Overhauling Nothing

Congress.org presents MegaVote for November 20, 2017 and Georgia's 13th Congressional District.

Recent Congressional Votes

• Senate: Kan Nomination – Confirmation
• Senate: Bradbury Nomination – Confirmation
• Senate: Esper Nomination – Confirmation
• Senate: Zatezalo Nomination – Confirmation
• Senate: Otting Nomination – Confirmation
• House: Flood Insurance Reauthorization
• House: Fiscal 2018 National Defense Authorization-Conference Report
• House: Tax Overhaul

The House of Representatives and Senate are not doing legislative business this week.

Congress takes many and long vacations, though no doubt the elected legislators, consider the fund raising that they do on these breaks per of their position requirements. In fact fund raising is not what we pay their salary for, they should be expected to put in 1900 hours (52 x 40 less 160 for vacation) a year toward their primary responsibility.

No measurement will ever by made, but I would estimate that we half of that. 

Recent Senate Votes:
Kan Nomination – Confirmation Vote Confirmed (90-7, 3 Not Voting)
The Senate confirmed the nomination of Derek Kan to be undersecretary of Transportation for policy.
Sen. Johnny Isakson voted YES
Sen. David Perdue voted YES

It is interesting that nominees involved with President Obama receive overwhelming votes of approval. The Senate confirmed Kan unanimously for the last president and 90-7 for this president. Kan was general manager for the Uber rival Lyft.

Bradbury Nomination – Confirmation Vote Confirmed (50-47, 3 Not Voting)
The Senate confirmed the nomination of Steven Bradbury to be general counsel of the Department of Transportation.
Sen. Johnny Isakson voted YES
Sen. David Perdue voted YES

A closer vote, therefore he must be a pure Trump man. Let's see, Bradbury first served during President GW Bush's second term heading the Office of Legal Counsel in the DOJ. A Stanford BA and Michigan JD who clerked for Clarence Thomas. Conservative credentials are a reason Democrats vote no.

Esper Nomination – Confirmation Vote Confirmed (89-6, 5 Not Voting)
The Senate confirmed the nomination of Mark T. Esper to be secretary of the Army.
Sen. Johnny Isakson voted YES
Sen. David Perdue voted YES

The Secretary of the Army is responsible for the authority to convene general courts-martial and management of the Civilian Aides to the Secretary of the Army Program. Esper is a graduate of West Point where he earned a BS, Harvard MPA and George Washington for a PhD. In the Army, Esper achieved the rank of  , Lieutenant Colonel, serving in the 101st Airborne Division and earned a Bronze Star in the Gulf War.

Zatezalo Nomination – Confirmation Vote Confirmed (52-46, 2 Not Voting)
The Senate confirmed the nomination of David G. Zatezalo to be assistant secretary of Labor for mine safety and health.
Sen. Johnny Isakson voted YES
Sen. David Perdue voted YES

Awesome, President Trump nominated a coal industry man. Zatezalo has been given instructions to a relax inspection rules for hard rock mines, rules that during the last administration had become onerous.

Otting Nomination – Confirmation Vote Confirmed (54-43, 3 Not Voting)
The Senate confirmed the nomination of Joseph Otting to be Comptroller of the Currency.
Sen. Johnny Isakson voted YES
Sen. David Perdue voted YES

Another industry man who's entire carer has been in banking.

Recent House Votes:
Flood Insurance Reauthorization Vote Passed (237-189, 7 Not Voting)
Passage of the bill, as amended, would reauthorize the National Flood Insurance Program through fiscal 2022 and would make modifications to the program, including: raise annual surcharges and reserve fund assessments on federal flood insurance policyholders, raise rates on properties that incur multiple losses, establish an annual deductible for severe and extreme repetitive loss properties and end the requirement that flood insurance be purchased for commercial and multifamily properties located in flood risk zones.
Rep. David Scott voted NO

Argument Ad nauseam.

