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KrAZ Trucks / December 5, 2016 The Christmas and New Year holidays are on the horizon and everybody young and old are waiting for their favorite winter holiday. Contributing to the occasion, a new KrAZ model 6446 all-wheel-drive tractor, popular with Ukraine’s logging industry, was chosen to retrieve an 86-year-old 26-meter-tall fir tree from the Ivano-Frankovsk region for public display in the center of Sofiyskaya Square in Kiev where holiday celebrations will take place. A KrAZ-255B crane truck, the legendary predecessor to the 6446, supported the tree’s mounting. Few heavy trucks are capable of traveling deep into the forest to retrieve such a tree, but the 6x6 model 6446 was easily up to the task with its famous off road credentials. The 6446, with a gross combination weight rating of 34 metric tons both on and off road, excels in forestry applications. Very soon, the huge tree will be decorated with thousands of decorations made in Yavorov, and wrapped with 3 kilometers of lighting. The Christmas tree opening will take place on Monday, December 19, on the day of St. Nicholas. .

Hino Trucks Press Release / November 25, 2016 “We will be aiming to win our 8th straight championship in our class with a 1-2 finish, and to join the group of leading finishers in the overall trucks category.” Team holds event announcing entry in Dakar Rally 2017. .

Owner/Driver / December 9, 2016 The best photos and coverage from Victoria's Castlemaine Truck Show held in November The 2016 Castlemaine Truck Show proved once again why it is the premier Victorian truck show. Held at the Campbell Creek recreation reserve on November 19-20, the show attracted a wide variety of trucks from brand new trucks, customised trucks, working trucks and vintage trucks. One of the beauties of the show is its laid back atmosphere with many arriving on Friday afternoon and setting up camp for the weekend. It’s a friendly and welcoming crowd with many regulars attending year after year. The Rotary Club has now held 28 truck shows and together with other local service clubs and organisations provided everything that is needed for a great weekend. The winner of the Rig of the Day on Saturday was Troy McLean with his Kenworth T908. Sunday is the big day commencing with a truckies’ breakfast and then the convoy through Castlemaine. The main street is lined with residents and the sounds of truck horns can be heard all over the district. As crowd numbers grew, so did the intense heat when the sun came out, thankfully there were some cloudy patches during the day. There were raffles over both days with a bar fridge on offer and an auction on Sunday afternoon. The standard of presentation of trucks was excellent and as Castlemaine is known as a truck town, the American marquees had new trucks on display. The winner of Truck of the Show was Leo Kelly and his impeccably restored W model Kenworth. Once again Castlemaine put on a top show, it’s a big effort but the rewards are great with Rotary using the raised $9,965 to assist with valuable community causes. Photo gallery - https://www.ownerdriver.com.au/events-news/1612/castlemaine-truck-show-2016

