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Then-Deputy Secretary of Defense Patrick M. Shanahan poses for his official portrait in the U.S. Army portrait studio at the U.S. Pentagon in Arlington, Virginia, on July 19, 2017. Former Defense Secretary James Mattis is imposed as the predecessor in the background. (Photos: Monica King)
Then-Deputy Secretary of Defense Patrick M. Shanahan poses for his official portrait in the U.S. Army portrait studio at the U.S. Pentagon in Arlington, Virginia, on July 19, 2017. Former Defense Secretary James Mattis is imposed as the predecessor in the background. (Photos: Monica King)

Political elites have always and will always view Donald Trump as being unqualified to serve as president. The conventionally wise know only how to peer through a conventional lens, and to judge these matters using conventional standards.

He had never been the executive of a state, served as U.S. Senator or held any elected office at any level of government. But as a candidate, his lack of political experience played to his advantage

The electorate wanted a wrecking ball to tear down that conventional system, and rebuild one that works for “the forgotten men and women” of the country.

To do so, he frequently promised to fill his administration with “the best people, not the biggest donors” or typical politicos.

I am self funding and will hire the best people, not the biggest donors!

Posted by Donald J. Trump on Sunday, April 3, 2016

But the political newcomer soon learned that D.C. is a company town, and the president often must nominate “the best people” who can be confirmed by the U.S. Senate.

It is true the president has appointed and nominated others more aligned with his agenda. But they’ve generally taken a back seat to picks deemed satisfactory to Establishment Republicans.

That includes numerous top positions filled by officials who do not support his agenda and have even acted to sabotage it.

Unsurprisingly the Trump Administration has been a push-and-pull between the more interventionist wing of the Republican Establishment, and the “America First” wing represented by the president.

The 2018 midterm election resulted in a “split decision” that wiped away the Republican majority in the U.S. House, while at the same time increasing both the number of Trump allies and Republicans in the U.S. Senate.

Following the outcome, the president has decided to go in another direction at several departments and agencies, including the Department of Defense (DOD).

On December 23, President Trump announced Deputy Defense Secretary Patrick Shanahan will take over for General James Mattis as acting secretary of defense, effective January 1.

“I am pleased to announce that our very talented Deputy Secretary of Defense, Patrick Shanahan, will assume the title of Acting Secretary of Defense starting January 1, 2019,” the president tweeted. “Patrick has a long list of accomplishments while serving as Deputy, & previously Boeing. He will be great!”

General Mattis said he was “proud of the progress we have made over the last two years,” but his resignation letter clearly indicated differences of opinion over the nation’s role and alliances abroad were key to his decision.

The president’s second announcement bumped up the initial effective date of the Pentagon shakeup by two months. A week prior, President Trump declared the U.S. would withdraw military troops from Syria.

It should not have come as a surprise.

Eight months ago, the president told his national security team in the Situation Room U.S. troops must come home from Syria. The primary objective, at least publicly, had been to defeat ISIS, or the Islamic State.

Recent estimates peg the number of remaining ISIS fighters at roughly just 2,000.

He then ordered the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) to shutdown Operation Timber Sycamore, a covert operation authorized by Barack Obama that ultimately aided in the creation and rise of ISIS.

Still, both these decisions were made without the consent or support of his more hawkish advisors.

Now, many in the Trump Administration who disagreed with the decision in Syria are concerned a similar announcement regarding Afghanistan is imminent.

That includes General Mattis and others who support the effort to use the civil war as a predicate for regime change to remove Syrian President Bashar al-Assad.

There are currently 14,000 U.S. troops serving in Afghanistan, most of whom are part of the seemingly never-ending NATO-led mission to train, advise and assist Afghan forces.

The U.S. spent more than $1 trillion on military operations, more than $100 billion on “nation-building,” or funding and training an army of 350,000 Afghan soldiers. Roughly 2,400 U.S. soldiers have lost their lives.

The longest war in U.S. history began almost immediately after the attacks on September 11, 2001. President Trump has long-criticized continued U.S. involvement, and as a candidate campaigned on prioritizing the rise in illicit drug trades over foreign intervention.