Fiscal 2018 National Defense Authorization-Conference Report Vote Passed (356-70, 7 Not Voting)
Adoption of the conference report on the bill would authorize $692.1 billion for defense programs in fiscal 2018, including $65.7 billion for overseas operations in Afghanistan, Iraq and Syria, and for the general war on terror. It would authorize $241.2 billion for operations and maintenance; $146.2 billion for military personnel; 10.7 billion for military construction and family housing; $15 billion for ballistic-missile defense; and $33.9 billion for defense health care programs, including $396 million from the overseas operations account. It also would prohibit the use of funds for a new round of base closures. It would authorize $8 billion for various cyber-security programs. The bill would authorize a 2.4 percent pay raise for military personnel. It also would prohibit detainees at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, from being transferred to U.S. soil, and would prohibit the closing of the main base and detention facility at Guantanamo.
Rep. David Scott voted YES

Defense bills are generally good for Georgia, thus David Scott cannot vote against without alienating persons dependent on bases in his district.

Tax Overhaul Vote Passed (227-205, 2 Not Voting)
Passage of the bill would revise the federal income tax system by: lowering individual and corporate tax rates; consolidating the current seven tax income rates into four rates; eliminating the deduction for state and local income taxes; limiting certain deductions for property taxes and home mortgages; and creating a new system of taxing U.S. corporations with foreign subsidiaries. Specifically, it would eliminate personal exemptions and would nearly double the standard deduction. It would raise the child tax credit through 2022, repeal the alternative minimum tax, repeal the estate tax in 2025 and reduce the gift tax rate in 2025. It would establish a new top tax rate for pass-through business income and would modify tax credits related to energy production.
Rep. David Scott voted NO

I feel a diatribe coming on. The House of Representatives, under pressure from voters know that they have to show progress on improving the tax situation. Under the table they are ok with the structure of the taxes, it is not tethered to expenditures in a real way and the general practice of over taxing everything provides a money stream that allows them as representatives to have projects aimed at direct payments to constituents or indirectly through purchases of goods. To listen to these folks, on both sides of the aisle, most legislators say that he system needs to be over healed, their actions belie their dishonesty. The most we ever see done is some nibbling at the edges. That is what this proposal is. If they were serious about tax reform, they would strike the system and move to a consumer based taxed system like the Fair or Flat tax designs. To see this bill passed then harangued over by the Senate is like watching a soap opera, total bullshit, and nothing serious.

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Comey Tweet

James Comey offered a tweet about the free press not being limited. I think the response is fairly described as "trucked".
I remember well, when the investigation on the IRS targeting was beginning, many congressmen touting about what a stand-up mensch this man was. He achieved no arrests in the IRS investigation and completely flubbed up the Russia issue. It is fair to characterize former Director Comey as a Democratic political appointee who lost sight of his responsibility, becoming an obstructing protector of President Obama and Presidential Candidate Clinton.
Found this at the Brutalist.

Leeann Tweeden

Last week while I was at lunch from work, there was a television on with video of Leeann Tweeden, My first thought was that she was a handsome lady. Learning that story was Al Franken had molested this person during a USO trip was hardly a surprise. Senator Franken has always, even during his campaign, displayed a public disrespect toward morals and authority. At that point I had no idea that she had been a Playmate or that she was now a radio anchor in a major market. Checking into the story I am impressed by both the fact that she supports our troops through the USO and has a pragmatic opinion of the situation.
Al Franken acted with disrespect to this woman, and deserves experience being publicly molested.

More Nomination Chores

Congress.org presents MegaVote for November 13, 2017 and Georgia's 13th Congressional District.
Recent Congressional Votes

• Senate: Gibson Nomination – Confirmation
• Senate: Engel Nomination – Confirmation
• Senate: Wehrum Nomination – Confirmation
• House: Joint Employer Definition
• House: Hydropower Regulation
• House: Securities Regulations Exemptions

Upcoming Congressional Bills

• Senate: Kan Nomination
• Senate: Bradbury Nomination
• Senate: Zatezalo Nomination
• House: Defense Authorization
• House: Flood Insurance
• House: Reconciliation Tax Overhaul

Recent Senate Votes:
Gibson Nomination – Confirmation Vote Confirmed (91-7, 2 Not Voting)
The Senate confirmed the nomination of John Gibson to be deputy chief management officer of the Defense Department.
Sen. Johnny Isakson voted YES
Sen. David Perdue voted YES

Slam dunk vote for the Defense Department bureaucrat. IN private industry Gibson worked in CFO type roles.

Engel Nomination – Confirmation Vote Confirmed (51-47, 2 Not Voting)
The Senate confirmed the nomination of Steven Engel to be an assistant Attorney General.
Sen. Johnny Isakson voted YES
Sen. David Perdue voted YES

Harvard BA, Cambridge MPhil and Yale for the JD, he's such a pure blood I am surprised that the Democrats voted against him. Surely he is a closeted progressive. That said, he was involved in the G. W. Bush memo signing off enhanced interrogation techniques. McCain doesn't like him, that is good enough for me.

