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Liberal activists struggled Monday to avoid giving President Trump credit for killing the proposed Trans-Pacific Partnership after he made abandoning U.S. involvement in the 12-Pacific nation trade deal one of his first official acts in office.

As much as liberals hated TPP, they were equally loathe to give him any credit for ending it, arguing instead that the deal was dead before he took office.

"Of course President Trump is giving himself credit for withdrawing from the defunct TPP, but the truth is that the deal was beaten by years of organizing from a broad, international coalition and millions of Americans who rejected corporate trade and fought against its threats to our families and our climate," said Sierra Club Executive Director Michael Brune.

Lori Wallach, director of Public Citizen's Global Trade Watch, described TPP as the "moldering corpse of a deal that couldn't gain majority support in Congress," while Evan Greer, campaign director of activist group Fight for the Future, said, "The victory against the TPP belongs to the people, not to Donald Trump or any other politician."

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Organized labor groups were less dismissive of Trump's role, emphasizing that he was fulfilling a campaign promise. "With this decision, the president has taken the first step toward fixing 30 years of bad trade policies that have cost working Americans millions of good-paying jobs," said Teamsters President James P. Hoffa.

Still, their reaction was mostly grudging. "Labor including @AFTunion (& so many Dems) has been against #TPP from day 1 -glad Trump will abandon #TPP," tweeted American Federation of Teachers President Randi Weingarten.

AFL-CIO President Richard Trumka issued a statement on TPP's demise that did not mention Trump at all: "Last year, a powerful coalition of labor, environmental, consumer, public health and allied groups came together to stop the TPP. Today's announcement that the U.S. is withdrawing from TPP and seeking a reopening of NAFTA is an important first step toward a trade policy that works for working people."

TPP would have lowered tariffs and trade barriers among the U.S. and 11 other Pacific Rim nations. Getting it confirmed by Congress was a major part of former President Obama's economic agenda. He argued the deal was needed to prevent China from dominating the Pacific region economically.

Critics on the Left, including labor unions, environmental groups and others, argued the deal would benefit corporations at the expense of U.S. workers and the economy.

Also from the Washington Examiner

Republicans in the House and Senate have introduced legislation that would give governors the power to reject federal efforts to resettle refugees in their states.

The bill from Sen. Ted Cruz and Rep. Ted Poe, both of Texas, is a reaction to years of growing GOP frustration with the Obama administration's aggressive effort to take in refugees, and resettlement across the country. Republicans continue to have doubts that refugees can be vetted to ensure they aren't Islamic State terrorists.

The State Refugee Security Act would require the federal government to notify states at least 21 days before they seek to settle a refugee.

01/24/17 2:51 PM

It was an argument that Trump agreed with and regularly used on the campaign trail, often in language that was strong even for him.

"The Trans-Pacific Partnership is another disaster done and pushed by special interests who want to rape our country just a continuing rape of our country. It's a harsh word, but it's true," Trump said in July.

The anti-TPP argument won over many lawmakers, even a few Republicans, and the Obama administration was never able to get enough support for a proper vote. Opposition was so strong on the Left that even Democrartic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton, who had helped to negotiate the deal as Obama's secretary of state, eventually came out against it.

In a leaked an Oct. 6, 2015 email, Nikki Budzinski, Clinton's trade policy adviser, made clear that the main consideration behind the move was to secure union help during the election. "This will be very helpful with mobilization on the ground and support within labor during and after this primary."

Also from the Washington Examiner

Sean Spicer indicates "mainstream" pick Schumer demands will be a conservative.

01/24/17 2:50 PM

Top Story

Agent in charge of the Service's Denver office made numerous social media posts hostile to Trump.

01/24/17 12:58 PM

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Liberals avoid giving Trump credit for TPP's demise - Washington Examiner (blog)

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In the Commons, the minister for exiting the EU, David Davis, earlier told the House the government was determined to deliver Brexit, and will move swiftly to introduce as straightforward Bill, allowing the process to be completed by March, in line with the governments current timetable.

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He reiterated the decision to leave the EU will not be waylaid, underscoring the point of no return was passed on 23rd of June last year.

The statement acts as a shot across the bows of Labour, the Liberal Democrats, and the Scottish National Party, all of which are threatening to derail the Brexit process.