The at least temporary selection of Mr. Shanahan indicates the president wants new blood to help him keep his campaign promises, something many in his own administration had lobbied against.

A native of Washington State, Mr. Shanahan earned a Bachelor of Science (B.S.) in mechanical engineering at the University of Washington.

His higher education resume couldn’t differ more from that of his predecessor, who attended the National War College of National Defense University in 1994.

He earned a Master of Science (M.S.) degree in mechanical engineering from Massachusetts Institute of Technology, and a Master of Business Administration (MBA) from the MIT Sloan School of Management.

Mr. Shanahan joined Boeing in 1986 and held management roles with Boeing Missile Defense Systems, and commercial airline programs for the 737, 747, 767, 777, and 787.

In contrast to General Mattis, his resume is filled with both experience in the private sector, as well as private-public partnerships.

In April 2016, he became Boeing senior vice president, Supply Chain & Operations. He was also a member of the Boeing Executive Council.

On March 16, 2017, President Trump nominated Mr. Shanahan to be the 33rd deputy secretary of defense, the second-highest civilian position at the U.S. Pentagon.

The president tasked his nominee to lead efforts to rebuild the U.S. military, which had become badly depleted and outdated under Barack Obama.

While he was ultimately confirmed by the U.S. Senate 92–7 on July 18, 2017, his nomination was not without attempted obstruction. In fact, for a brief moment it appeared to be headed for trouble.

Late-Senator John McCain, R-Ariz., threatened to block Shanahan’s nomination over his support for arming the anti-Russian forces in Ukraine. In a written response, Mr. Shanahan said he did not yet have access to classified information in order to make a decision.

By contrast, General Mattis was confirmed 98–1. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand, D-N.Y., who is expected to run for president in 2020, was the sole “no” vote.

With General Mattis moving out and Mr. Shanahan moving up, one might assume the media would praise the change, particularly considering outlets characterized them as constituting a “military junta.”

(Military Junta Mentions: The Washington Post | The Guardian | Vox )

Worth noting, Mr. Shanahan’s role at Boeing could prove quite useful in advancing another presidential priority

In June 2018, President Trump directed Joint Chiefs of Staff Chairman General Joseph Dunford to create a sixth branch of military service — Space Force. The announcement came during the third meeting of the National Space Council.

But the permanent government bureaucracy has resisted Space Policy Directive – 3, which provides guidelines and direction to ensure the U.S. is a leader in providing a safe and secure environment as commercial and civil space traffic increases.

The new directive also aims to reduce the growing threat of orbital debris to the common interest of all nations.

“Most of the brass at the Pentagon don’t want a Space Force, at least not another branch for it,” a senior official who spoke on the condition of anonymity told People’s Pundit Daily (PPD). “Defense and defense contractors have had a monopoly in that arena for decades.”

That would include Boeing, which competes for a large slice of the defense contractor pie. The source said it is also a matter of transparency, given private sector contractors are not subject to requests under the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA).

“Don’t be too optimistic,” the senior official responded when asked about the likelihood of Space Force. “They have no incentive to give that up or shine any light in dark corners. But it couldn’t hurt to have someone with his experience on board.”

Patrick Shanahan replacing James Mattis as secretary

Democrat Doug Jones campaigns for the U.S. Senate in Alabama. (Photo: AP)
Democrat Doug Jones campaigns for the U.S. Senate in Alabama. (Photo: AP)

Democratic Senator Doug Jones defeated Republican Judge Roy Moore in the 2017 special election for U.S. Senate in Alabama.

The contest was held to replace Jeff Sessions, the longtime senator from Alabama who served from 1997 to 2017 until he was nominated to serve as attorney general.

The race was decided by less than 2 points, and it was the first time a Democrat won the state of Alabama in more than 20 years, since Richard Shelby in 1996.

The incumbent Democrat will begin the 2020 election cycle as the underdog. President Donald Trump, who carried The Heart of Dixie 62.1% to 34.4%, will be on the ballot.

Mr. Jones’ vulnerabilities all but erase incumbency edge, even against a generic Republican.

