SACRAMENTO, Calif — In a 1988 radio address praising Canadian voters for rejecting a political ticket that described a free-trade deal as “selling out Canada,” President Ronald Reagan noted that “the argument against tariffs” has not only “won nearly universal agreement among economists but it has also proven itself in the real world, where we have seen free-trading nations prosper while protectionist countries fall behind.” Free-trade supporters (myself included) have touted that clip — and other Reagan speeches — as the incoming GOP administration plans a trade policy that seems lifted from Reagan’s Democratic and union foes from the 1980s. “Tariffs are the greatest thing ever invented,” Donald Trump said at a Michigan campaign rally in September. He called himself “Tariff Man.” He certainly is, as he just announced blanket tariffs on Canadian, Mexican, and Chinese goods. Of course, tariff supporters are right that Reagan’s actions didn’t always live up to his ideals. In 1983, Reagan famously gave in to pressure from Harley-Davidson Motor Co. and boosted tariffs on imported motorcycles by 45 percent. The iconic company was in dire financial straits, concerned about competition from the Big Four Japanese makers (Honda, Kawasaki, Yamaha, and Suzuki) and unable to deal with its debt load, quality problems, and cratering market share. Advocates for tariffs still point to the Harley-Davidson protection as a success, as it reportedly gave the company time to rebuild. Harley even called for an end to the tariffs a year early, citing their effectiveness. In 1999, the Bill Clinton White House released a report arguing that the motorcycle tariffs were “evidence that American innovation and effective U.S. trade policy can reap rewards for American companies and American workers.” That seems unlikely.  At the time, Japanese makers had misread market demand and amassed so much unsold inventory here that the tariff didn’t really affect their products for at least a year, as it didn’t apply to bikes that already were in the United States sitting on dealer lots. European brands such as BMW weren’t affected by the tariffs, as they didn’t sell in high enough numbers to trigger them. The Japanese makers found innovative end-runs, anyway. Kawasaki and Honda shifted production to their U.S. plants. They mainly tweaked engine designs. Tariffs applied to motorcycles with 700cc or larger engines, given that Harley specializes in the large-displacement category. The duties applied mainly to UJMs — or Universal Japanese Motorcycles (referring to the similar, all-purpose design common among all Japanese manufacturers) — with popular 750cc inline-four engines. As Hagerty Media explained, the Big Four simply dropped the bore on those engines to bring them to around 699cc, but their “revised cam timing, higher compression, and revised gearing kept performance close to the 750s that they temporarily replaced.” In other words, the tariffs enticed Harley’s competitors to become more innovative than ever. One can argue that they really weren’t serious competitors to the U.S. brand. I own a Kawasaki Z900RS Café, a newly minted homage to the company’s 1982-83 KZ1000 Eddie Lawson Replica (named after the famous moto racer). The KZ1000 was the kind of technologically advanced Japanese bike that Harley executives apparently feared, but studies show that only 10 percent of buyers at the time cross-shopped Harley and Japanese brands. That’s no surprise. I also own a Harley-Davidson Softail Heritage Classic. Comparing the two is like comparing an exquisite plate of sushi with a New York strip. The Kawasaki’s 948cc inline-four comes on slow, then screams like a banshee at 6,500 rpm (and it can really take the twisties). By contrast, Harley’s torquey 1,746 cc V-twin pulls like a freight train, but its 728 pounds (versus 475 for the Kawasaki) and limited lean angle make it the ideal choice for relaxed cruising or longer distances. And that Harley is a looker. So, Harley-Davidson maybe didn’t need protection from these very different products. The company already gained new owners in 1981 (the merciful end of the AMF era) and embarked on a plan to improve quality control, rebuild factories, and improve its model line. As tariffs expired, the country was exiting a recession. Such improper government intervention probably didn’t do much (except politically) to save the legendary manufacturer. Furthermore, the tariffs — and subsequent devaluing of the Japanese Yen — helped push up motorcycle prices overall, which arguably sparked a longer-term decline in motorcycle ridership. Some analysts argue that by protecting Harley from competition in its core market (heavy, big-engine cruisers, and touring bikes), tariffs encouraged the company to double down on bikes that appeal to its aging ridership and delayed