Wehrum Nomination – Confirmation Vote Confirmed (49-47, 4 Not Voting)
The Senate confirmed the nomination of William Wehrum to be an assistant administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency.
Sen. Johnny Isakson voted YES
Sen. David Perdue voted YES

A close vote, for a Bush appointee in the same department. Democrats reflexively reject all nominees with potential effect on the environment.

Recent House Votes:
Joint Employer Definition Vote Passed (242-181, 9 Not Voting)
Passage of the bill would define a joint employer as an entity with actual, direct and immediate control over employees, with significant control over essential terms of employment such as hiring, determining pay and benefits, day-to-day supervision of employees, and assigning individual work schedules.
Rep. David Scott voted NO

This was posed as a means of protecting small business by the Republican proponents, seeking clarity on the definitions of what joint-employee is.  To this I am generally in favor of legislation that restricts bureaucrats from having decision making capability when it some to issues relating to insurance and taxation.

Hydropower Regulation Vote Passed (257-166, 9 Not Voting)
Passage of the bill would specify a variety of time frames and procedures for the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission to follow in carrying out required permitting and licensing activities for non-federal hydropower projects and would make FERC the lead agency for coordinating all applicable federal authorizations. It would extend, from three years to four, the duration of a preliminary permit for proposed non-federal hydropower projects and would allow project sponsors to initiate construction up to 10 years after a proposed project receives a license from FERC.
Rep. David Scott voted YES

Thank you David Scott, this should be helpful to our state.

Securities Regulations Exemptions Vote Passed (232-188, 12 Not Voting)
Passage of the bill would require an issuer of securities to meet a specific set of criteria in order for the issuer's transactions to constitute a sale of "nonpublic" securities that are exempt from registration with the Securities and Exchange Commission and from state regulation. It would require each purchaser to have a substantive pre-existing relationship with an officer or certain shareholders of the issuer, permit no more than 35 purchasers under the exemption over the preceding 12 months, and would cap, at $500,000, the total aggregate amount of securities sold in the 12-month period preceding the transaction.
Rep. David Scott voted NO

Said it before, this smells like people are going to get worked over.

Upcoming Votes:
Kan Nomination - PN458
The Senate is expected to vote on the nomination of Derek Kan to be under secretary of Transportation for policy.

Later

Bradbury Nomination - PN558
The Senate is expected to vote on the nomination of Steven Bradbury to be general counsel for the Transportation Department.

Later

Zatezalo Nomination - PN919
The Senate is expected to vote on the nomination of David Zatezalo  to be an assistant secretary of Labor for mine, safety and health.

Later

Defense Authorization - HR2810
The measure would authorize $692.1 billion in fiscal 2018 for discretionary defense spending within the Armed Services Committee's jurisdiction, $74.2 billion more than the fiscal 2017 enacted authorization and $26.4 billion more than the president's overall request. It would also authorize $7.5 billion in mandatory spending for a grand total of $699.6 billion. The discretionary total includes $65.7 billion for uncapped OCO funding and $626.4 billion for base activities that would be subject to the $549 billion cap on discretionary spending for fiscal 2018 defense spending set by the 2011 Budget Control Act. It would authorize major increases for missile defense as well as billions more than requested by the president for ships, aircraft and other weapons systems.

Wont be a problem.

Flood Insurance - HR2874
The measure, which combines seven bills reported by the Financial Services Committee, reauthorizes the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) for five years, through Sept. 30, 2022, and modifies the program to bolster its solvency and to promote a private flood insurance market. It raises annual surcharges and reserve fund assessments on federal flood insurance policyholders; provides for increased annual premiums for properties with subsidized premiums that experience multiple floods in the future; terminates flood insurance if future claims exceed three times a home's replacement value; ends the requirement that flood insurance be purchased for commercial and multifamily properties; requires FEMA to accept private flood insurance for mandatory coverage requirements; requires FEMA to provide public access to its flood loss and other data; and makes it easier for policyholders to switch between private and NFIP policies.

Do it.

