Senator and former-professional comedian Al Franken built his SNL career around skits in which he was depicted as a sexually ambiguous, sexually deviate weirdo. It is, therefore, not surprising that he would have groped a sleeping women as part of an immature, thoughtless joke nor is it surprising that a women would have been offended by an unwanted kiss from him. Similarly, it is not surprising that former Kiss bassist Gene Simmons, who is said to have had sex with over 10, 000 women, would engage in the “lewd” acts that resulted in his lifetime ban from Fox News. It is intellectually dishonest to think otherwise. It also intellectually dishonest to ignore the sexual misconduct of high-profile figures like Bill Clinton, George H.W. Bush, and Donald Trump for the convenience of politics and personal preferences.
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The Hollywood sex revelations shine a light on an issue that has resulted in the victimization of countless individuals. To combat widespread sexual misconduct and assault, it is necessary to understand those responsible. It is necessary to understand what makes a sexual predator a sexual predator. A predator on the hunt will deploy an array of tactics and deceptions to acquire their target. A predator will do anything to get its prey. By this qualification alone, most men and teenage boys, as well as many women and girls, would be considered sexual predators. Obviously, the sexual predators who cause their victims harm are the abusive sexual predators whose actions must be confronted.
The Harvey Weinstein sex revelations, as well as those involving high profile news figures like Roger Ailes, seem to have inspired victims of others influential elites, including Kevin Spacey and Louis CK, to go public. As the accusations against a mounting number of individuals continues to grow, these budding Hollywood sex revelations have the potential to upend the entertainment industry, reform elitist perceptions of the less affluent, and resculpt cultural views on sex. The widespread mistreatment of women and general indecency of these highly influential figures could be enough to spark a cultural revolution. A powerful movement is coalescing around the victims of sexual misconduct and assault. Like all forms of power, however, the power to hold sexual predators accountable can be wasted and misused.
GDP and trade are the two key components to economic health according to modern conventional wisdom. A rapidly rising Gross Domestic Product, after all, ensures the growing needs of a nation can be met while trade is the easiest way to increase demand for the goods and services of a country. As Asia has the largest population, i.e. consumer base, and greatest potential for economic growth, expanded trade between Asia’s neighbors and the Trump Administration’s abandonment of free trade agreements continue to alarm trade advocates. With Trump’s five-nation Asia tour placing the President in the role of diplomat and trade representative, these advocates are likely hoping the Trump Administration will be inspired to join the free trade movement. There is, however, a far more constructive public policy trade initiative that would better align with the President’s views on trade.
China is a rising global power that strives to overtake the United States as the world’s hegemonic superpower. The post World War II era was defined by a bipolar world order dominated by the US and Soviet Union that transformed into a monopolar order dominated by the US following the Cold War. Since then, it has steadily morphed into a multipolar world order where regional powers enjoy growing influence on the global stage. In accordance, relative US influence has declined while China’s growing wealth and military might has allowed it to expand its relative influence. There is great debate as to whether or not China can sustain its rise, especially since China relies heavily on trade and the ruling Communist Party faces growing civil discontent, but China’s role as a regional power is more interesting.
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April 2020
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