its willingness to expand its appeal. Indeed, Harley-Davidson has struggled to appeal to younger riders with affordable, smaller, and innovative models. That marketing decision — more than its inexplicable former DEI policies — is a key reason the company sells around half the North American units as it did a decade ago. Whatever the cause of its current problems, it’s not clear if the tariffs delayed or exacerbated them. Tariffs shouldn’t be judged by the impact on one particular company but on the overall effect on the economy, consumer choice, and our freedom. With tariffs, the government picks winners and losers — just as Harley lost out when Trump’s steel tariffs dramatically raised manufacturing costs for Harley and automobile makers. Tariff supporters often forget about the size of markets outside of the United States. American consumers buy around a half million motorcycles a year versus 60 million worldwide. Other countries retaliate when our country imposes tariffs. During Trump’s first term, Europe retaliated with large tariffs on American-made motorcycles, bourbon, and blue jeans. Harley then announced plans to build European-bound motorcycles outside the United States. It drew Trump’s wrath but highlights how tariffs can cost more domestic jobs than they save. Granted, it’s ironic given its history to hear Harley-Davidson’s president and CEO Jochen Zeitz complain (as he did during the 2021 trade war) that, “Imposing an import tariff on all Harley-Davidson motorcycles goes against all notions of free trade.” He’s right, but it would be great if everyone — politicians and business leaders alike — just applied that principle all of the time. Steven Greenhut is the Western region director for the R Street Institute. Write to him at sgreenhut@rstreet.org. READ MORE from Steven Greenhut: California Voters Reject ‘California Values’ State Officials Give Nod to Far Higher Gas Prices Californians Reject the Worst Initiatives The post Lessons From a Previous Trade War appeared first on The American Spectator | USA News and Politics.

Motörhead frontman Ian “Lemmy” Kilmister will take up full-time residence at one of his favorite haunts to relax and socialize — Stringfellows gentlemen’s club in London. On December 18th there will be a miniature replica of his custom urn containing a portion of his ashes, which will be installed at the club, ensuring Lemmy can permanently hold court at one of his beloved places. Motörhead guitarist Phil Campbell will be in attendance to say a few words and place Lemmy’s ashes there. Owner Peter Stringfellow and Lemmy go back a long time… to say the least. “When he was in London, Lemmy never missed a night out at Stringfellows. He was a true friend of the club,” said Sadat Banda, operations director for Stringfellows. ### The post Motörhead’s Lemmy Immortalized… Yet Again appeared first on RockinTown.

A giant, two-story sized statue of President Trump has been commissioned and is currently under creation by an Ohio artist and will hopefully be unveiled at the January 20th Inauguration. Wow! Here are some early sneak peaks: BREAKING: President-elect Trump is being honored with a two-story-tall bronze statue, designed to capture his iconic defiant fist pump following the assassination attempt on his life in Butler, Pennsylvania, last July. The statue is hoped to be unveiled at Trump’s inauguration. pic.twitter.com/4qMiHAIc2X — Leading Report (@LeadingReport) November 27, 2024 Breitbart reports the statue was commissioned by a group of crypto investors involved with the $PATRIOT coin: President-elect Donald Trump is being honored with a larger-than-life two-story tall bronze statue, which is being shaped to capture his iconic defiance in the wake of the assassination attempt on his life in Butler, Pennsylvania, last July. Breitbart News has obtained exclusive photos of the statue, which is still under construction. Backers behind the project hope to unveil the finished product at Trump’s inauguration. Crypto investors with the project $PATRIOT commissioned Ohio artist Alan Cottrill to create the bronze statue after Trump was nearly assassinated in Butler, Pennsylvania, on July 13, 2024. Trump’s pro-crypto policies also helped motivate backers to support the project, Breitbart News has learned. Cottrill is working to capture Trump’s courage and defiance immediately after being shot. In iconic fashion, Trump rose with a bloodied face and pumped his fist as he repeatedly shouted, “Fight!” to his supporters before U.S. Secret Service agents rushed him off stage. Cottrill, who also created the Thomas Edison statue in Statuary Hall in the U.S. Capitol, said in a statement shared with Breitbart News that this is the largest figure he has ever set out to create. “I’ve sculpted and cast 400 life size or larger bronze statues across America