Electric Trucking Charges Up The Wall Street Journal / December 8, 2016 In a pilot project, vehicles equipped with ‘receiving coils’ will draw power from another coil buried in the road in Colorado Officials in Colorado are planning a public-road test of battery-charging technology capable of powering electric trucks while they drive. In the pilot project, believed to be the first of its kind in the U.S., vehicles equipped with “receiving coils” will draw power from another coil buried in the road. The Colorado Transportation Department and infrastructure developer Aecom Inc. are scouting potential sites, including busy roads near Denver International Airport, with a goal of launching in 2018. Heavy-duty electric trucks remain a rare sight on highways, in part because they need to make frequent stops to recharge and must carry heavy, expensive batteries. The pilot’s developers say their goal is to extend the distances electric trucks can drive and reduce the bulkiness of in-vehicle batteries. “It’s one of those, ‘if you build it, they will come’ things,” said Peter Kozinski, director of Colorado’s RoadX program, a state fund aimed at using new technologies to ease congestion and improve road safety. Under terms reached earlier this week, RoadX will pay Aecom $200,000 to help identify a location for the pilot, design the in-motion charging grid and find electric-truck partners to participate in the testing phase. They will license the technology from researchers with the Sustainable Electrified Transportation Research Center, or SELECT, at Utah State University, who have been conducting their own tests with a bus on a closed loop track. The Colorado project is slated to begin construction by the end of 2017 and start testing by the end of 2018. Data collected during the testing phase will provide insight into how well the technology works under real-world conditions, the researchers said. Mr. Kozinski said they are considering several sites in Denver for the project, including an area near the airport with heavy freight traffic. The Colorado pilot will focus on freight-moving vehicles because they emit the most pollution and supporting their shift to electric power could have a big impact on air quality, the developers said. The charging equipment can either be built into new trucks or affixed to electric vehicles as a retrofit, but it isn’t cheap, experts say. Nor is the technology and construction needed to outfit miles of roadway. “The cost of retrofitting roads around the country, even if only one lane, would take a big effort and it probably would be pretty expensive,” said Lewis Fulton, director of the Sustainable Transportation Energy Pathways program at the University of California, Davis. Still, he added, “it can work.” Mr. Fulton said other groups around the world are testing different ways to make electric vehicles competitive with conventional cars and trucks. Some projects have tested stationary wireless charging for passenger buses. A group in Southern California is building a trolley-like system developed by Siemens AG that relies on overhead electric wires to power freight trucks while they move.

Commercial Motor / December 9, 2016 Volvo Group UK has been fined £900,000 (US$1,132,794) after an employee fell and suffered head injuries whilst repairing a truck cab at an Enfield, London site. In September 2015 a man working for Volvo Truck and Bus Centre London was knocked unconscious after he fell from a step ladder and hit his head. He was put into a medically-induced coma for two weeks to help manage the swelling on his brain. The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) said he suffered “life changing” injuries and has been unable to return to work since. An HSE investigation found that the step ladder was damaged and its anti-slip feet were worn. The ladder was not Volvo property and had not been checked to see if it was suitable for use. The HSE said that at the time of the incident the company had not trained its staff to select, inspect and use equipment suitable for working at height. Volvo Group UK pleaded guilty to breaching the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 at Westminster Magistrates’ Court on 30 November. It was fined £900,000 and must pay £5,820.28 in costs and a £150 victim surcharge. The company said it expressed “deep regret” to the court for the failures which led to the incident and the impact it had on the employee and his family. It said in a statement: “Since the incident occurred, all parts of the business have been challenged to review the use of ladders and step-ladders and implement procedures and training to ensure safe working practices are carried out, including the use of safe access equipment. “The court was satisfied that arrangements had been and continued to be made to provide for the employee affected by the accident, by both the company and its insurers, and therefore the court made no order for compensation. “Volvo Group UK received full credit from the court for its submission of an early guilty plea and the fact that the company had co-operated fully with the Health and Safety Executive.”

Commercial Motor TV - sponsored by DAF Trucks / December 9, 2016 .

MAN Truck & Bus Press Release / December 9, 2016 .

Navistar opens new reconditioning center in Melrose Park, Ill. Truck News / December 9, 2016 Marking a new chapter for its Diamond Renewal certified brand of used International trucks, Navistar held the grand opening of the company’s Used Truck Reconditioning Center in Melrose Park, Ill. The facility replaces the now closed Indianapolis Center and will act as Navistar’s new home for its 180-plus point inspection and servicing center, which examines the Diamond Renewal reconditioning process to ensure a consistent product is available to all International dealers and the company’s own 15 used truck sales centers. “One of the greatest advantages of a centralized Reconditioning Center is the ability to work hand-in-hand with the on-site product engineering and prototype team in order to fully understand product durability and use this knowledge to provide the highest level of service to our customers.” said Jeff Heichel, vice-president of used truck operations for Navistar. The Melrose Park location is fully scalable to meet demands and includes a wash bay, detailing and paint booth, welding room and a parts storage area. “We worked with the Local UAW to structure a competitive agreement which facilitated the work coming to Melrose,” said Kevin Turner, director of reconditioning operations for used truck organization with Navistar. “I’m very proud of our team for completing the move in record time and in line with Navistar’s lean principles.” The company plans to relocate its nearby International Used Truck Sales Center to the Melrose Park facility in the New Year.