Reconciliation Tax Overhaul - HR1
The bill substantially restructures the U.S. tax code to simplify the code and reduce taxes on individuals, corporations and small businesses. For individuals, it consolidates the current seven tax brackets down to four and eliminates or restricts many tax credits and deductions, including by eliminating the deduction for state and local income taxes and limiting the deduction for property taxes to $10,000 and the interest deduction for home mortgages to the first $500,000 worth of a loan. It eliminates personal exemptions but nearly doubles the standard deduction so fewer taxpayers will itemize deductions. It also raises the child tax credit to $1,600 and for five years provides $300 per person adult credits, while eliminating the estate tax and Alternative Minimum Tax. On the business side, it reduces the corporate tax from 35% to 20% and establishes a "territorial" tax system that exempts most overseas income from U.S. taxation. It allows businesses to immediately expense 100% of the cost of assets acquired and placed into service, and establishes a 25% rate for a portion of pass-through business income that otherwise must be paid at the individual income rate. For small businesses where an individual would receive less than $150,000 in pass-through income, it taxes the first $75,000 of that income at a 9% rate.

When a bunch of politicians struggle to create something that is going to cut my taxes, I expect that when its over, some people will be paying more taxes and the rest won't feel any significant relief. Freeze spending increases while moving to a Fair or Flat tax, quit fucking with ways to bring in money for buying votes off the backs of the perceived rich.

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March of Women to the Circuit Courts

Congress.org presents MegaVote for November 7, 2017 and Georgia's 13th Congressional District.

Recent Congressional Votes

• Senate: Barrett Nomination – Confirmation
• Senate: Larsen Nomination – Confirmation
• Senate: Eid Nomination – Confirmation
• Senate: Bibas Nomination – Confirmation
• House: Wildfire Funding and Environmental Reviews
• House: Independent Payment Advisory Board Repeal
• House: CHIP and Community Health Centers Funding Reauthorization

Upcoming Congressional Bills

• Senate: Engel Nomination
• Senate: Robb Nomination
• Senate: Wehrum Nomination
• Senate: Kan Nomination
• House: Joint Employers
• House: Hydropower
• House: SEC Regulation of Private Securities
• House: Flood Insurance Overhaul

Recent Senate Votes:

Barrett Nomination – Confirmation Vote Confirmed (55-43, 2 Not Voting)

The Senate confirmed the nomination of Amy C. Barrett to be U.S. circuit judge for the Seventh Circuit.

Sen. Johnny Isakson voted YES

Sen. David Perdue voted YES

Barrett is more an exception to the Ivy League club, she got here BA at Rhodes College of Memphis and earned her JD at Notre Dame. During the hearing lading to confirmation, was questioned on her Catholic faith y Dianne Feinstein, who suggested that being Catholic was grounds for disqualification. This now circuit court judge clerked for Antonin Scalia.

Larsen Nomination – Confirmation Vote Confirmed (60-38, 2 Not Voting)

The Senate confirmed the nomination of Joan L. Larsen to be U.S. circuit judge for the Sixth Circuit.

Sen. Johnny Isakson voted YES

Sen. David Perdue voted YES

Another conservative judge  coming from outside the Ivy League. Larsen earned a BA at Northern Iowa and JD from Northwestern.  Confirmed with some Democrat votes. Previously served on the Michigan Supreme Court and an assistant attorney general during the George W. Bush administration.

Eid Nomination – Confirmation Vote Confirmed (56-41, 3 Not Voting)

The Senate confirmed the nomination of Allison H. Eid to be U.S. circuit judge for the Tenth Circuit.

Sen. Johnny Isakson voted YES

Sen. David Perdue voted YES

Another confirmed woman for the circuit courts Approved with some Democrat votes. Earned a BA at Stanford and a JD at the University of Chicago. Eid has worked as a clerk for Clarence Thomas, in in Ronald Reagan's administration as an assistant to William Bennett. Most recently Eid served as a replacement in the seat vacated by the Neil Gorsuch move to the Supreme Court.

Bibas Nomination – Confirmation Vote Confirmed (53-43, 4 Not Voting)

The Senate confirmed the nomination of Stephanos Bibas to be U.S. circuit judge for the Third Circuit.

Sen. Johnny Isakson voted YES

Sen. David Perdue voted YES

Back to the Ivy League well, Bibas earned a BA from Columbia, an MA from Oxford and a JD from Yale. Bibas is considered a leading scholar in the are of criminal procedure. This judge clerked for Anthony Kennedy at the Supreme Court.