and the Patriot Statue is our largest single figure to date,” he said. Along with forging the Edison statue in 2016, Cottrill has also fashioned statues of several other presidents for universities and museums. “The Patriot Statue of Donald J. Trump was our largest and most controversial undertaking, especially considering the scale and relevance of the event in Butler that took place,” Cottrill said. Dustin Stockton, who helped lead the project, detailed the process that Cottrill is undertaking to forge the statue. First, Cottrill sculpts a clay mold, and then individual bronze pieces are shaped based on the mold. The bronze pieces are then welded together and buffed out, creating the final product. Stockton estimated the statue would be completed by the New Year. “The statue had to be Trumpian. It had to be larger than life and over the top,” Stockton told Breitbart News. He noted that he has spoken with several members of the Inaugural Committee about the logistics of unveiling it at the inauguration. After the unveiling, the statue will embark on a year-long cross-country tour on the back of an 18-wheeler with a crane, Stockton said. Once the tour is completed, those involved with the project hope the statue can be displayed in Butler before ultimately being placed forever at the eventual Trump Presidential Library. “It’s been one hell of a ride the last decade; the PATRIOT project, statue, and tour is our way of claiming how these incredible times are remembered by history,” Stockton said. It is unclear where exactly the statue would go in Butler and whether or not it could stand on the Butler Farm Show grounds where Trump was shot, but Stockton has spoken with some people in the county about potentially placing it there. During a phone call with Breitbart News on Tuesday morning, Butler County Board of Commissioner Vice Chair Kim Geyer, who has been in contact with Stockton, noted that the grounds are private property, meaning it is up to the Farm Show grounds’ board of directors rather than the county to place it there. More here: This is INCREDIBLE! Someone is creating a two-story Trump statue of him holding his fist in the air following the assassination attempt. pic.twitter.com/IhwpLCcBZ4 — Ryan Fournier (@RyanAFournier) November 27, 2024 Let’s just hope it turns out better than the Dwayne Wade statute. Have you seen that? They did Wade very wrong with this abomination: Dwayne Wade has priceless reaction after looking at his new statue, which looks nothing like him. “That’s crazy. I can’t believe it… Who is that guy?” pic.twitter.com/bKs6GzFjDS — Global Index (@TheGlobal_Index) October 28, 2024 The memes came immediately: Dwayne Wade’s statue is straight up DISRESPECTFUL pic.twitter.com/8IpevDxfQe — VICTORIEUX (@Victorieux_) October 29, 2024 The new Dwayne Wade statue has been unveiled. pic.twitter.com/5WKbhaDlQz — Christopher Waldeck (@AtypicallyFly) October 27, 2024 Some said it was appropriate: Everyone is roasting this statue of Dwayne Wade as being totally unlike the actual person but here is the thing. He has launched a charity to permanently mutilate children because his son was going through a confusing time. I think the artist saw the demon perfectly! pic.twitter.com/JEpYQXOKsr — TheQuartering (@TheQuartering) October 28, 2024 Check out Wade’s reaction upon first seeing it…. Dude does NOT look happy: Dwayne Wade’s statue has been unveiled and he does not look happy about it pic.twitter.com/1CG9bGHaJj — non aesthetic things (@PicturesFoIder) October 28, 2024 But of course perhaps the worst statue in recent times is the recent “rooster” they “erected” to honor Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Have you seen this thing? Disrespectful is an understatement: DISRESPECTFUL: The New MLK “Embrace” Statue Dishonors Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. DISRESPECTFUL: The New MLK "Embrace" Statue Dishonors Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Oh my...how disrespectful! Look, this is one of those articles I'm not going to tell you what I think, I'm just going to show you what a lot of other people think and show you pictures and video for yourself and let YOU decide. Let's start off with the background. A giant bronze statue was commissioned in Boston to honor the late, great Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Nice, right? Unfortunately, sometimes things sound better on paper than they do when finished. The idea for the statue was to honor this famous photo: The #MLK Embrace statue in Boston was inspired by this famous photo. Did it miss the mark? pic.twitter.com/cb2bg5ohhV — Noah Christopher (@DailyNoahNews) January 14, 2023 https://twitter.com/Nikki_T/status/1614083344433561601 Unfortunately, they decided to cut off the heads and the result is, well, you decide... #MLK Embrace Statue