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Heavy Duty Trucking / December 8, 2016 Westport has gained approval from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to equip 2017-model-year Ford vehicles with its WiNG Power System that enables the vehicles to run compressed natural gas (CNG) or liquid propane gas (LPG), also known as propane autogas. Vancouver, B.C.-based Westport gained approval for the F-150 5.0L CNG and LPG, Transit 3.7L CNG, F-450/F-550/F-650/F-750/F-59 6.8L CNG, and E-450 6.8L CNG. Westport has also streamlined the supply chain through a Ford-approved ship-through process for the F-150, F-250, F-350, and Transit. Westport has been certified under Ford's Qualified Vehicle Modifier (QVM) program that allows the vehicles to retain their factory warranties after the modification. Related reading - http://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/47841-chevrolet-gmc-increase-alternative-fuel-fleet-offerings/#comment-353606

Heavy Duty Trucking / December 9, 2016 The Colorado State Department of Transportation is working with private partners to explore the development of an energy-transfer highway segment. The project will allow real-world testing of a stretch of an electric grid embedded in a stretch of highway that transfers electricity to electric-powered trucks through a coil transmission and reception system. Much like a cell phone charging surface commonly used today, the project would use powerful energy coils to transmit electric power upwards and into energy receiving coils mounted on the underside of trucks traveling in the dedicated energy-transfer lane. Peter Kozinski is director of CDOT’s RoadX program - a forward-looking initiative that seeks out new, energy-efficient transportation technologies. He says the agency has been working with AECOM, a Los Angeles-based infrastructure builder for approximately 8 months to flesh out the beginning stages of the pilot program. “It is tremendous to see this leadership by Michigan which will accelerate progress across the nation. We are actively working with Michigan to develop our plan for initial and ongoing platooning operations in the state,” said Steve Boyd, Peloton’s VP of external affairs. “Our plan includes early activities to promote public awareness on the key role of professional drivers in our truck platooning system and the safety, efficiency and mobility benefits that this technology provides to fleets and the public.” “We feel the vehicle of the future will be electrically powered,” Kozinski said, “and yet the cost of battery packs, combined with range anxiety concerns are real barriers to widespread acceptance of this technology. Our goal with this project is to determine if this power grid and energy transfer system can work in real-world driving conditions.” Andrew Liu, vice president, AECOM Ventures said his company is a progressive, and forward-thinking road building and infrastructure construction firm that is committed to helping the United States move its road network into the 21st Century. “We’re already seeing the rise of all-electric vehicles and autonomous vehicles,” Liu said. “But what we have today are increasingly smart vehicles driving on dumb roads. And we want to help change that.” According to Liu, AECOM has been working with the Sustainable Electrified Transportation Research Center, (SELECT) at Utah State University on related projects that have shown the potential for an energy-transfer roadway. “SELECT has been working on static charging pads that can wirelessly transfer energy to city buses,” Liu explained. “We started talking to them about the feasibility of charging an electric vehicle while it is in motion. They responded by developing a ¼-mile closed loop track that can charge buses while they drive. And this is the basis for our pilot program with RoadX and Colorado DOT.” Currently, Liu says the SELECT closed loop track can charge buses moving between 35 to 40 mph with an efficiency rate between 85 and 95% transmitted by coils ranging from 6 to 8 feet in diameter. He says further work is being done now to determine if that high energy transfer rate can be sustained at higher speeds and in varying weather conditions, including rain and snow. Kozinski says currently RoadX and AECOM are in the preliminary stages of the project and hope to identify additional OEM, technology, and fleet partners, as well as identify the criteria for a test highway and optimal locations for the roadway. “We hope to have those goals accomplished in the next 6 to 8 months, and begin planning for actual construction to begin something in early 2018,” he said. Additionally, Kozinski says the project must overcome challenges including maintaining a consistent distance between transmitting and receiving energy coils to ensure efficient transmission of electricity as well as determining the environmental impact of the technology. “We can’t have a bunny hopping onto one of these coils and getting zapped,” he noted. Similarly, Liu says AECOM is working with its global partners to identify new technologies and procedures that might benefit the energy-transfer lane project as well as seeking 3 to 5 additional partner cities elsewhere in the country to conduct further studies. “Key areas of interest for us include “Key areas of interest for us include heavily congested urban areas as well as freight corridors,” he said. “We’re also looking to hear from other OEMs and interested parties. We view this as an open invitation for people, companies and organizations to get involved. Our feeling is the more people we have involved, the more successful this project will be.” Related reading - http://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/47935-scania-tests-fast-wireless-charging-in-urban-traffic/