Recent House Votes:

Wildfire Funding and Environmental Reviews Vote Passed (232-188, 12 Not Voting)

Passage of the bill would allow for a presidential declaration of a major disaster with regard to wildfires, which would allow for the release of funding from Federal Emergency Management Agency's Disaster Relief Fund to fight major wildfires, and would modify the disaster cap under the Budget Control Act to account for expected wildfire funding needs. It also would exempt various forest management activities from filing environmental impact statements and would provide for expedited timber salvage operations and reforestation activities after catastrophic events.

Rep. David Scott voted NO

My understanding of this vote was that the Republicans were looking to streamline the process at the behest of lawmakers in western states. Naturally Democrats resist common sense land management principles. Fires occur naturally and if contained actually are healthy for a forest.

Independent Payment Advisory Board Repeal Vote Passed (307-111, 14 Not Voting)

Passage of the bill would repeal provisions of the 2010 health overhaul law that provide for the creation of Independent Payment Advisory Board, which would recommend cost-cutting measures if Medicare spending exceeds a target growth rate.

Rep. David Scott voted Not Voting

Democrats vote to leave the control with the bureaucrats.

CHIP and Community Health Centers Funding Reauthorization Vote Passed (242-174, 16 Not Voting)

Passage of the bill, as amended, would extend funding for the Children's Health Insurance Program through fiscal 2022, and would increase funding from $21.5 billion in fiscal 2018 to $25.9 billion in fiscal 2022. It would also provide $3.6 billion annually for community health centers through fiscal 2019, and would extend funding for a number of other public health programs through fiscal 2019. It also would eliminate, through fiscal 2019, scheduled cuts in Medicaid funding to hospitals that serve large numbers of uninsured and low-income patients.

Rep. David Scott voted NO

Republicans push, Democrats resist, while the people want the the thing imploded.

Upcoming Votes:

Engel Nomination - PN58

The Senate will vote on the nomination of Steven Engel to be an assistant attorney general at the Justice Department.
Robb Nomination - PN1025

The Senate will vote on the nomination of Peter Robb to be general counsel of the National Labor Relations Board.
Wehrum Nomination - PN994

The Senate will vote on the nomination of William Wehrum to be an assistant administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency.

Kan Nomination - PN458

The Senate will vote on the nomination of Derek Kan to be undersecretary of Transportation for policy.

Will check all these guys out after the vote.

Joint Employers - HR3441

The bill would effectively negate the National Labor Relations Board's 2015 ruling regarding joint employers by modifying the statutory definition of joint employer to clarify that an employer must have actual, direct and immediate control over employees to be considered a joint employer.

If the NRLB is involved, some persons rights are being restricted.

Hydropower - HR3043

The bill would promote the construction of non-federal hydropower projects by providing more certainty to the permitting and licensing process, including by specifying a variety of time frames and procedures for the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission and other affected agencies to follow in carrying out required permitting and licensing activities, and by establishing FERC as the lead agency for permitting these hydropower facilities.

Who could argue with more hyropower.

SEC Regulation of Private Securities - HR2201 The bill would clarify which transactions constitute a sale of "nonpublic" securities that are exempt from registration with the Securities and Exchange Commission and from state regulation, in an effort to further promote such private placements and enable smaller companies and startups to more easily raise capital.

The terms SEC and "nonpublic" should not be in the same statement, if it is some persons are about to be cheated.

Flood Insurance Overhaul - HR2874

The House of Representatives is expected to vote on a bill that would reauthorize the National Flood Insurance Program for five years. It would provide certain new benefits to policyholders as well as institute new options for lower-cost flood insurance coverage.

My feelings about federal flood insurance run against  to grain. While I agree that such insurance is necessary and appropriate, it is in many cases abused by landowners who build expensive homes in high risk zones. I believe that landowners that build second luxury homes in high risk zones should not be covered by such insurance. Unless of course, the premiums are realistic in terms of having zero cost for the taxpayers.

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Copyright (c) 2017. 

Our Goose Is Cooked

Have always been a big fan of Michael Ramirez.
Happy Thanksgiving folks.

Mother and Daughter

Carrie Fisher did more work you realize, some of it very good.
Debbie Reynolds always kind of irritated me, but to be fair, her era and genre passed before I tuned in.
Post cards from the edge would be really interesting today.