Mindful of the strong Leave vote in its northern constituencies, in particular, Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn has said that his party respects the result of the referendum and will not frustrate Article 50.

But he added: However, Labour will seek to amend the Article 50 Bill to prevent the Conservatives using Brexit to turn Britain into a bargain basement tax haven off the coast of Europe.

The party is also demanding a detailed plan from the Government throughout the two-year-long Brexit negotiations following the invoking of Article 50, and a vote on the final deal before it goes through.

However, his stance may provoke further infighting within his beleaguered party, not least as the Shadow Brexit Secretary Keir Starmer has hinted that Labour MPs who vote against triggering Article 50 may escape punishment from the party. Starmer told Sky News that a decision on how to handle the rebels would be taken collegiately. Four shadow ministers are said to be considering a revolt.

But with two by-elections looming, leave supporting Labour members are calling for more robust support for Brexit, fearful that without it the partys support base will erode significantly.

Labour must urgently adopt a Pro-Brexit policy or risk losing dozens of seats in the Midlands and the North to either the Tories or UKIP, said Brendan Chilton of Labour Leave in a press release.

He added: Labours confusing position on Brexit and other issues such as immigration is contributing to our continuing downward turn in the opinion polls. The country voted to leave the EU, Labour should champion the wishes of working class people in the UK and support Brexit.

The Liberal Democrats, meanwhile, have gone a step further in their demands, insisting that they will only vote for Article 50 if the government promises to give the British people a say on the final deal following negotiations in a second referendum.

This Tory Brexit government are keen to laud the democratic process when it suits them, but will not give the people a voice over the final deal. They seem happy to start with democracy and end in a stitch-up, Liberal leader Tim Farron said.

While in Scotland, First Minister Nicola Sturgeon has insisted that the Scottish government must be given a say on Article 50, despite the Supreme Courts ruling that the regional parliaments do not need to be consulted.

Sturgeon said: We are obviously disappointed with the Supreme Courts ruling in respect of the devolved administrations.

Although the court has concluded that the UK government is not legally obliged to consult the devolved administrations, there remains a clear political obligation to do so.

The Scottish government will bring forward a Legislative Consent Motion and ensure that the Scottish Parliament has the opportunity to vote on whether or not it consents to the triggering of Article 50.

The party has vowed that its 56 elected representatives in Westminster will table some 50 serious and substantive amendments to the Bill on Article 50.

The government will, therefore, have to negotiate a minefield to get the legislation through quickly and efficiently and must do so effectively if it is not to provoke the ire of Leave supporters.

As Leave.EU chairman Arron Banks warned in a press release: This Tory government wants to be a champion for ordinary people, now May must prove it by driving Brexit through Parliament post-haste 17.4 million voters will be watching her every move.

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Labour, Liberals, SNP Jump On Article 50 Ruling to Derail Brexit - Breitbart News

Premier Kathleen Wynne sent the first open letter on Sunday, questioning O'Leary about comments he had made about Ontarios auto sector. ( Sean Kilpatrick / THE CANADIAN PRESS )

By Allison JonesThe Canadian Press

Tues., Jan. 24, 2017

The Ontario Liberal government is blitzing federal Conservative leadership candidate Kevin OLeary with a series of fact-check open letters, which a political pundit said could be part of an electoral long game.

McMaster University political science professor Henry Jacek said the Liberals know that going after OLeary will appeal to their potential voters.

Theyre not likely to like Kevin OLeary at all, so it doesnt hurt at all to tell these people: Kevin OLeary doesnt like us, he said.

Read more:

Why Kevin O'Leary is a gift to Kathleen Wynne: Cohn

Kevin OLeary says Kathleen Wynne is incompetent

If you know your base dislikes somebody and doesnt trust them, boom, just play that up that theyre attacking you ... Going into the next election theyll probably move it a little step more and associate the opposition leader with Kevin OLeary.

Premier Kathleen Wynne fired off the first open letter on Sunday, taking the former Dragons Den television personality to task for comments he had made about Ontarios auto sector noting it has seen nearly $2 billion in investment recently and corporate tax rate.

OLeary responded in kind Monday, slamming Wynne in an open letter of his own for Ontarios more than $300-billion debt and suggesting she call a snap election at a time when her popularity is extremely low.

