Malaysia's Slave System Gets Obama's Approval

Summary

The report from Zack Carter of the Washington Post highlights the Obama Administration's dilemma over the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP), a proposed trade deal. An amendment to combat human trafficking threatens to exclude Malaysia, known for serious violations, from the TPP. The administration's struggle to remove the anti-slavery provision for the sake of the trade deal raises questions about moral integrity and corporate influence in policy-making. The narrative also criticizes the inclusion of Brunei, which recently implemented Sharia law, further complicating the debate on human rights and trade.

Takeaways

• 📰 The Washington Post report by Zack Carter reveals a conflict between President Obama's support for the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) and the fight against human trafficking.
• 🌏 The TPP is a proposed free trade agreement involving 11 countries, including Malaysia, which has been criticized for its human rights record.
• 🔄 An amendment to a bill in the Senate aims to prevent fast-tracking trade deals with countries that tolerate human trafficking, which could exclude Malaysia from the TPP.
• 🏭 The Malaysian electronics industry is highlighted as a sector where forced labor, including sex slavery, is particularly prevalent.
• 🤔 The Obama Administration is in a difficult position, as it may need to oppose an anti-slavery provision to maintain the TPP as currently structured.
• 🗣️ The report suggests that the administration's stance could be seen as prioritizing corporate interests over moral principles.
• 📈 Critics argue that so-called 'free trade' deals like the TPP can lead to job losses and negatively impact the American middle class.
• 🤝 The U.S. has recently included Brunei in the TPP, a country that has implemented Sharia law, which raises questions about the consistency of the U.S.'s moral stance in international relations.
• 💡 The argument presented is that the U.S. should take a stronger moral stance by not engaging in trade with countries that have poor human rights records.
• 🔄 The script points out the hypocrisy of U.S. foreign policy, which claims to fight for freedom and democracy while engaging in trade with nations that do not uphold these values.
• 👥 The script criticizes both the Republican and Democratic parties for being too closely aligned with corporate interests and for not adequately representing the needs of the American middle class.

Q & A

What is the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) mentioned in the script?

The Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) is a proposed trade agreement that aims to promote economic growth; enhance innovation, productivity, and competitiveness; raise living standards; reduce poverty; and promote transparency, good governance, and enhanced labor and environmental protections. It has been a subject of controversy due to concerns about job outsourcing and impacts on national sovereignty.

Why is the human trafficking provision a threat to President Obama's trade agenda according to the script?

The human trafficking provision is a threat because it could potentially exclude countries like Malaysia, which has a record of human rights violations, from the TPP. This would disrupt the trade pact and complicate the administration's efforts to streamline the TPP through FastTrack powers.

What is the FastTrack provision mentioned in the script?

FastTrack is a trade negotiation authority that allows the U.S. Congress to give the President the power to negotiate international agreements that Congress can approve or disapprove but cannot amend or filibuster. The script suggests that the administration is seeking FastTrack powers to facilitate the TPP agreement.

Why is Malaysia a point of contention in the TPP discussions according to the script?

Malaysia is a point of contention because it has been identified by the U.S. State Department as having serious human trafficking violations, including forced labor and sex slavery, particularly in its electronics industry. The Senate's amendment to bar trade deals with such countries puts Malaysia at risk of being excluded from the TPP.

What is the Obama Administration's awkward position as described in the script?

The awkward position of the Obama Administration is that they are in a situation where they may have to oppose or strip out an anti-slavery provision from the FastTrack Bill in order to keep Malaysia in the TPP, which could be seen as prioritizing corporate interests over human rights.

What is the connection made in the script between the TPP and other controversial countries?

The script connects the TPP to other controversial countries by mentioning Brunei, which recently implemented Sharia law, and questions why the U.S. is willing to do business with countries that have implemented such laws, despite opposing them in other contexts like Afghanistan.

What is the script's stance on the moral implications of trade deals with countries that have poor human rights records?