Michigan Law Opens a Door for Platooning Heavy Duty Trucking / December 9, 2016 Michigan Gov. Rick Snyder (R) has signed S.B. 995 into law on Dec. 9, authorizing electronically coordinated truck platooning on Michigan roads by creating an exception to the state’s minimum following distance for commercial vehicles. Originally there was a minimum of 500 feet of following distance required by commercial vehicles, which presented a hindrance to testing and implementing truck platooning technology that requires at least two vehicles to follow closely. Using technology to link two vehicles together, a platooning truck can respond to braking by the lead truck in 10 milliseconds, bypassing a lag in driver perception and reaction time. “We are committed to advancing safety and efficiency in commercial trucking operations and accelerating the economic benefits that result from improving the movement of goods,” said Kirk Steudle, director of the Michigan Department of Transportation. “Michigan is proud to be a leader in paving the way for the deployment and growth of vehicle platooning technologies.” Connected and automated vehicle technology company Peloton applauded Michigan’s decision to support platooning technology calling it a “landmark law.” “Michigan now leads the nation in the rollout of commercial truck platooning,” said Josh Switkes, CEO of Peloton Technology. “We are proud to be working with forward-looking state leaders like those in Michigan who prioritize prudent, driver-assistive truck automation systems that will provide strong economic benefits and improve the safe, efficient movement of goods." Under the new law, Michigan DOT and State Police will review plans submitted by the operators of platoons before vehicles are allowed to use the technology on state roads. The law also requires that truck platoons allow access for other vehicles to move safely between platooning trucks. Drivers holding a valid commercial driver’s license must be behind the wheel of every truck in a platoon. Peloton is in a partnership with suppliers and truck manufacturers to create production-level platooning technology. While 11 other states have approved testing and trial activity, Michigan is the first state to support the deployment of platooning in commercial fleet operations. The company is currently preparing a plan for platooning operation to submit to the State of Michigan as required by the new law. “It is tremendous to see this leadership by Michigan which will accelerate progress across the nation. We are actively working with Michigan to develop our plan for initial and ongoing platooning operations in the state,” said Steve Boyd, Peloton’s VP of external affairs. “Our plan includes early activities to promote public awareness on the key role of professional drivers in our truck platooning system and the safety, efficiency and mobility benefits that this technology provides to fleets and the public.”

Automotive News / December 11, 2016 Chevrolet's new nine-speed automatic transmission illustrates the difficulty of eking out fuel economy improvements as automakers work to meet increasingly stringent fuel efficiency standards. Launched in the Chevrolet Malibu in September, the nine-speed, co-developed with Ford Motor Co., delivers just 1 mpg more in highway driving than the eight-speed automatic it replaces -- up to 33 mpg in the 2017 Malibu from 32 in the 2016 version. General Motors plans to use the gearbox in 10 models across its brands by the end of next year. GM executives say the transmission adds refinement over the outgoing six- and eight-speeds, giving vehicles a premium feel. GM will also save money by using its own transmission. In the Malibu, for instance, GM bought the outgoing eight-speed automatic from Aisin AW Co. "The big goal when working with internal combustion engines is to keep the engine in the optimal operating position," said Chris Meagher, GM's executive director of electrical hardware engineering. He said the transmission's shorter steps result in smoother shifts. The next GM vehicles to get the nine-speed are the 2017 Cruze compact and 2018 Equinox. Ford has not announced which vehicles will use Ford's version of the nine-speed, said Ford spokesman Craig Von Essen. Related reading.....the Ford-GM jointly developed/produced 10-speed auto trans - http://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/46728-10-things-to-know-about-the-new-fordgm-10-speed-automatic-transmission/#comment-344801