But he may not even have that luxury.

Multiple sources have told People’s Pundit Daily (PPD) that several Senate Republicans want the former longtime senator and attorney general to run against Senator Jones to reclaim his former seat.

Mr. Sessions was first elected Attorney General of Alabama in November 1994, defeating incumbent Democrat Jimmy Evans with 57% of the vote. During confirmation hearings, Democrats attempted to use his time as state attorney general to paint him as a racist.

On February 8, 2017, his “friends and former colleagues” in the U.S. Senate barely confirmed him as the 84th U.S. Attorney General by a vote of 52 to 47.

The idea has been floated to numerous sources who spoke to PPD on the condition of anonymity, including a half-dozen GOP donors and insiders. They did not indicate whether Mr. Sessions was interested.

But what is clear is that Senate Republicans do not want the base to nominate a more pro-Trump friendly candidate, to include Rep. Mo Brooks, R-Ala., who ran unsuccessfully for the Republican nomination in the special election.

Rep. Brooks, a conservative who initially opposed the president in the nomination process, came in third behind appointed Senator Luther Strange and Judge Moore.

Judge Moore went on to defeat Mr. Strange in the runoff election, and ultimately went on to lose to Mr. Jones.

It was also clear that Republicans in support of the bid do not seem too concerned about whether Mr. Sessions damaged himself among the base. In fact, they clearly view Mr. Trump to be the electoral liability.

At one point, the once-incumbent rarely had to concern himself with general election challenges, let alone primary challenges. He was the first sitting member of the U.S. Senate to endorse President Trump as a candidate for the Republican nomination.

But much has changed since.

Mr. Sessions was fired and replaced as attorney general, and the president views his nomination as one of the greatest mistakes of his presidency, if not the greatest.

With Mr. Sessions recusing himself under political pressure, the special counsel was overseen by Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein, who many legal experts criticized as at least a potential witness in the case.

Mr. Rosenstein signed the last FISA warrant to spy on Team Trump, knowing full-well the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Court (FISC) was not told about the full nature of the dossier.

The unverified opposition research project was passed off as an intelligence product to satisfy the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA).

Nevertheless, despite the perceived conflict with Mr. Rosenstein and the lack of conflict with himself, Mr. Sessions refused to retake control or appoint a second special counsel to investigate the exposed conduct of the investigators.

But his former colleagues — including fellow southern Senators Thom Tillis, R-N.C., and Tim Scott, R-S.C. — have supported the special counsel investigation.

Mr. Scott has opposed several of Mr. Trump’s judicial appointments, and both have been vocal critics of his style and stance on immigration.

But they support the former attorney general returning to the upper chamber. Worth noting, Mr. Tillis serves as the the Vice Chairman of the National Republican Senatorial Committee (NRSC).

Incumbent Democratic Senator Doug Jones will be

President Donald Trump talks with U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) Border Patrol Agents, including Carla Provost, near the Otay Mesa Port of Entry in San Diego, California. U.S., March 13, 2018. (Photo: Reuters)
President Donald Trump talks with U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) Border Patrol Agents, including Carla Provost, near the Otay Mesa Port of Entry in San Diego, California. U.S., March 13, 2018. (Photo: Reuters)

President Donald Trump threatened Friday to close the southern border entirely if Democrats don’t support funding for the wall and immigration reform.

“We will be forced to close the Southern Border entirely if the Obstructionist Democrats do not give us the money to finish the Wall & also change the ridiculous immigration laws that our Country is saddled with,” the president tweeted. “Hard to believe there was a Congress & President who would approve!”

“….The United States looses soooo much money on Trade with Mexico under NAFTA, over 75 Billion Dollars a year (not including Drug Money which would be many times that amount), that I would consider closing the Southern Border a “profit making operation.” We build a Wall or…..”

“…..close the Southern Border. Bring our car industry back into the United States where it belongs. Go back to pre-NAFTA, before so many of our companies and jobs were so foolishly sent to Mexico. Either we build (finish) the Wall or we close the Border……”

“…..Honduras, Guatemala and El Salvador are doing nothing for the United States but taking our money. Word is that a new Caravan is forming in Honduras and they are doing nothing about it. We will be cutting off all aid to these 3 countries – taking advantage of U.S. for years!”