The script criticizes the moral implications of engaging in trade deals with countries that have poor human rights records, such as those practicing slavery or implementing Sharia law, suggesting that the U.S. should not tolerate such practices for the sake of business.

What is the script's view on the role of corporations in shaping U.S. trade policy?

The script suggests that U.S. trade policy, including the TPP, is heavily influenced by corporate interests, to the extent that it questions the moral integrity of the administration in its approach to human rights issues in trade agreements.

How does the script characterize the Democratic and Republican parties' approach to trade deals?

The script characterizes both parties as being largely sold out to corporations and the rich, with the Democrats occasionally appearing more reasonable on social issues but ultimately also prioritizing corporate interests over the welfare of the American middle class in trade deals.

What is the script's perspective on the U.S. government's moral arguments for overseas interventions?

The script is highly skeptical of the U.S. government's moral arguments for overseas interventions, suggesting that they are often hypocritical and motivated more by geopolitical power, control, and economic interests rather than genuine concern for freedom and democracy.

What is the script's final message regarding the importance of scrutinizing government actions and rhetoric?

The script's final message emphasizes the importance of scrutinizing government actions and rhetoric, particularly in the context of trade deals and overseas interventions, to hold them accountable for their moral inconsistencies and to challenge the narratives they present to the public.

Outlines

00:00

😨 TPP and Human Trafficking Concerns

The video script discusses a report by Zack Carter from the Washington Post, which highlights a conflict between President Obama's support for the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) and a human rights issue. The TPP is a proposed trade agreement that critics argue could lead to job outsourcing. However, an amendment to a bill granting the President 'FastTrack' powers to streamline the TPP process could exclude countries that tolerate human trafficking, such as Malaysia, which has a record of serious violations including forced labor in the electronics industry. The Obama Administration is in a difficult position, as it must decide whether to support an anti-slavery provision that could exclude Malaysia from the TPP, thus potentially disrupting the trade deal. The script also criticizes the inclusion of Brunei in the TPP, a country that recently implemented Sharia law, suggesting a double standard in U.S. foreign policy.

05:04

🤔 The Moral Dilemma of Trade Deals

This paragraph delves into the moral and ethical implications of trade deals, particularly the TPP, in light of human rights concerns. It criticizes the Obama Administration's approach to the anti-slavery provision, suggesting that political and corporate interests may be prioritizing economic gains over ethical considerations. The speaker questions the sincerity of the U.S. government's stance on freedom and democracy, given its alliances and trade agreements with countries that have poor human rights records, such as Saudi Arabia. The paragraph argues that the true motivations behind foreign policy decisions are geopolitical power, control, and economic interests, rather than the promotion of freedom and democracy.

Keywords

💡Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP)

The Trans-Pacific Partnership is a proposed trade agreement among 11 Pacific Rim countries, aimed at promoting economic growth and job creation. In the video, it is criticized as a 'so-called free trade deal' that could potentially outsource more American jobs. The TPP is central to the video's theme, as it is the context for the discussion around human rights and trade policy.

💡FastTrack Powers

FastTrack Powers refer to the authority granted to the U.S. President to negotiate and sign trade agreements, which Congress can then approve or disapprove without amendments. The video mentions the Senate's consideration of granting these powers to President Obama for the TPP, which is a key point in the debate over the trade deal's negotiation process.

💡Human Trafficking

Human trafficking is a grave violation of human rights involving the trade of humans for the purpose of forced labor or commercial sexual exploitation. The script highlights an amendment that could prevent fast-tracking trade deals with countries that tolerate human trafficking, directly impacting the TPP due to Malaysia's involvement.

💡Malaysia

Malaysia is one of the 11 nations involved in the TPP talks. The video discusses the country's troubling human rights record, particularly its tolerance of human trafficking, which complicates its inclusion in the trade deal. The term is used to illustrate the moral and ethical dilemmas surrounding trade agreements.

💡State Department

The State Department in the U.S. is responsible for international relations and policy. The script mentions the State Department's list of countries with serious human trafficking violations, which includes Malaysia, showing the conflict between trade interests and human rights concerns.

