Here are this week's items: the "new" Russia; the looming ethics struggle; jobs; ballots; finally, the happiest Christmastime TV ad.

Putin's Russia, 2016. Anthony J. Bilken, Assistant Secretary of State, writes about a new America, one with much less power.  The postwar order that America built now is facing acute challenges, including from old competitors. Russia’s president, Vladimir Putin, is no Stalin and Russia is no Soviet Union. But Mr. Putin does seek to recreate a Russian sphere of influence while picking apart the liberal international order that prevailed in the Cold War. Nevertheless, might it not be that this analogy rings true?   Trump : Make America Great Again  ::  Putin : Make Russia Great Again

     Spheres of influence, a modern-day resurrection of  Secretary of State Monroe's diplomatic past? How quaint. The president-elect has "argued that the United States should get out of the business of 'defending the world'. " Clearly Trump does not realize how much of his current globe-spanning wealth has been made possible by our post-WW II defense posture.


Trump : Make American Great Again


The "new ethics."  In a recent column, right-leaning columnist Jennifer Rubin looks at the potential ethics concerns involving the in-coming Trump administration. In the more distant past such potential conflicts were largely hidden; they popped up later. (e.g., Tea Pot Dome). Not so in today's interconnected, instantaneous world. Most definitely, "unplowed ground" lies ahead.

Jobs. The loss of jobs was a important topic reiterated over and over by candidate Trump -- and too much ignored by candidate Clinton. The title of an article by Ted Mellnik and Chris Alcantara noted a most important point -- and asked the requisite question: "Manufacturing jobs are returning to some places. But these jobs are different. The United States has lost millions of factory jobs, but in the last few years, some have come back. Can more return?" There is no doubt that education and re-training will be key to what follows.

With new, advanced manufacturing jobs arising in pocket areas nationwide, a new kind of manufacturing worker, one with a college degree as well as advanced technical skills, is needed.

Communities that have landed these jobs often credit local job training programs, in partnership with community colleges and other schools, with helping build worker skills.

Peter Morici, a University of Maryland business professor, economist and conservative commentator, has said. “Workers don’t have a right to these jobs. They have to train themselves. They have to earn these jobs by being productive.”

Ballots. Third-party candidate, Jill Stein, has demanded a recount in three closely contested states, MI, PA, and WI. Needless to say, all without any effect on the ultimate outcome. What has been highlighted, though, is the fragility, the vulnerability of our federally dictated electoral system.

Two very appropriate holiday TV ads . So voted by the Abell household. Here's the YouTube link to the happiest (who does not like at least one Hershey holiday kiss?) and the link to one about sharing (the priest and the imam).

Thank you for reading.  A Joyous Christmas to one and all!