Crosstalk: January 23, 2017

Today was inauguration day. Donald J. Trump is now the 45th president of the United States, while Mike Pence became the 48th vice-president of the U.S.

Jim noted that as the oath began you could hear whistles blowing along with shouts and screams because there were those seeking to protest, or if possible, to actually stop the transition of power to the Trump administration. Here's a selection of headlines that Jim shared that highlight this point:

--A protest turned violent late this morning as spectators reported being attacked. Police officials said demonstrators were vandalizing property and even torched a car.

--Protestors from 'Black Lives Matter' and other groups forced the shutdown of at least 2 inauguration security checkpoints.

--People were intent on interrupting the swearing-in ceremony by making their way into key sections of the viewing area. While wearing shirts that spelled out R-E-S-I-S-T they yelled out, 'We the people'!

--A large group of black-clad protestors, self-described as anti-capitalist and anti-fascist, threw newspaper boxes and garbage cans into the street, tried to set them on fire, broke glass at bus stops and businesses, smashed the windows of a limousine, while some carried signs that said, 'No peaceful transition'!

Following these headlines, Jim played a recording of President Trump's speech. It was a very hopeful presentation that put an exclamation point on his campaign slogan--'Make America Great Again'!

After the president's speech, Jim added these additional news items:

--The State Department conducted stress management classes for employees after Trump's win over Hillary Clinton. The classes were apparently offered so that employees would know how to cope with change so that they wouldn't become paralyzed with fear. Jim noted the odd nature of this in light of the fact that President Obama's entire tenure was about 'hope and change'.

--President Obama illegally sent a 500 million dollar (taxpayer funded) check to the U.N. Climate Fund.

--10 more Guantanamo Bay prisoners were sent to Oman by President Obama.

--In his final act as president, Obama cut short the prison sentences of 330 federal inmates convicted of drug crimes.

--4 family members who ran one of the largest cartel smuggling operations in South Texas had their life prison sentences commuted.

--The Obama administration positioned their top U.S. homosexual rights diplomat into a key position within the State Department.