A Note To Readers
The Feature this week focuses on the remarkable presentation by President Trump at the Davos Economic Forum, which, perhaps shocking many, the president, in the last eight minutes of his speech, he invokes the Renaissance idea of human creativity as the driver for human progress and our ability to solve problems. Describing the building of the magnificent cathedral of Florence, Italy, as an example, Trump stated that even though when that project began in the 13th century no one knew how the cathedral’s great dome could be built, yet the city officials proceeded, knowing that that problem would be solved. And it was 140 years later.
Great infrastructure projects are like that. It was said that building the Transcontinental Railway in the 1860s was impossible; that building the Grand Coulee Dam was impossible. And I am sure, at least for those of you who are old enough, can remember hearing that putting a human on the Moon was impossible.
The Rest of This Week’s Report
While Los Angeles and the Bay Area seem to have received a lot of rain so far this winter, the story is a little different for the rest of the state, especially the Sierras. And the Northwest got some snow.
Water in California is always the subject of conflict, discussion, debate, plans and, in general, frustration. The governor’s just announced Draft Water Resilience Portfolio continues that tiring routine. Attempting to please everyone and not offend any– usually results in not pleasing anyone and offending everyone. We report on the governor’s plan.
There are a few new developments in the PG&E bankruptcy proceedings that are worth noting, which you will find under the title, “PG&E, Once Again,” below.
The President spoke before the national conference of the American Farm Bureau this week, and our coverage includes discussion of the trade deals with China and the new one with Canada and Mexico.
“If the Wall Street Journal’s report on Jan. 14 was accurate, officials of the Federal Reserve are ‘considering’ breaking the law (the Federal Reserve Act) to print large amounts of new money and pump it directly, daily, into the super-speculative financial derivatives market, like using a military-grade flamethrower to raise a hot-air balloon.” So begins our section on the economy and the financial system.
Finally comes our Feature with the appropriate sub-title: “Trump Slams Malthusians, Promotes Creativity & Growth.”