The president’s threat comes as the government shutdown continues, a police officer in California was killed by an illegal immigrant and several new migrant caravans backed by liberal activist groups are heading to the southern border.

“This suspect is in our country illegally. He doesn’t belong here. We will find him. We will arrest him, and we will bring him to justice,” Stanislaus County Sheriff Adam Christianson said Thursday at a press conference.

The sheriff slammed Democrats for not supporting the border wall and immigration reform, accusing them of supporting policies that are killing citizens and law enforcement officers, for political gain.

“This is not a game,” said Art Del Cueto, head of the 2544 Border Patrol Council. “The individuals out there making this a political game need to stop. They need to realize we need better border security, the wall being a big part of it.”

“How many more American citizens have to die because of these individuals?”

President Donald Trump threatened Friday to close

Labor Market Shows No Sign of Weakening in Weekly Initial Jobless Claims

U.S. jobless claims graph on a tablet screen. (Photo: AdobeStock)
U.S. jobless claims graph on a tablet screen. (Photo: AdobeStock)

The Labor Department said initial jobless claims fell by another 1,000 to just 216,000 for the week ending December 22, beating the consensus forecast.

The 4-week moving average came in at just 218,000, a decline of 4,750 from the previous week’s revised average.

The advance seasonally adjusted insured unemployment rate was unchanged at a very low 1.2% for the week ending December 15. The advance number for seasonally adjusted insured unemployment during the week ending December 15 was 1,701,000, a decline of 4,000.

The 4-week moving average was 1,675,750, down another 1,000 from the previous week’s revised average.

No state was triggered “on” the Extended Benefits program during the week ending December 8.

The highest insured unemployment rates in the week ending December 8 were in Alaska (3.2), New Jersey (2.1), California (1.9), Montana (1.9), Pennsylvania (1.9), Puerto Rico (1.9), Connecticut (1.8), Illinois (1.8), Minnesota (1.7), and Washington (1.7).

The largest increases in initial claims for the week ending December 15 were in Michigan (+1,727), Massachusetts (+1,097), Maryland (+321), Connecticut (+293), and Arkansas (+265), while the largest decreases were in Illinois (-2,002), Minnesota (-1,104), Iowa (-930), Georgia (-606), and New Jersey (-581).

The Labor Department said initial jobless claims

Dick’s Sporting Goods Betrayed Capitalism for SJWs Who Hate It, and They’re Paying the Price for It

The exterior of a Dick's Sporting Goods store in Manchester, Connecticut, in 2014. (Photo: Mike Mozart of TheToyChannel and JeepersMedia on YouTube)
The exterior of a Dick’s Sporting Goods store in Manchester, Connecticut, in 2014. (Photo: Mike Mozart of TheToyChannel and JeepersMedia on YouTube)

Back in 2014, I wrote a feel-good story from Ferguson, Missouri, about how armed black men protected a white-owned store during riots that wreaked havoc in the city.

Sarah Silverman surely wouldn’t approve, but I thought it was a heartwarming combination of human solidarity and individual rights.

It’s time for another feel-good story. The Washington Free-Beacon reported earlier this month that Dick’s Sporting Goods is suffering because the company adopted an anti-gun posture.

Dick’s Sporting Goods told investors during the Goldman Sachs Retailing Conference that its gun-control stance hurt sales of its hunting business, outdoors business, and that it may close its outdoor-focused Field & Stream stores. Edward Stack, chairman and CEO of Dick’s, said during the event that the sporting goods chain’s recent 3.9 percent drop in same-store sales was the result of a mix of factors beyond their control as well as some he called “self-imposed.” Specifically, he said, “the decisions we made on firearms” negatively affected their bottom line… The company insisted during the earnings call that while their embrace of gun-control policies was hurting store foot traffic as well as their hunting and outdoors business, they’ve found ways to offset the losses. …Still, Dick’s admitted both firearms customers and the firearms industry have rebutted the retailer because of their gun-control advocacy. …The company said it may soon close down their entire Field & Stream chain of 35 stores across 18 states.