Cummins Westport’s ISB6.7 G, a 6.7 liter midrange, factory-built natural gas engine is now fully available as a production engine for shuttle bus, medium duty truck, and vocational applications in North America. (Earlier post.) As previously announced, the engine has been available for school bus applications since May 2016 from Thomas Built Buses. The 6.7 liter engine platform has large OEM availability for midrange trucks, vocational trucks and mid size buses and the expansion of applications potentially available for the ISB6.7 G engine more than doubles its addressable market. The ISB6.7 G is based on the Cummins ISB6.7 diesel engine platform, the industry leader in the Cummins midrange engine family, and operates exclusively on natural gas, including compressed, liquid, or renewable natural gas (RNG). The ISB6.7 G is the second engine from Cummins Westport (CWI) to receive emission certification from the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Air Resources Board (ARB) in California for meeting the Optional Low NOx Emissions standards. An engine of this size is a natural addition to CWI’s portfolio of natural gas engines. Many customers using school and shuttle buses, medium duty trucks, or vocational vehicles operate within a local area where the return to base nature of their operation allows them to use fleet-owned or growing publicly available natural gas fueling infrastructure. The ISB6.7 G offers the midrange customer an ability to take advantage of the most cost effective overall solution with the benefit of a low emission natural gas engine that has proven performance, reliability, and durability. In addition, operating on RNG offers customers a tremendous greenhouse gas savings opportunity versus fossil fuels. —Rob Neitzke, President of CWI The ISB6.7 G features the same advanced combustion controls with Three-Way Catalyst (TWC) as Cummins Westport’s ISL G & ISX12 G engines. NOx emissions of the ISB6.7 G are 0.1 g/bhp-hr—50% lower than the current EPA and ARB NOx limit of 0.2 g/bhp-hr. CO2 emissions meet the 2017 EPA greenhouse gas (GHG) emission requirements. All CWI natural gas engines are lower than the 2010 EPA standard for particulate matter (0.01 g/bhp-hr). The ISB6.7 G utilizes CWI proprietary spark-ignited, stoichiometric combustion with cooled exhaust gas recirculation (SEGR) technology. It features electronic control with programmable features, a closed crankcase ventilation system, and maintenance-free three-way catalyst aftertreatment. No diesel particulate filter or selective catalytic reduction aftertreatment is required. The SEGR technology was introduced with the ISL G in 2007, and was developed to meet 2010 EPA emission requirements. The cooled-EGR system passes exhaust gas through a cooler to reduce temperatures before mixing it with fuel and the incoming air charge to the cylinder. Stoichiometric combustion in combination with cooled-EGR offers increased power density and thermal efficiency. It also reduces in-cylinder combustion temperatures and creates an oxygen-free exhaust, which then enables the use of a three-way catalyst (TWC) for NOx control. The ISB6.7 G will be manufactured in the Cummins engine plant and offered in three ratings up to 240 hp (179 kW) and 560 lb-ft (759 N·m) torque. Power Take-Off and automatic transmission capability meet customer and original equipment manufacturer requirements. Base warranty is two years, with unlimited miles/kilometers. Extended Coverage options are also available. Partial funding in support of the ISB6.7 G engine development has been received from the California Energy Commission through its Public Interest Energy Research (PIER) Program in conjunction with the Gas Technology Institute.

