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Updated March 9, 2021 at 4:10 PM ET

The latest Trump-versus-The-Establishment skirmish is over one of the things couples fight about most.

Money.

"No more money for RINOS," former President Donald Trump said in a statement Monday night, using the acronym for "Republicans In Name Only," which is what conservatives call Republicans they deem not sufficiently conservative. "They do nothing but hurt the Republican Party and our great voting basethey will never lead us to Greatness. Send your donation to Save America PAC at DonaldJTrump.com. We will bring it all back stronger than ever before!"

Trump's appeal follows a similar one he made last month at the Conservative Political Action Conference, when he said, "There's only one way to contribute to our efforts."

And the latest one came after a lawyer for his political action committee on Friday sent a "cease-and-desist" letter to the Republican National Committee, and to other party committees tasked with electing Republicans to the House and Senate, demanding they stop using the former president's name and likeness to raise funds. Politico first reported news of the letter.

RNC lawyers wrote back, saying the organization has "every right" to use a public figure's likeness. NPR was able to view the contents of the letter. It notes RNC Chair Ronna McDaniel's "close relationship" to Trump and that she moved quickly to quash the beef, reaching out to the former president this weekend.

"I'm not a lawyer, but I would assume stopping the RNC from using his image/name is totally unenforceable since he's a public person," Alex Conant, who was an RNC press secretary and worked on the presidential campaigns of former Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty and Florida Sen. Marco Rubio, told NPR.

"We raised a lot of money off [of former President Barack] Obama, and he never gave us permission. But if he [Trump] wants to help Republicans win back Congress, he'll help the RNC raise money however he can."

The RNC letter also notes that during McDaniel and Trump's conversation, "Trump reaffirmed to her over the weekend that he approves of the RNC's current use of his name in fundraising and other materials, including for our upcoming donor retreat event at Palm Beach at which we look forward to him participating."

The Washington Post reported that the RNC decided to move a portion of the April donor event to Trump's Mar-a-Lago property. Trump's club will be paid for it.

The RNC letter also said it would seek Trump's "prior approval" for future materials.

Those close to Trump did not immediately respond to requests to comment.

It's pretty standard for political parties to use the image or words of popular and powerful people to try to raise money and help elect people from that party. But it appears to chafe Trump when anyone uses his name or image and he doesn't see a direct benefit. After all, much of the money he made before becoming president was from licensing his name to adorn the sides of buildings or properties he didn't own.

The tension between the RNC and outside political groups is not a new one, but Trump's singular popularity with rank-and-file voters presents a unique danger to the party's ability to raise money, if Trump isn't on board. Both major parties have come to increasingly rely on small donors, because of the ease of donating online, and this episode shows the grip Trump retains on them and that he's willing to use that leverage when it suits him.

"It shouldn't be surprising to anyone," said Doug Heye, who was communications director at the RNC at the beginning of the Obama presidency and is no fan of Trump. "We've known that Trump's loyalty is to himself not only first and foremost, but only. We've seen that play out any time anyone has said anything critical."

Heye noted the influence the former president has over McDaniel, who used to include her maiden name: Romney. She is Utah Sen. Mitt Romney's niece.

"Ronna McDaniel basically dropped her maiden name for the guy. She's been fiercely loyal to Trump, always defended him, never been critical, and this is the thanks you get. It says to me Trump doesn't give points, he only takes them away one at a time."

"What this really is about is control," said Matt Gorman, former communications director at the National Republican Congressional Committee, one of the committees that received the cease-and-desist letter from Trump's attorney. "He [Trump] doesn't have the political infrastructure of the RNC and others at his beck and call that he did three months ago as president."

How political parties spend the money they raise

Outside of Washington, D.C., what the national political committees actually do is likely something of a mystery. But they do a lot for candidates and state parties.

For example, they help fund state parties, put money into local get-out-the-vote efforts and provide parties and candidates across the country with access to sophisticated data programs that include voter contact files, from which they can identify high- and low-propensity voters in their districts and track contacts with them.

Trump's PAC doesn't have that ability, and in recent months, he doesn't have a very good track record of spending the kind of money necessary for candidates to win.

As of a month before January's Georgia Senate runoffs, for example, his PAC had kept most of the money it had raised, despite fundraising appeals saying the money was needed to win the races and "STOP Socialist Dems."

The RNC, on the other hand, spent some $20 million in the races, with only a small amount donated from Save America PAC, which didn't heavily play in advertising either something outside groups tend to do to support candidates.

Democrats went on to win both races and control of the U.S. Senate.

"The reality is this is going to be money Donald Trump can do whatever he wants with, without spending his own money and could basically be paying his lawyer bills," Heye said.

"Donald Trump basically wants a slush fund he can control. At the RNC, he can't control it. Yes, it is basically Trump's party still, and that includes state party chairs and Republican National Committee members, but the RNC chair doesn't serve at the pleasure of Trump anymore. She works more immediately for the 168 [committee members], and there is a separation there."

