International

Unfortunately, since religion is such a minefield for politicians, Americans have become accustomed to disassociating religious extremists from their religion so as not to offend mainstream religious voters.

We are now witnessing the inevitable consequences of going into a war in a nation that posed no threats to the US, was politically stable, sectarian, where Shiites, Sunni and Christians lived side by side in relative harmony and al Qaeda was viewed as an enemy by all sides.

Good morning everyone and welcome to the 5th anniversary edition of Morning Blog.

We have to be the first to take personal responsibility for our own carbon footprint. And it's probably not going to be a walk in the park--most other industrialized nations keep energy prices high for a variety of different reasons.

With such an unpopular and xenophobic agenda so desperately desired, might not Trump and Bannon see it to their advantage if a terrorist attack did take place and a frightened public fell in line behind whatever they wanted to do?

The GOP's vague alternatives to the Iran deal are dishonest and impossible but of course, they don't care. Like the nihilists they are, all they really care about is defeating every effort of their true enemy, Obama and Democrats. Not preventing Iran from having nuclear weapons.

In a surprise move today, Senator John McCain has demanded at a press conference that a special Senate committee be formed to investigate his own sanity...or as Senator McCain put it, "What do I know and when did I know it? And why? And where are my keys?"

It is likely that Pres. Obama may make raising the minimum wage a top priority since it would have a direct impact on aiding those with the lowest incomes (and reducing the cost to the government and taxpayers for subsidizing those low wages of greedy corporations) and make for a better economy.

Putin's game plan has been clear, using Russia's renewed oil revenues and supplies to support and control those countries that undermine stability for the rest of the world to create a space for Russia to wedge itself back in as the most powerful and threatening force among nations.

Was such a horrendous act that could galvanize The West against Russia inevitable? Was it only a matter of time until a brutal, militaristic dictatorship such as Russia would go too far to get what it wants that it shocks the rest of the world into turning against it in unity?