The World Trade Organization (WTO) once again has shown their anti-American agenda. The European Union (EU) banned importation of American and Canadian beef in which growth hormones had been injected. Fair enough, a country has the right to decide what comes into its country. In response the North American countries added penalties (which I assume is a larger than normal tariff) to certain goods imported from the EU. The EU argued to the WTO that those countries were unfairly “sanctioning” the goods in retaliation for the beef ban. Again, a country has a right to decide what can come through its borders, and at what price. Of course, as usual, the WHO ruled against America (&Canada) and further ruled that the tariffs must end. I haven’t heard yet, but normally a heavy fine is issued to the offenders. If any punitive judgment is handed down, it will be in the billions of dollars, of which a portion goes to support the WHO.

 Today news broke that Russian President Vladimir Putin dismissed the Russian Prim Minister and dissolved his cabinet.  Putin then appointed a knew Prime Minister, which historically speaking makes him the leading candidate to become the next Russian President in the upcoming February election.  The Russian Constitution only allows the President to serve two four year consecutive terms.   The Prime Minister wields significant power in the political system that Russia follows.  And Putin just up and gets rid of the guy and replaces him with one of his own cronies.