Part of why Trump likely wants that control, however, is because he hasn't always liked the kinds of candidates the establishment committees have supported. He wants Republicans who have crossed him those like Wyoming Rep. Liz Cheney, who voted for his impeachment out of the party.

The priority for the committees, though, is to win as many seats as possible. That's the fundamental tension between Trump and the political professionals who have been on and around campaigns for Republicans for decades.

When Trump took office, Republicans also controlled both the House and Senate. By the time he left, however, they had lost both. To get back on track, Trump and the party committees have to be on the same page.

"Trump signing emails for anyone other than his own campaign was rare," Gorman said. "However, practically every candidate and committee out there invokes his name. If he is the de facto leader of the party, which he claims to be, he should welcome this. He should view it as a sign of strength. It's a way to keep the grassroots energized in his name while he is not in the spotlight."

Original post:
'No More Money For RINOs': How Trump's Fight With The GOP Is All About Control - Wyoming Public Media

The demonstrators quickly sprayed vapor from fire extinguishers as they retreated a tactic widely used to smother tear gas and create a vapour screen that makes it harder for police to pursue or shoot demonstrators.

There were also reports of injuries from live rounds and rubber bullets in other parts of Yangon, including Insein district, where billows of black smoke could be seen after security forces reportedly set roadblocks on fire.

In a new tactic, anti-coup demonstrators used the cover of darkness to hold mass candlelight vigils Saturday and Sunday nights in a Yangon commercial area that was usually the scene of their daytime protests. After-dark rallies were also held in Mandalay and elsewhere.

The protest movement has been grounded in non-violent civil disobedience from the start, with marches and general strikes among its main features. But some protesters have advocated stronger, more agile methods of self-defense such as holding small rallies that are quick to disband and reunite, and devising cover from fire extinguishers and billowing laundry.

On Saturday, the civilian leader of Myanmar's government in hiding vowed to continue supporting a revolution to oust the military leaders who seized power in the Feb. 1 coup. Mahn Win Khaing Than, who was named the acting vice president by Myanmar's ousted lawmakers and is a member of deposed leader Aung San Suu Kyi's political party, addressed the public for the first time since the coup.

This is the darkest moment of the nation and the moment that the dawn is close, he said in a video posted on the shadow government's website and social media.

In order to form a federal democracy, which all ethnic brothers who have been suffering various kinds of oppressions from the dictatorship for decades really desired, this revolution is the chance for us to put our efforts together," he said.

He added: We will never give up to an unjust military, but we will carve our future together with our united power. Our mission must be accomplished.

At the end of the message, he flashed the three-finger salute that has become a symbol of resistance to the military rulers.

The aid group's tally of Sunday's victims appeared to raise beyond 100 the number of civilians killed by security forces since the coup. Confirmation is nearly impossible in the country due to the security situation and a crackdown on independent media, but various groups have carefully compiled tallies with similar figures.

The actual death toll is likely higher, as police apparently seized some bodies, and some victims have had serious gunshot wounds that medical staff at makeshift clinics would be hard-pressed to treat. Many hospitals are occupied by security forces, and as a result are boycotted by medical personnel and shunned by protesters.

Police have also aggressively patrolled residential neighborhoods at night, firing into the air and setting off stun grenades as an intimidation tactic. They have also taken people from their homes in targeted raids with minimal resistance. In at least two known cases, the detainees died in custody within hours of being hauled away.

Read the original post:
Martial law imposed in parts of Myanmar city as deaths rise - National Herald

The redevelopment of the SA Athletics Stadium will create 25 jobs and includes synthetic track replacement, security and access control system upgrades, universal design internal toilet upgrades, new external change room/toilet facilities and carpark upgrades.

This will add to the State Governments investment of $2.3 million which saw LED tower lights installed at the stadium last year.

Minister for Recreation, Sport and Racing, Corey Wingard, said it was crucial one of the states most important pieces of sporting infrastructure be updated in order to host of variety of events and athletes.

The Marshall Governments State Sport & Recreation Infrastructure Plan 2020-40 identified the SA Athletics Stadium as one of the state facilities which required significant investment for renewal and upgrade works, Minister Wingard said.

More than 250,000 people utilise the SA Athletics Stadium every year for high-performance training, athletics events, soccer games and hundreds of school carnivals and sports days.

Upgrading the stadium will create a positive experience for all participants at the venue and set them up for success whether it be encouraging junior athletes to continue being physically active or giving elite athletes a competitive edge.

Ensuring everyone in our state has access to high quality sporting infrastructure is one of the outcomes we identified in our Game On initiative to get South Australians moving.

Athletics SA President Jane Russo said it was an exciting time for athletics in South Australia, with funding being announced on the back of another major athletics infrastructure project being completed.