By the way, I was interviewed earlier this year by a French TV program on the issue of gun control. Here’s the part where I discussed the company’s foolish decision.

Since I’m not a shareholder, part of me is unconcerned about decisions made by the management at Dick’s.

The CEO presumably lives in a wealthy area, far removed from the threat of crime or chaos, so I’m guessing he has no understanding or appreciation of the need for self defense.

And he probably thought – foolishly, we’ve learned – that the company’s decision would help the bottom line by generating positive coverage from the establishment media.

It brings to mind this insightful tweet, which I saw thanks to Amy Alkon.

Except the people who buy sporting goods are not the vapid social justice warriors who proclaim their hostility to capitalism while patronizing some of the world’s most aggressively hyper-capitalist companies.

In any event, I don’t care that the senior management at Dick’s has adopted an anti-gun ideology.

But I get very agitated when the company gets in bed with government in a campaign to reduce the freedoms of other people.

Dick’s decided to hire their own gun-control lobbyists in order to push for stricter gun laws nationwide. That action led the National Shooting Sports Foundation—the firearms industry’s trade group—to expel the retailer.

This is why I’m happy to see Dick’s go downhill.

Schadenfreude rocks!

Senior management at Dick's Sporting Goods adopted

Shakeup Comes Two Months Earlier than Scheduled, Amid Policy Disagreements Over Foreign Conflict

President Donald Trump left, waves to the crowd as he is introduced by Defense Secretary James Mattis, right, aboard the nuclear aircraft carrier USS Gerald R. Ford for it's commissioning at Naval Station Norfolk in Norfolk, Va., Saturday, July 22, 2017. (Photo: AP)
President Donald Trump left, waves to the crowd as he is introduced by Defense Secretary James Mattis, right, aboard the nuclear aircraft carrier USS Gerald R. Ford for it’s commissioning at Naval Station Norfolk in Norfolk, Va., Saturday, July 22, 2017. (Photo: AP)

President Donald Trump announced on Twitter Sunday that Patrick Shanahan, the deputy defense secretary will take over for General James Mattis as acting secretary of defense, effective January 1.

“I am pleased to announce that our very talented Deputy Secretary of Defense, Patrick Shanahan, will assume the title of Acting Secretary of Defense starting January 1, 2019,” the president tweeted. “Patrick has a long list of accomplishments while serving as Deputy, & previously Boeing. He will be great!”

In his resignation letter, General Mattis said he was “proud of the progress we have made over the last two years,” but clearly indicated differences of opinion over the nation’s role and alliances abroad were key to his decision.

“Because you have the right to have a secretary of defense whose views better align with yours on these and other subjects, I believe it is right for me to step down from my position,” he wrote to the president.

The Trump Administration has always been a push-and-pull between the more interventionist wing of the mainstream Republican establishment, and the “America First” wing represented by the president.

Eight months ago, the president told his national security team in the Situation Room U.S. troops must come home from Syria. The primary objective, at least publicly, had been to defeat ISIS, or the Islamic State.

Last week, President Trump declared the U.S. would withdraw military troops from Syria. Recent estimates peg the number of remaining ISIS fighters at roughly just 2,000.

But the decision was made without the consent or support of his more hawkish advisors, , who also support the effort to use the civil war as a predicate for regime change to remove Syrian President Bashar al-Assad.

Many in the Trump Administration are concerned a similar announcement regarding Afghanistan is imminent. That includes General Mattis, who was initially scheduled to retire at the end of February, 2018.

There are currently 14,000 U.S. troops serving in Afghanistan, most of whom are part of the seemingly never-ending NATO-led mission to train, advise and assist Afghan forces.

The longest war in U.S. history began almost immediately after the attacks on September 11, 2001. President Trump has long-criticized continued U.S. involvement, and as a candidate campaigned on prioritizing illicit drug trades over foreign intervention.