Economic Development Minister Brad Duguid then followed up Monday, writing to OLeary that debt-to-GDP ratio is a more important figure, and Ontarios about 40 per cent is lower than Quebecs and not too much higher than some Atlantic Provinces.

OLeary also mentioned Ontarians anger over rising hydro rates in his open letter, so Energy Minister Glenn Thibeault wrote a missive Monday saying it was important to shut down coal plants and noting the government is trying to cut electricity bills.

John Duffy, a strategist who has advised Liberal campaigns, said the principal motive is to correct the record.

Kevin OLeary speaks with a very loud voice, he said. This isnt potshots from (Conservative leadership candidate) Brad Trost. This is Kevin OLeary. Hes famous. People listen to him.

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Ontario Liberals, O'Leary fire off open letters in heated exchange - Toronto Star

The Alberta Liberals are calling for a public inquiry into drug-related deaths of inmates at correctional facilities and remand centres.

Liberal Leader David Swann wants an inquiry to look at how drugs are screened and how to better prevent contraband from being smuggled into jails.

With the growing problem of opioid use such as fentanyl, Swann is asking for a review of how staff are trained in mental health and addictions.

"We have a very serious issue here that we need to get a handle on," Swann said.

The Liberals said they have filed a Freedom of Information request to find out the exact number of deaths in the past five years.

Liberal leader David Swann wants an inquiry to review of how staff are trained to deal with mental health and addictions.

In the first nine months of 2016, three inmates of the Edmonton Remand Centre died from what is believed to be drug overdoses. Another 23 were given naloxone a drug antidote to save them from suspected opioid overdoses.

"It's (opioids) now in powder form," said Swann, a doctor. "It could be easily inhaled by staff as well as inmates, inadvertently."

Swann,a former medical health officer, wrote a letter to the Fatality Review Board on Monday requesting an inquiry. He said he expects a response within four weeks.

The Liberals have also asked Alberta's ombudsman to review drug-related near-deaths in jails.

Read more:
Alberta Liberals ask for inquiry into drug-related deaths in jails - CBC.ca

Sure, on the one hand, lots of enthusiastic people. On the other, Madonna, Ashley Judd. Oy. Liberals and the press still dont get why they turn people off.

Just as Barack Obama drove conservatives crazy, Donald Trump seems to be pushing his adversaries to the brink of insanity.

During the celebration of the peaceful transfer of power this weekend, we were treated to some crude and irresponsible comments from liberal celebrities: Madonna told Trump voters, Fk you. Fk you, and added that she had thought a lot about blowing up the White House.

Ashley Judd continued the trend, reciting a poem called Nasty Woman that was written by a Tennessee teen. I didnt know devils could be resurrected, but I feel Hitler in these streets, the poem declared. In a tweet, Cher called Trump spokesman Sean Spicer a bitch.

Meanwhile, some less famous progressives were getting into the act. I will not stand idly by while a man named Donald Trumpand his team attempt to thrust us back into slavery, said Trump protester Eric Myers, according to The Washington Times.

Trump Derangement Syndrome is a real thing, and I suspect it will have counterproductive results for a party that might want to win back the White House someday (which would, presumably, require convincing at least some Trump voters to switch sides).

Heres the problem: The more Hollywood liberals produce condescending videos, the more pretentious and preachy celebs like Madonna (or replace her with Lena Dunham or Meryl Streep theyre basically interchangeable) lecture us at rallies and awards ceremonies, and the more protesters with signs and placards with the word p*ssy on themthe more I find myself liking Donald Trump.

And this is saying a lot. Ive dedicated the last couple of years to speaking out against Trumpism. But if his adversaries are so odious as to drive me (an infamous Trump critic) into thinking maybe he is the lesser of two evils (or, at least, the less annoying!)what do you think it is doing to working-class Americans?

Instead of appealing to middle America, progressives are using this opportunity to become more extreme and exclusive. A broad coalition of Americans concerned about the President Trumps temperament and character might have included a diverse alliance of voices. Heck, I might well have been among them. Instead, pro-life women were disinvited from what was ostensibly a womens parade.

The dirty little secret is that many on the left seem to believe that Trump was onto something. They believe that being nice and playing by the rules of civility and decency (where truth matters) are obsolete concepts. They believe that persuasion and bringing people together are just slogans.

So they fly their freak flag proudly and continue to alienate the working-class Americans who put Trump in the White House. It doesnt seem like a smart political strategy.