This funding will bring the SA Athletics Stadium up to a modern standard and make South Australia more competitive on the national stage, Ms Russo said.

With the brand new Bridgestone Athletics Centre also set to open shortly, athletics has never been in a better position in South Australia to support continued growth in the sport and be accessible to all.

This would not have been possible without the support of the State Government.

The SA Athletics Stadium redevelopment forms part of a vision to revitalise the Mile End Sports Precinct where construction on the Netball SA Stadium stage 1 project is nearing completion.

Since March 2018, the Marshall Government has invested almost $198 million in South Australian sport and recreation with an additional $160 million to be spent under the State Sport and Recreation Infrastructure Plan package.

Construction works on the SA Athletics Stadium are expected to commence in 2021, with an estimated completion date of the track by February 2022.

Read more here:
$6 million announced to keep athletes on track - Premier of South Australia

Myponga Reservoir on the Fleurieu Peninsula will allow on-water access for the first time including fishing and kayaking from March 28, adding to the current land-based recreational activities available such as walking and cycling.

Warren Reservoir near the Barossa Valley, which is already available for on-water access, will have revitalised facilities including an expanded carpark, new toilets, picnic area and wheelchair access ramp linked to the kayak launch area.

Minister for Environment and Water David Speirs said the two reservoirs are part of the Marshall Liberal Governments Opening up our Reservoirs policy which aims to create new open, green space for people to explore, drive increased tourism and create jobs.

Our reservoirs are a fantastic opportunity to improve recreational options across South Australia and to encourage people to get out and explore the great outdoors, Minister Speirs said.

To have improved access to both Myponga and Warren reservoirs just in time for Easter will be a timely boost for the Fleurieu Peninsula and Barossa Valley communities.

For far too long our reservoirs have been locked away and the Marshall Liberal Government is opening the gates to create new open, green space for people to explore.

More than 150,000 people have visited our reservoirs since we started opening them for recreational access and to be able to offer on-water access at Myponga will attract a whole new range of visitors to the region.

The increase in visitor numbers has been a big boost to our regional economies and businesses in Myponga and the Barossa Valley have reported a significant upturn in activity.

To have South Australians be able to go out on a kayak or drop a line for fishing at reservoirs across our state is an opportunity which will have significant environmental, social and economic benefits for generations to come.

The Marshall Liberal Government is investing a record $130 million across South Australias parks to boost nature-based tourism, create local jobs and improve conservation.

Protecting the health and quality of our drinking water supplies remains the priority and this has been possible thanks to improved water treatment plants, detailed water quality risk assessments, as well as increased site security and water quality control measures.

Signage at reservoir reserves clearly explain the dos and donts and its important all visitors to these places observe these simple rules while having a fun day.

More information about recreational access at South Australias reservoir reserves including conditions of entry can be found at reservoirs.sa.gov.au.

Myponga Reservoir Reserve is open for land-based recreational activities and shoreline fishing is also available with a permit. On-water access for kayaking available from 28 March 2021.

Bundaleer and South Para reservoir reserves are open for fishing, kayaking, walking, and cycling.

Hope Valley Reservoir Reserve is open for land-based activities including walking, running, cycling, and picnicking.

Happy Valley Reservoir Reserve will offer kayaking, fishing, walking, and cycling opportunities by the end of this year.

Read the original here:
Improved reservoir access just in time for Easter - Premier of South Australia

But viewing protests in the country receiving support from outside as synchronised acts is not necessarily or always an act of wisdom. With globalisation of the economy and extreme extraction of profit and natural resources, states are increasingly seen as siding with Capital and with powerful capitalists. It is easy to see why popular and individual voices are raised against such bias and inequality.

It is when the state fails to be responsive to protests and people that protests draw international attention and support. Support for Indian farmers have come from not just farmers in the US, Canada and Australia but also from the British Parliament and one of the most progressive Hollywood actresses, Susan Sarandon.

Sarandon, it is worth pointing out, has been the face of demands for raising daily minimum wages for American women. But she also criticised Hillary Clinton, with whom she had a close rapport, for waging war across the globe. If her support to Indian farmers is labelled as her opposition to the Indian Government or the ruling party, the media advisors to the government need to be changed.

Soros and his Open Society came up in eastern and central Europe after totalitarian communist governments collapsed in 1989. Soros and his Foundation supported the minorities and the persecuted, Jewish, Roma and others. His cause was seen as aligned with the larger American goal of freedom and his investment in such projects linked to globalisation of capital.

The Central European University which he set up has done enormous work in creating a new rung of an Eastern European, English- speaking elite committed to some sort of universal academic ethos. It was a praiseworthy exercise.

One may well have reservations about ulterior financial motives, i.e., fostering globalisation, but his critique of human rights violations in India by themselves do not call for a vilification campaign based on what he allegedly encouraged in central and eastern Europe and where of late he has been vilified.

Continued here:
Blaming others for our own failures - National Herald