Trump hints US 'One China' policy could end "I fully understand the 'one China' policy, but I don't know why we have to be bound by a 'one China' policy unless we make a deal with China having to do with other things, including trade.” "I mean, look, we're being hurt very badly by China with devaluation, with taxing us heavy at the borders when we don't tax them, with building a massive fortress in the middle of the South China Sea, which they shouldn't be doing, and frankly with not helping us at all with North Korea." "You have North Korea. You have nuclear weapons, and China could solve that problem, and they're not helping us at all." "I don't want China dictating to me and this was a call put into me. I didn't make the call, and it was a call, very short call saying 'congratulations, sir, on the victory.” "It was a very nice call. Short. And why should some other nation be able to say I can't take a call. I think it actually would've been very disrespectful, to be honest with you, not taking it." President-elect Donald Trump December 11, 2016

You're so right, our intended expression doesn't always come across well (as intended) on a written forum. When I write "if what we are told is true", I do so with a serious tone. I'm not being sarcastic. The powers that be, the aristocracy including big business, uses information, and disinformation, to manipulate the masses, from getting the majority to stay in line, to buying the latest material items. There are always conspiracies, if we want to call them that, to discredit people, if not destroy them altogether. The battle for power in Washington is endless. "Power tends to corrupt, and absolute power corrupts absolutely. Great men are almost always bad men." - Lord John Dalberg-Acton, 1887 Regarding Trump, Hillary and the 2016 election, I'm sure there are many pieces to the puzzle that we will never know. I imagine half of the story, from the beginning to the end, will remain forever secret. Reflecting on our generation, do you really think you were told the complete truth, and nothing but the truth, on how Kennedy was killed? On Watergate? On Iran-Contra? On WMD in Iraq as an excuse for us to enter the second Iraq war? Truth........has an unmistakable air of clarity. It's not rocket science. I try to post factual news, including direct quotes. I avoid unfounded conjecture, but will post articles that, I feel, have creditable substance. I'm a serious person by nature. I apologize if you perceived me as being sarcastic.

There's no issues regarding warranty. If you buy an Isuzu-branded truck, your Isuzu dealer will handle it. If you buy a Chevrolet-branded truck, your Chevrolet dealer will handle it.

"The gasoline-powered models will be assembled from complete knock down (CKD) kits in the U.S. at the Spartan Motors assembly plant in Charlotte, Michigan." http://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/40483-déjà-vu-gm-to-source-medium-duty-trucks-from-isuzu/#comment-293513

David and Paul, I agree with you. That said, I seriously doubt that Hillary Clinton will see time, because for decades, we've watched dozens of these types of people avoid it. Politicians and the wealthy aristocracy including big business leaders all successfully avoid prosecution, again and again and again. Recall, for example, the 2008 financial crisis. Nobody on Wall Street went to jail. Companies were fined, but none of the "people" who made the corrupt company decisions were prosecuted. They are the "untouchables".

Huh??? I don't at all feel that she has been framed? I don't understand how you came away with that, from what I wrote. Based on what we're told........that's all we common people know. We have no first-hand information. So you feel that Hillary is incredibly guilty of a wide range of illegal acts, however, you don't care if Trump flip-flops on a key campaign point and lets her walk free?

Based on what we 're told, you feel Hillary should be in prison. I don't disagree. "If" what we're told is true, how could she be allowed to be a presidential nominee? With that in mind, why has Trump done a 360, abandoning his firm position to put her in jail? Now, Trump wants to show kindness to Hillary and let her walk. Go figure.

