matter of personal conscience, I feel a responsibility to take a stand against intolerance and extremism.” Kenneth Frazier’s full statement

Brian Krzanich, CEO of Intel:

“I have already made clear my abhorrence at the recent hate-spawned violence in Charlottesville, and earlier today I called on all leaders to condemn the white supremacists and their ilk who marched and committed violence. I resigned because I want to make progress, while many in Washington seem more concerned with attacking anyone who disagrees with them.” Brian Krzanich’s full statement

Kevin Plank, CEO of Under Armour:

“We remain resolute in our potential and ability to improve American manufacturing… However, Under Armour engages in innovation and sports, not politics.”

Is the President losing the business community? Merck’s stock jumped nearly 1% shortly after Kenneth Frazier made his statement. It should be noted that the CEO of Tesla Elon Musk and the CEO of Disney Bob Iger both stepped down from the President’s Business Advisory Council in June after the president decided to leave the Paris Climate Accord.

Heather Heyer, “A Very Strong Woman”

Charlottesville, VA… The LCR Responds…

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Charlottesville, Virginia… The LCR Responds…

We asked 4 of our contributors with different political views to weigh in on the Charlottesville rally that unfortunately turned violent last week, and this is what they had to say…

“Watching the events unfold in Charlottesville, Virginia confirmed to me that we as a Nation are truly going backwards in time. Seeing the violence erupt and hearing the vile chants saddened me. I waited patiently for President Trump to come out and address the Nation. Though there are many of his stances I do not agree with, President Trump is still my Commander in Chief. Unfortunately, though he had the ear of America, President Trump’s speech left so much to be desired. I was not comforted, not inspired, and especially did not like President Trump’s underlying tone when he stated “on many sides.” – Left Healthcare Professional

“This past weekend’s terrorist tactics of the white supremacist groups in Virginia shouldn’t be too shocking. Though outwardly violent and thankfully not the everyday norm, many non white Americans feel a form of extreme and punishing outcomes everyday. Outcomes in which white Americans never deal with. From racial driven draconian drug law enforcement to environmental racism, many Americans saw this weekend as another episode in the story in which is America.” – Independent Texan Male“

All Americans have the right to assemble and peaceably protest (even White Supremacists). The issue in Virginia is that a subsection of White Supremacists are taking violent action against their counter-protestors, possibly feeling bolstered and empowered by the aggressive rhetoric of our current President. The so-called “alt-right” no longer feels ashamed, with their ideologies represented in the White House by Steve Bannon at the very least. Although it is unfair to judge an entire group or ideology by the actions of a single terrorist in their ranks, it IS fair to judge a group by their reaction (or lack thereof) to this gravest of crimes against our Country and our Freedom. Anyone who views the violence in Charlottesville, VA as unacceptable must explicitly condemn it as so or America will endure much worse.” – Unaffiliated Humanist Musician

“The events of the last two days in Charlotesville are a worrying sign of where this country is headed. The hatred that was on display in Charlottesville as was the terrorist attack that resulted from it was both shocking and upsetting (an attack reminiscent of tactics used by ISIS). The president’s refusal to explicitly call out white nationalists was disgraceful, especially coming from the man who criticized Obama for not using the words “radical Islamic terrorism,” and was seen by those groups as a tacit signal of support. It was however encouraging to see the backlash he received for his comments from his colleagues in the GOP. One can only hope that they will continue to take principled stands against him.” – Center Left College Student

Heather Heyer, “A Very Strong Woman”

Merck, Under Armour, Intel: “Unacceptable!”

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Her Name is Heather Heyer, “A Very Strong Woman”

A true tragedy and a senseless act of violence has claimed the life of an innocent woman and injured 19 others. Heather Heyer is the name of the woman who was unfortunately murdered this weekend when a driver plowed his car into a group of demonstrators at an alt-right rally this weekend in Charlottesville, Virginia. Heather was a 32-year old paralegal and worked in the bankruptcy division at a nearby law firm. Alfred A. Wilson, Heather’s manager at the law firm, said,

“Heather was a very strong woman. She stood up to “any type of discrimination. That’s just how she’s always been.”