unveiled in Boston... Why does it look like a giant _____? pic.twitter.com/RCOd4nElch — Noah Christopher (@DailyNoahNews) January 14, 2023 When it's being described as "veiny" that's when I think you've got some problems: https://twitter.com/AladdinSaneTroy/status/1613626108800339999 Now, it could just be a bad angle, so let's watch the full video: Video of the Embrace MLK statue in Boston... Is there any angle where this does not look pornographic? pic.twitter.com/Xn3wDwxR3x — Noah Christopher (@DailyNoahNews) January 14, 2023 Yikes, not much better.... I feel like we definitely need to tune in and get a "not White person" opinion here for full and balanced reporting: Given that I am not White, I am safe from ANY charges of racism for saying the MLK embrace statue is aesthetically unpleasant. The famous photo should have been a FULL statue of the couple and their embrace. What a huge swing and miss in honoring the Dr & Mrs King. SAD! #bospoli pic.twitter.com/w8yqSjOfqs — Rasheed (@rasheednwalters) January 13, 2023 This is probably the most favorable angle: “The Embrace” statue on the Boston Common. A memorial to honor the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and his wife Coretta Scott King. pic.twitter.com/xYYBhzhCvR — Malcolm Johnson NBC10 Boston (@MalNBCBoston) January 14, 2023 Oh my: https://twitter.com/FringeViews/status/1614236111991103489 Is it pornographic? Opinions seem to vary depending on the angle you look at. It's either a giant rooster or a person's head between two legs. Either way, I think the quote from above was "aesthetically unpleasant": What is this?The EMBRACE? Why not a statue of MLK Jr. and Coretta standing? Does this look pornographic to anyone else? #Boston Did you approve this? #statues #art https://t.co/VZIF1LO8Gl — TheXFactor (@DeborahTaylor01) January 14, 2023 Giant turd? A statue(of a giant turd?) has been unveiled in Boston.The sculptural composition is called "Embrace". In fact, it is dedicated to Martin Luther King .Although, at first glance (and all subsequent glances) you can’t really say so.. pic.twitter.com/nFui24IBtY — Spartackus (@elskorpione) January 14, 2023 It's a giant something... Cutting off the heads seems to have been a poor choice: I know Boston's new #MLK statue is being unveiled today (which is fantastic!) but I can't shake the feeling that this view of "The Embrace" sculpture from this angle looks like two disembodied arms & hands hugging a butt. #bospoli #MLKDay pic.twitter.com/jswBHB3Eb5 — Catless Cat Lady (@chipgoines) January 13, 2023 Others have pointed out it has the Masonic "G" from the view above: “The Embrace” is a Masonic statue. You can see the G from the aerial rendering. This isn’t about MLK. Open your pic.twitter.com/CKxVTreEFr — Three Hawks (@ThreeHawks5) January 14, 2023 From Fox News: The four intertwined arms were inspired by a photo of the civil rights leader and his wife when they learned he had won the Nobel Peace Prize in 1964. https://t.co/tG5dm2jlKT — FOX 35 Orlando (@fox35orlando) January 14, 2023 Fox35 reports: Annual tributes and commemorations of the life and legacy of the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. began nationwide Friday and included the unveiling of a statue in Boston. The 20-foot-high bronze sculpture called "The Embrace" is said to be one of the country’s largest memorials dedicated to racial equity. When looking at the sculpture, you’ll see four intertwined arms — inspired by a photo of the civil rights leader and his wife, Coretta Scott King, when they learned he had won the Nobel Peace Prize in 1964. King first met his wife in Boston in the early 1950s, when he was a doctoral student in theology at Boston University and she was studying at the New England Conservatory of Music. "My parents’ time in Boston is often a forgotten part of their history – and the history of the movement they helped inspire," said Martin Luther King, III in a press release. "The Embrace is a commemoration of their relationship and journey and represents the meaningful role Boston served in our history." So sad that this will be the legacy: They really unveiled this statue in Boston Common yesterday. "The Embrace" pic.twitter.com/lxGy4NaWpK — historic-crypto.eth (@Historic_Crypto) January 14, 2023 Describe what YOU see first in the comments below: I feel like if this Embrace statue were a Rorschach test, i would fail miserably. pic.twitter.com/DyFJP3zVrX — Joey Eastman (@TheJoeyEastman) January 13, 2023

MUSLIM Left-wing Labour Member of Parliament, Tahir Ali, made a motion calling for a ban on “desecrations” of (Islamic) texts and (Muslim) prophets, eliciting a positive response from Prime Minister Keir Starmer. Breitbart Tahir Ali was representing the interests of the Muslim voters of his Birmingham Hall Green and Moseley constituency on Wednesday when he […]