The U.S. spent more than $1 trillion on military operations, more than $100 billion on “nation-building,” or funding and training an army of 350,000 Afghan soldiers. Roughly 2,400 U.S. soldiers have lost their lives.

Meanwhile, opium production in Afghanistan skyrocketed to a record high 9,000 metric tons for the year in 2017, rising 87% compared with 2016.

The departure of General Mattis is the latest in a recent post-2018 midterm shakeup for the administration.

President Trump fired Jeff Sessions as attorney general for behavior conservatives at best characterize as incompetence. The Democratic takeover in the U.S. House played no small role in the firing of Interior Secretary Ryan Zinke and White House Chief of Staff John Kelly.

Mr. Zinke was fired for ethics questions that would’ve dominated the lower chamber with hearings and the president will now need a chief of staff that is more politically savvy than General Kelly.

President Trump announced Deputy Defense Secretary Patrick

A closeup of a young man with a pile of hazelnuts in his hands during the harvest. (Photo: AdobeStock)
A closeup of a young man with a pile of hazelnuts in his hands during the harvest. (Photo: AdobeStock)

As the trade war with Beijing grinds on, and Wall Street continues to take a bath with the current bear market, there are signs of hope on the horizon, especially with American hazelnut growers in Oregon.

The largest grower in Oregon is supportive of the confrontation, and believes that if a conclusion is found rather quickly, the solution could be a win-win for both American growers and the Chinese consumer.

“I am a free trade guy,” said Larry George, the CEO of Northwest Hazelnut Company, in a recent interview with the author.

Northwest is the largest hazelnut producer and distributer in the United States.

“However, I am reluctantly surprised at the opportunity,” he added. “We have faced 25% tariffs on exports to China for some time; this is a chance to change that.”

“It could be a win-win for our business, and our Chinese customers.”

Oregon developed the export channel to China over the last two decades, culminating in 70% of its product being shipped to the Middle Kingdom. Now these supply chains are in danger of being permanently disrupted.

“If this is not solved soon, we will have to diversify back away from China, and develop new, premium markets in Europe and elsewhere,” Mr. George explained. “We produce in-shell nuts, not kernels. The taste is unique and the Chinese love them.”

“And, they pay a premium for them.”

In spite of the significant impact the tariffs have had so far on the industry, with exports to China down by half, the industry is optimistic.

“We have made it through this season. The question is whether we can do the same next year if this conflict continues. We have to maintain good prices for our farmers,” he continued. “However, we are optimistic the issue of retaliatory tariffs can be solved.”

“We are looking to fundamentally change the relationship between China and the United States. I could be a huge benefit for Oregon hazelnut growers. No tariffs at all would be best, again, a win-win for both sides.”

There have been some signs of a thawing of the tensions between Washington and Beijing, with China agreeing to import large quantities of soy beans once again.

“In the past, we had to tranship our product through third-party countries to bypass the tariffs. If we shipped directly to China, we would face a 25% tax. Whereas, if someone shipped from Chile, they would pay no tax at all.

The tariffs, while resulting in the opening of other Chinese markets to U.S. goods, have created friction at all levels in the relationship for hazelnut growers.

Mr. George detailed that friction in a recent oped with The Daily Caller.

“Oregon’s long-standing relationship with China paid off in April, right on the heels of adversarial talk about tariffs. Chinese officials reached out to Oregon hazelnut farmers, asking what help is needed for family farmers get their product into China,” the op-ed stated.

“This is the type of communication and cooperation that leads to progress. It’s not, however, what makes it to the newsroom.”

As a minuscule part of U.S. GDP, the industry has been overlooked in past trade deals, never making “the list” for special tariff consideration. Mr. George and other hazelnut growers are hoping this time is different, and the Trump Administration will give consideration to the industry in Oregon.

As the trade war with Beijing grinds

Growers in Eastern Afghanistan harvest opium from ripe papaver somniferum, more commonly known as the Opium poppy.
Growers in Eastern Afghanistan harvest opium from ripe papaver somniferum, more commonly known as the Opium poppy.

Last week, President Donald Trump declared the U.S. would withdraw military troops from Syria, and he did so without the consent of his more hawkish advisors.