A GoFundMe page has been set up for her family and close friends. When we last checked, they had already raised more than $190,000.

The alt-right rally was held to protest the removal of a Robert E. Lee statue. The rally quickly became violent as alt-right protestors and counter-protestors clashed in the streets of Charlottesville. The driver who killed Heather, whose name we will not mention, traveled from Maumee, Ohio to attend the rally. He has been arrested and charged with second degree murder and malicious wounding.

Many Republicans chose not to mince their words and unequivocally denounced white supremacy and this act of violence. To the contrary, many would suggest that President Trump chose to do the opposite when he delivered his remarks.

“We condemn in the strongest possible terms the egregious display of hatred, bigotry, and violence. On many sides.”

Many are wondering what sides he’s referring to regarding the hatred, bigotry, and violence.

Charlottesville, VA… The LCR Responds…

Merck, Under Armour, Intel: “Unacceptable!”

The Trump Effect… This Week’s Recap 8/4/17

Whether you’re on the Left, Center, or Right… listen to their words and draw your own conclusions…

At a Trump rally Thursday night (8/3/17) West Virginia Gov. Jim Justice announced his decision to flip from the Democratic Party to the GOP:

“Today I will tell you with lots of prayers and lots of thinking, I’ll tell you West Virginians, I can’t help you any more being a Democrat governor.”

At the same rally, Trump responded to the ongoing Russia investigation:

“We didn’t win because of Russia. We won because of you… The Russia story is a total fabrication. It’s just an excuse for the greatest loss in the history of American politics.”

Special Counsel Robert Mueller issued grand jury subpoenas this week as the next step in his investigation. Special counsel to the President Ty Cobb responded:

“The White House favors anything that accelerates the conclusion of his work fairly… The White House is committed to fully cooperating with Mr. Mueller.”

Republican Senator Lindsay Graham on whether or not Trump lied about helping his son write a misleading statement about his meeting with a Russia lawyer in 2016:

“If that’s true then that was a bad decision by the President which will make us ask more questions… When you get caught in a lie about one thing, it makes it hard to just say ‘let the other stuff go.'”

Recently released transcripts reveal Trump’s comments in his January (2017) conversation with Mexican President Enrique Peña Nieto:

“We have a massive drug problem where kids are becoming addicted to drugs because the drugs are being sold for less money than candy… I won New Hampshire because New Hampshire is a drug-infested den.”

(Trump won the Republican primary in New Hampshire, but he lost the state to Hillary Clinton in last years presidential election by roughly 3,000 votes.)

New Hampshire’s Republican Governor Chris Sununu responded to Trump’s statement:

“It’s disappointing his mischaracterization of this epidemic ignores the great things this state has to offer.”

New Hampshire Democratic Congresswoman Carol Shea-Porter also responded:

“No, Mr. President, you’re wrong about New Hampshire – but you have failed to help us fight the opioid crisis… Stop attacking health care, and make the investments you promised.”

The Trump Admistration hopes to cut legal immigration to the United States by nearly half. As critics piled on, Trump responded:

“This legislation will not only restore our competitive edge in the 21st century, but it will restore the sacred bonds of trust between America and its citizens. This legislation demonstrates our compassion for struggling American families who deserve an immigration system that puts their needs first and that puts America first.”

