The Indian budget every year has always been an eagerly awaited event. For many decades, the best minds in economics, finance, tax, business and industry throng the media house to analyze the provisions shared by the Financial Minister.
Sometimes major events completely disconnected may be data points for the plans of the different powers around the world. The challenge is to discern what purpose they serve? More critically, what are we moving towards?
When the US Ambassador threatened India's "Strategic Autonomy" policy over India's friendship with Russia - much more than meets the eye was at stake. Let us unpack how the Ukraine war has fundamentally changed the US and the world. And why are we here anyway?
A non-profit conveniently named Opening Day Foundationregistered in Texas with the two Trump sons as the Directors is selling a sort of inauguration package deal for a million dollars. The money they say will go to charities involved in “conservation” but no specifics have yet been shared. This has come out of an investigation by Center for Public Integrity.
Texas Registered Nonprofit
So what do you receive in this million dollar package?
a “private reception and photo opportunity for 16 guests with President Donald J. Trump,”
a “multi-day hunting and/or fishing excursion for 4 guests with Donald Trump, Jr. and/or Eric Trump, and team,” as well as tickets to other events and
“autographed guitars by an Opening Day 2017 performer.”
You can check the details of the packages in the brochure here and see what the different amounts of “donation” (for dummies) / Investment (for lay people) gets you:
Packages for Trump’s Inauguration
The rub is that you and I will never know who came for the “party” and who bought this package because by law nonprofits are not required to share the names or details of their “donors”.
A Center for Public Integrity review of Texas incorporation records found the Opening Day Foundation was created less than a week ago, on Dec. 14. Unlike political committees, such nonprofits aren’t required by law to reveal their donors, allowing sponsors to write seven-figure checks for access to the president while staying anonymous, if they choose.
This nonprofit was set on Dec 14, less than a week back.
Now even if you genuinely believe that there are great and altruistic charities for which Trump and his kids will indeed contribute the proceeds to, this whole exercise is still nauseating at many levels.
“This is problematic on so many levels,” said Larry Noble, the general counsel of the Campaign Legal Center, a nonpartisan campaign reform organization. “This is Donald Trump and the Trump family using a brand new organization to raise $1 million contributions for a vague goal of giving money to conservation charities, which seems a way of basically just selling influence and selling the ability to meet with the president.”
At the most basic level it is Selling Access to the US President For a Fee! That in itself is unheard of in any democracy. This is just the beginning of the Presidency for Trump and it is already being compromised by the family to build wealth for themselves. What will and can happen further is anyone’s guess.
I can’t help but remember the Obama’s roast of Trump at the White House Correspondents dinner 5 years ago. He showed a picture of how the White House may look like if Trump ever came in. He may have been correct! Check it out for yourself.
When the US Ambassador threatened India's "Strategic Autonomy" policy over India's friendship with Russia - much more than meets the eye was at stake. Let us unpack how the Ukraine war has fundamentally changed the US and the world. And why are we here anyway?
The story of Jeffrey Epstein is making waves after the case documents have been opened up. Its sleazy content is entertaining. But is that the real story? Power, sex trafficking and espionage - its all there.
The Department of Justice indictment on Pannun, the high-profile US officials' visits, and strange geopolitical realignments paints an intriguing picture. We will analyze all the events and actions to make sense.
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