Hotel Policy

A family walks into a hotel and the father goes to the front desk and asks...

"I hope the porn is disabled."

The hotel clerk replies...

"It's just regular porn you sick bastard!"

Who Said That

A teacher decides to let students out early if they can name the origin of a famous quote.
Teacher: "Who said 'Four Score and Seven Years Ago’?”
Johnny began to open his mouth, but Susie says, "Abraham Lincoln.”
Teacher: "That's right Susie, you can go home.”
Teacher: "Who said 'I Have a Dream’?”
Again, before Johnny can open his mouth, Mary says, "Martin Luther King.”
Teacher: "That's right Mary, you can go.”
Teacher: "Who said 'Ask not, what your country can do for you’?”
Before Johnny can open his mouth, Nancy says, "John F. Kennedy.”
Teacher: "That's right Nancy, you may also leave.”
When the teacher turns her back Johnny says in frustration,
"I wish these dumb bitches would keep their fucking mouths shut!”
The teacher turns around and she is livid: "NOW WHO SAID THAT?!?!”

Johnny: "Harvey Weinstein. Can I go now?”

Featured

A young man moved out from home and into a new apartment.  All on his own, he went proudly down to the lobby to put his name on his mailbox.
While there, a stunning young lady came out of the apartment next to the mailboxes, wearing only a robe.  The boy smiled at the young woman and she started up a conversation with him.
As they talked, her robe slipped open, and it was obvious that she had nothing else on.
The poor kid broke into a sweat trying to maintain eye contact.
After a few minutes, she placed her hand on his arm and said, 'Let's go to my apartment, I hear someone coming.'
He followed her into her apartment; she closed the door and leaned against it, allowing her robe to fall off completely. Now nude, she purred at him,
'What would you say is my best feature?' Flustered and embarrassed, he finally squeaked, 'It's got to be your ears.'
Astounded, and a little hurt she asked, 'My ears? Look at these breasts; they are a full 38 inches and 100% natural. I work out every day and my ass is firm and solid. I have a 28 inch waist. Look at my skin - not a blemish anywhere. How can you think that the best part of my body is my ears?'
Clearing his throat, he stammered... 'Outside, when you said you heard someone coming... that was me.

Runaway Jury

A formula driven book written by John Grisham, published in 1996.
The novel's core character is Nicholas Easter, a man who through following the industry, disguises his identity and moves to Biloxi, Mississippi. There he manages to get on a jury for a civil suit against a leading cigarette manufacturer. Nicholas manipulates the jury and with the help of woman on the outside, manages to convince the corrupt jury consultant that they can push the jury to a favorable conclusion for the defense. After the $10,000,000 is paid the woman, the sequestered jury is pushed to find for the plaintiff.
As with any Grisham story there is a good amount of histrionics but the hero and heroine win out and survive the evil lawyers.
I found it interesting that the movie of the same name changed out the cigarette manufacturers for hand gun makers.
Like most Grisham books, it is an easy read, much like watching a movie for the third time.

Surrender is Not an Option

This book was written by John Bolton, published in 2007, shortly before President Bush left office.
Beginning with his time in college, being a Goldwater Republican, this is the work of the man who was rejected as the UN representative to the United Nations by bitchy Democrats like Charles Schumer and  Joseph Biden. Not to be outdone President Bush put him in there as a recess appointment.
Bolton spends a great deal of time describing the manner in which his primary directors Colin Powell and Condoleezza Rice were inconsistent leaders more interested in their personal legacies and agreeing with other nations than placing the needs of the United States foremost.
Bolton spends a great deal of time describing how the United Nations, is ineffective, built and operates contrary to the needs of the United States who happens to be its greatest benefactor.
Bolton describes problems with the our government, notably the State Department:

• The State Department is composed of primarily liberal democrats
• Federal government is filled with career operators who resist the transient will of the people, something that we are seeing today with resistance to the policies of the Trump White House
• State Department allows the application of "moral equivalents" to be used by enemies in negotiations
• State Department approaches all negotiations with the position of "what can we give up", see North Korea

The book was an interesting read in that it describes Bolton's frustrations, frustrations which parallel the Trump White House and conservatives of today.
This is a dry read, spends a lot of time describing the machinations of the United Nations, often with acronyms. It is filled with many frank criticisms of politicians on both sides of the aisle.
I enjoyed it, here is a link to a more astute review.