Many in the Trump Administration are concerned a similar announcement regarding Afghanistan is imminent. That includes General James Mattis, who will leave his post as secretary of defense by the end of February.

The longest war in U.S. history began almost immediately after the attacks on September 11, 2001. President Trump has long-criticized continued U.S. involvement, and as a candidate campaigned on prioritizing illicit drug trades over foreign intervention.

After more than 17 years – deploying at peak more than 100,000 troops, sacrificing the lives of nearly 2,400 U.S. soldiers, spending more than $1 trillion on military operations, more than $100 billion on “nation-building,” or funding and training an army of 350,000 Afghan soldiers – opium production in Afghanistan has never been more robust than it was last year.

The annual opium survey from the U.N. Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) for 2017 found a record high 9,000 metric tons for the year, rising 87% compared with 2016.

“Increased insurgency and funding to terrorist groups is likely within Afghanistan while more high quality, low cost heroin will reach consumer markets across the world, leading to increased consumption,” the UNODC wrote in the report.

Blaming the Taliban for illicit opium production and trade in Afghanistan has become the common narrative for western corporate big media. But it conveniently omits the fact the trend was headed in the right direction prior to the invasion by U.S. and coalition troops.

Prior to 2001, Afghanistan had already been the world’s leading illicit opium producer, having claimed that title since 1992.

However, former Taliban leader Mullah Mohammed Omar declared growing papaver somniferum, more commonly known as opium poppies, to be un-Islamic in July of 2000.

The result was one of the world’s most successful anti-drug campaigns ever waged. That’s no small part due to how the Taliban enforced the ban on poppy farming, which was via threats, forced eradication and public punishments.

But Afghanistan saw a 99% reduction in the area of opium poppy farming in Taliban-controlled areas, which represented roughly 75% of the world’s supply of heroin at the time.

In 2001, Afghanistan produced approximately 180 metric tons of opium. Only one year after the allied invasion, opium production swelled to more than 3,000 metric tons a year.

According to U.N. estimates dating back to 2010, opium harvested in Afghanistan produces more than 90% of the world’s illicit heroin, and more than 95% of the illicit supply bound for Europe.

Those are outdated estimates, to be sure.

The 2017 UNODC annual report, which hasn’t yet been released for 2018, cited a rapid expansion of the areas used to cultivate poppies and an increase in the average yield per hectare.

While provincial governors claimed to have eradicated roughly 750 hectares used for poppy cultivation, more than twice as much as the previous year, it pales in comparison to production growth.

Areas under cultivation hit a record 328,000 hectares, up over 60% from the previous year. The average yield per rose by 15%, with Southern and Northeastern regions experiencing the largest growth.

Point being, these expansions occurred right under the noses of U.S. and allied forces, despite Barack Obama and Donald Trump both deciding to postpone troop withdrawals.

Mr. Obama’s postponement was indefinite. Mr. Trump’s was not. Nevertheless, it is widely known that he unchained U.S. commanders, and yet illicit opium production has continued to increase.

Increased opium production in Afghanistan has resulted in the scourge of addiction at home and epidemics abroad in the U.S. and Europe. A 2013 UNODC report estimated — though most drugs are smuggled abroad — there were 1.3 to 1.6 million drug addicts in Afghanistan.

In Helmand Province, the very building used as the office of the British Provincial Reconstruction Team — which dispersed millions of dollars in nation-building aide — is now a depressing and dark facility for recovering drug addicts.

“Now, the base is barren; stripped of everything of value,” Sune Engel Rasmussen in Lashkar Gah, wrote for the Guardian in 2017. “Occasional moans reverberate down the corridors where gaunt-looking men sleep, belly-down, seeking respite from the sun beating through the windows.”

“All of them are recovering drug addicts.”

More than half of the nation’s opium poppies are grown in Helmand, where the number of women who suffer from addiction is growing rapidly. Females cannot currently find treatment, a problem provincial officials also blamed on too few resources.

Since 2001, the U.S. alone has spent at least $8.6 billion specifically to combat opium production in Afghanistan. Meanwhile, nearly all attempts to introduce alternative crops during the same period, have failed.