But progressives arent the only ones who risk turning off middle America by overreacting to Trumps flouting of political norms. The media also risk becoming an unwitting foil for Trump, andin the processfurther alienating themselves from his supporters.

From day one, a lot of Trump voters ignored our warnings about him because they had already tuned us out. They know that media bias isnt based primarily on how we cover a story, but rather, which stories we choose to cover.

We cover the massive crowds at a womens march but not the massive crowds at the March for Life. We raise Cain when an obscure GOP staffer posts something unflattering about President Obamas daughter, but we barely notice when writers and celebrities mock Trumps 10-year-old son. Both stories get covered, but one story drives the news cycle.

Lets take this past weekend as an example. If a liberal Democrat had been elected president and Republicans had staged a counter rally, how might that have been covered?

What if, instead of Madonna talking about blowing up the White House, it had been Ted Nugent saying that about an Obama White House? What if Scott Baio had tweeted about the Obama daughters? The coverage would have been ubiquitous and breathless.

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President Trumps ill-advised obsession with the size of his inaugural crowd might have been dismissed as unimportant if Obama had done something similar. Thats not to say it wouldnt have been covered, but it would have been relegated to second-tier status (Inaugural crowds obviously dont correlate with electoral success! we might have said) in favor of wall-to-wall coverage of the dangerous rhetoric being spewed at these protests.

Instead of historians and experts wringing their hands and clutching their pearls about the first post-truth president, we might have been treated to round-the-clock commentary on what sort of dangerous ramifications this violent rhetoric could have. This kind of rhetoric, we might have been told, is dangerous, if for no other reason than because it might inspire some dangerous person to try to take matters into his own hands.

After years of being subjected to selection bias with little recourse, a lot of Americans have caught on to the trick, even if they dont consciously realize what it is that bothers them. Theyre fed up with it. And now, they have alternatives and options to traditional media outlets. Just as they have tuned out Hollywood elites, they are tuning out the mainstream media, too.

And if, like me, you believe healthy opposition political movements make for a healthy democracyand that the Fourth Estate actually serves a valuable function when it comes to holding a president accountablethis disregard is dangerous.

And so, I have some unsolicited advice.

To liberals: My counsel is that engaging in irresponsible rhetoric, crazy conspiracy theories (like the birtherism paranoia that some were obsessed with during Obamas tenure), and protests is not the way to go. Republicans lost two presidential elections, and America became more divided. The end result was the election of Donald Trump. And while one could argue that Republicans wound up controlling all the levers of power, it would be a mistake to assume engaging in an irresponsible game of chicken where you end up nominating Kanye in four years would be politically prudent or productive.

To the press: For your own good, check your media bias. It seductively manifests in the form of selection bias (which stories you cover) and eye rolls. And while we must be vigilant against the repression of free speech, dont be reflexively defensive when Trump talks about our industry.

Yes, do fact check this new president and call him out for being wrong, but be careful not to make it personal or cross over to revenge or obsession, thereby reinforcing the existing negative perceptions about media bias.

These are mutually enforcing problems, observed The Washington Examiners Jim Antle. People rightly dont trust media, freeing Trumpies to spout nonsense. Avoid what New York Times columnist Ross Douthat refers to as the temptation of hysterical oppositionalism, a mirroring of Trumps own tabloid style and disregard for truth.

Something else for all of us to do: Spend some time thinking about people you might not normally rub elbows withpeople who go to church on Wednesday nights, people who drive pickups, and people who shop at Wal-Mart. No, you shouldnt gear all of your coverage toward these Americans; but yes, if you want to remain relevant and credible to them, you cant ignore them.

Realize that the guy who is struggling to find work in Michigan isnt necessarily going to be receptive to the insinuation that hes a sexual predator who has benefitted from white privilege, and yet, that is so often the message he receives (albeit subtly) when he turns on his television and listens to a lot of political panels.

America is facing some difficult times. What is needed is not revenge or paranoia, but rather, honorable leaders who earn the moral authority and high ground to summon us to our better angels. Resist the impulse to freak out and replicate Donald Trumps path.

If Donald Trump turns out to be as bad as you think he is, we are going to need a broad coalition of voices to vote him outand were going to need a trusted and respected media to hold him accountable.

Read more here:
Celebs Threatening Trump Doesnt Help - Daily Beast