“The Mooch” Is Out… The LCR Responds…

After just 10 days, White House Communications Director Anthony Scaramucci, has been fired. Not only fired, but escorted out of the White House. Our contributors respond…

“The Trump Administration is in a tailspin. Where’s the pilot? Certainly not Donald Trump, whose temperamental instability is now legendary. The new Chief of Staff, John Kelly appears to have made the recommendation, which may be the only indicator that someone might be able to take the controls in an effort to prevent the administration from crashing and burning into the earth.” – Registered Independent Voter

“Anthony Scaramucci’s short tenure is truly astounding. After 10 days of foul mouthing tweets, interviews, and brash statements Anythony was fired and “escorted” out of the White house today. The Trump administration now awaits the new Chief of Staff John Kelly, who some feel will finally bring some measure of organization and discipline to the White House.“ – Independent Asian Inquisitor

“Anthony Scaramucci resigned today. I think that makes it a total of 10 days that he lasted in the position. At this point, Trump’s presidency is looking more like a badly produced reality dating show and less like the highest office in the country. Actually, it’s not even at this point; Mr. Trump has been making a mockery of the office for quite some time now. This presidency says more about us as a people than Donald Trump. This is who we as a people chose to run our country. Not only him as a president, but all the senators with the power to hold the president accountable. When will we say enough is enough? Someone needs to step in, but who can that be with the GOP holding all the cards? Who knows? Until then, I’ll be waiting for the next episode from the shit show.” – Left HR Professional

“Maybe this is going to be the next phase of McMaster. Chaos ensues, and eventually the President concedes that he needs a professional – even if the professionals insist as a condition of taking the job that they require the authority to work. Maybe that’s a sign that the level of crazy may decline in the coming months.” – Right Army Veteran

“Ten days and a profane diatribe later Trump is yet again facing a major personnel shakeup in an increasingly chaotic White House. Ironically enough Scaramucci’s tenure was shorter than the time it’s taken for Spicer to leave his post after resigning. There may be one silver lining though, the removal reportedly comes at the request of John Kelly, the new Chief of Staff, and hopefully signals a new direction for the White House and hopefully increased stability. Or, just as likely, more chaos. It’s anybody’s guess.” – Center Left College Student

“Today’s latest White House staff shake up isn’t shocking or a surprise. What is a surprise is the firing is one of Trump’s personality, a brash in your face New Yorker.” – Independent Texas Male

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Priebus Resigns, Kelly Named New Chief of Staff

After 6 months, White House Chief of Staff Reince Priebus resigned yesterday. He left just days after the well-publicized squabble with new White House Communications Director Anthony Scaramucci. Trump tweeted that Homeland Security Secretary John Kelly would replace Priebus immediately.

Amidst rumors surfacing about Priebus being a leaker, it’s surprising that this news did not make it to the press within the past 24 hours. Understandably, the White House did not want to make such an announcement during the healthcare debate and vote last night.

Comey out… Spicer out… Scaramucci in… Priebus out… Kelly in… Sessions heavily criticized… That’s a lot of turnover in 6 months… Should the American people be worried?

McCain Votes “NO” and Saves Obamacare

Shortly after midnight, in a historic vote, Senator John McCain voted “No” to Mitch McConnel’s Healthcare Freedom Act, also known as the “skinny repeal.” As the last Senator to cast his vote, he had the power to either pass or kill the bill. He chose the latter and joined Senator’s Susan Collins of Maine and Lisa Murkoski of Alaska. The irony… McCain was one of President Obama’s loudest critics regarding the Affordable Care Act, and last night he was the final vote, which essentially saved President Obama’s bill.

McCain was recently diagnosed with brain cancer; however, he flew back to Washington earlier this week to vote “Yes” on the motion to move forward with health-care legislation. He then took to the Senate floor to ridicule his party for trying to pass a bad bill.

“Stop listening to the bombastic loudmouths on the radio and television and the Internet… To hell with them! They don’t want anything done for the public good. Our incapacity is their livelihood. Let’s trust each other. Let’s return to regular order.”

This is truly a historic moment in America’s efforts to get healthcare right. After 7 years of campaigning to repeal and replace Obamacare, Republicans have failed to deliver and pass a better bill. What’s next for the Republican Party?