Since 2001, opium production in Afghanistan rose

Survey of Consumers Signals U.S. Economy Poised for Longest Expansion Ever Recorded

Group of friends sitting outdoors with shopping bags; several people holding smartphones and tablets. (Photo: AdobeStock/ OneInchPunch/PPD)
Group of friends sitting outdoors with shopping bags; several people holding smartphones and tablets. (Photo: AdobeStock/ OneInchPunch/PPD)

The final reading on consumer sentiment in December came in stronger than expected at 98.3, beating the previous estimate and consensus forecast of 97.5. In 2018, the Survey of Consumers posted its strongest yearly average in 18 years.

The Current Economic Conditions rose nearly 4 points from 112.3 in November to 116.1 in December, one of the strongest readings in 2018 and a favorable indicator of robust holiday spending. The subcomponent has risen 2.0% on the year.

“Consumer confidence remained in December at the same record favorable levels as it has throughout the year. The Sentiment Index averaged 98.4 in 2018, the best year since 107.6 in 2000,” Richard Curtain, chief economist for the Survey of Consumers said. “Over the past half century, sentiment was higher in only two other time periods: 1964-65 and 1997-2000.”

Mr. Curtain noted that these periods correspond to the two longest prior periods of economic expansions since the mid 1800’s. If it continues for another six months, those records will be broken.

“If the current expansion lasts past mid-2019, as is likely based on current data, it will become the longest expansion ever recorded,” he added. “While the plunge in stock prices has recently garnered the most attention in the national press, consumers have focused more on their concerns about income and job prospects.”

The Index of Consumer Expectations actually ticked down from an elevated reading of 88.1 to 87.0, though remains 3.2% higher on the year. The Index of Consumer Sentiment overall has increased 2.5% on the year.

“Consumers reported more negative than positive news about job prospects for the first time in two years, with the shift widespread across socioeconomic subgroups,” Mr. Curtain added. “When asked about prospects for the national unemployment rate, 30% expected increases, up from last month’s 22% and the highest percentage in two years.”

While the unemployment rate remains near a 49-year low at 3.7% and wages have risen for the second straight month at a rate not seen since the 1990s, job creation did appear to slow somewhat at the start of the fourth-quarter.

However, after an initial uptick, jobless claims returned to all-time low levels over the last two weeks, and the skills gap rather than openings has become the focus of labor market challenges.

“Importantly, this still meant that 70% anticipated no increase in unemployment in the year ahead,” Mr. Curtain added. Surprisingly, even in the last week of the survey, falling stock prices were reported by just 12% as a primary concern about recent economic developments.”

“This may reflect their initial dismissal as another indication of the heightened volatility of stock prices, and not signal an emerging downtrend. While next month’s data may reflect increased concerns, it has been news of changing job and income prospects that have been of the greatest concern to consumers.”

The final reading on consumer sentiment in

Gross domestic product (GDP) graphic concept. (Photo: AdobeStock)
Gross domestic product (GDP) graphic concept. (Photo: AdobeStock)

The Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) said the “third” and final estimate for third-quarter (Q3) 2018 gross domestic product (GDP) came in at a strong 3.4%, down just 0.1% from the previous two estimates.

Real gross domestic income (GDI) rose 4.3% in Q3, compared with an increase of 0.9% in Q2.

The average of real GDP and real GDI, which is a supplemental measure of U.S. economic activity that equally weights GDP and GDI, gained 3.8% in Q3, compared with an increase of 2.5% in Q2.

Current-dollar GDP rose a solid 4.9%, or $246.3 billion, in Q3 to $20.66 trillion. In Q2, current-dollar GDP gained 7.6%, or $370.9 billion.

The price index for gross domestic purchases increased 1.8% in Q3, compared with an increase of 2.4% in the second quarter. The PCE price index increased 1.6%, compared with an increase of 2.0%.

Excluding food and energy prices, the PCE price index increased 1.6%, compared with an increase of 2.1%.

Gross domestic product (GDP) graphic concept. (Photo:

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