Trump gives Wilbur Ross wide trade policy powers The Financial Times / December 10, 2016 Boost to Commerce secretary’s role could spark battle with Congress Donald Trump wants Wilbur Ross, the billionaire investor tapped for Commerce secretary, to oversee his trade policy, in a controversial move that could spark a battle between the incoming administration and Congress. Trump has agreed to give Ross, a close friend, responsibility for handling one of his signature campaign issues, the Financial Times has learnt. The move, which would cut the influence of the US trade representative (USTR), would boost the role of Commerce secretary, traditionally a weak cabinet position. But it could face resistance in Congress where there has been opposition to similar ideas in the past. “Secretary Ross will be our administration’s leader on setting many of our trade priorities,” Jason Miller, the Trump transition team spokesman, confirmed when asked by the FT about the move. Ross was one of the main architects of Trump’s “America First” trade policy. In interviews since the election, he has continued to be the most vocal advocate for a wholesale rethinking of US trade policy. His role is set to be formalised once the new administration starts in January, according to the Trump transition team. Trump will still appoint a USTR head. But the president-elect has backed away from his campaign vow to bring all of the government officials involved in trade policy into an “American Desk” at the commerce department. One person familiar with the shift said Ross would determine trade priorities and that the USTR would be required to implement them. Miller said the transition team was “still determining the exact lines of responsibility between Commerce and USTR”. But he said that 79-year-old Ross would play a much larger role on trade policy than previous commerce secretaries because of his relationship with Trump and his role shaping the president-elect’s trade message. He declined to comment on whether the Trump team had discussed the move with Congress. Ross has been an outspoken critic of past trade agreements and has argued that the US could better use its leverage as a major consumer market to force countries to buy more US goods to help narrow the trade deficit. “Free trade doesn’t mean dumb trade,” Ross recently told FT. “We should treat ourselves as the world’s biggest customer and treat nations that are selling to us as suppliers to us.” At a campaign rally in October, Trump pledged a “major reorganisation of our bureaucracy” to make Washington’s approach to trade more efficient. Congress has for decades aggressively guarded its constitutionally mandated oversight of international trade. Sandy Levin, the senior Democrat on the House ways and means committee, which has jurisdiction over trade, said a reorganisation would be an unneeded distraction for the incoming administration. “The main problem is not the organisational structure, it is the structure of policy,” said Levin. “Just throwing out this idea and that idea won’t work. I’m not a big fan of thinking you can just restructure.” By handing Ross oversight over trade while maintaining the administrative divisions, Trump may still provoke a fight with the House and Senate committees that have responsibility for trade in Congress. The two key committees — the House ways and means committee and the Senate finance committee — also have jurisdiction over tax reform, which is another priority for the Trump administration. Gary Hufbauer, an expert on US trade policy, said any effort by the Trump administration to have Ross lead on trade would mark a significant departure and face opposition. “Even doing it informally will create some friction with the congressional branch,” he said. The US Constitution gives Congress the power to regulate trade. The legislature regularly delegates that authority to presidents, doing so most recently in June 2015. But it also has rejected repeated attempts by presidents to fold the office of the USTR into the commerce department or otherwise reorganise the bureaucratic structures. Since the position was first created in 1962, the USTR has been a part of the president’s executive office, in a move that gives it additional authority internationally. It has a reputation for being a lean operation, in stark contrast to the sprawling commerce department, which has some 47,000 employees around the world.

Trump told the world that, if he were president, Hillary would be in jail. We all saw and heard him say it on TV with the utmost seriousness. Trump has since totally flip-flopped on that major campaign point. Trump has done a 360, now saying that putting Hillary in jail is "just not something I feel very strongly about." "I don't want to hurt the Clintons, I really don't," Trump said. "She went through a lot and suffered greatly in many different ways." One minute, he wants to put her in a cold prison cell. Now, he wants to aid and comfort an old friend. After "lock her up" chants started at Trump's post-election "thank you" rally in Michigan this week, he responded, "That plays great before the election -- now we don't care, right?" But people DO care. Trump’s supporters voted for him because they took him seriously. Now, he’s telling them all the promises he made was merely campaign rhetoric.

There is no difference. Sandy Berger, David Petraeus, Oliver North and a long list of others (based on what we're told) are guilty to the same degree as Hillary Clinton. And yet, none of the them are in prison. There's an amazing double standard in how the "rule of law" is applied to the aristocracy versus the common people. My friend, how can you say that Petraeus was doing a fantastic job? He was passing state secrets to his lover (based on what we're told), who could easily have been a foreign agent. In doing so, he completely failed in his job at that point. He did "screw up", and I'm glad he was caught. We can't afford to have such employees "on the line" who are, clearly, unworthy of trust ("Loose lips sink ships").