💡Amendment

An amendment in this context refers to a proposed change to a bill or law. The video discusses an amendment that would bar the administration from fast-tracking trade deals with countries tolerating human trafficking, which puts the Obama Administration in an awkward position regarding the TPP.

💡Anti-Slavery Provision

The anti-slavery provision mentioned in the script is part of the amendment that aims to prevent trade deals with countries that tolerate slavery. The video emphasizes the Obama Administration's struggle with this provision, highlighting the moral conflict within trade policy.

💡Sharia Law

Sharia Law refers to a legal system based on Islamic principles. The script uses the implementation of Sharia Law in Brunei as an example of another country's human rights issues that are seemingly overlooked for the sake of trade deals, contrasting with the U.S.'s stance on freedom and democracy.

💡Corporatocracy

Corporatocracy is a term used to describe a society or government that is controlled by corporations. The video uses this term to criticize the influence of corporate interests on political decisions, particularly in the context of trade deals like the TPP.

💡Moral Backbone

Moral backbone refers to the strength of one's principles or values, especially in the face of difficult decisions. The video questions the Obama Administration's moral backbone in relation to the anti-slavery provision and the inclusion of countries with human rights issues in trade deals.

💡Progressive Administration

A progressive administration is one that supports social, political, and economic reforms. The video challenges the progressive label of the Obama Administration by pointing out the moral dilemmas and compromises made in the pursuit of trade deals like the TPP.

Highlights

Report from Zack Carter of the Washington Post discusses the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) and its potential impact on American jobs.

Concerns raised about the TPP potentially outsourcing more American jobs.

A plan to fight human trafficking could disrupt the TPP, particularly with regards to Malaysia's involvement.

The Senate is preparing to vote on a bill granting President Obama FastTrack powers for the TPP.

An amendment barring fast-tracking trade deals with countries tolerating human trafficking was approved by the Senate Finance Committee.

Malaysia, known for serious human trafficking violations, could be excluded from the TPP if the amendment passes.

The Obama Administration is in a difficult position, trying to remove an anti-slavery provision to maintain the TPP.

Criticism of the Administration's stance on slavery in the context of the TPP negotiations.

Inclusion of Brunei in the TPP despite its recent implementation of Sharia law raises questions about the U.S.'s moral stance.

The U.S.'s contradictory approach to countries implementing Sharia law in trade deals versus war efforts.

The debate over the moral implications of the TPP and the U.S.'s willingness to overlook human rights abuses for economic gain.

Critique of the Democratic party's record on social and economic issues, suggesting they often side with corporations.

The impact of past 'free trade' deals like NAFTA on the American middle class and factory jobs.

A call for a stronger moral stance from the U.S. government in international trade negotiations.

Skepticism towards the U.S.'s stated reasons for military intervention overseas, suggesting ulterior motives.

The hypocrisy of the U.S. maintaining alliances with countries that have poor human rights records, such as Saudi Arabia.

Transcripts

today we have a fascinating report out

from Zack Carter of the hington post and

I think this basically proves who Obama

is working for on the issue of the

trans-pacific partnership which is of

course the new so-called free trade deal

that will Outsource more American jobs

they say the following quote the biggest

threat to President Barack Obama's trade

agenda may be a plan to fight human

trafficking which threatens to reshuffle

a major trade pact that includes

Malaysia a nation with a troubling human

rights record the Senate is gearing up

to vote on a bill granting Obama's

so-called FastTrack powers to streamline

the trans-pacific partnership but a

seemingly uncontroversial human rights

provision is giving the administration

serious headaches last month the Senate

finance committee approved an amendment

that would bar the administration from

fast-tracking trade deals with countries

that tolerate human trafficking sounds

like a common sense provision to me does

it to you but the state department has

long included Malaysia on its list of

countries with serious human trafficking

violations as its government effectively

tolerates slavery including sex slavery

Force labor is particularly prevalent in

the Malaysian electronics Industry

Malaysia is one of the 11 Nations

involved in the TPP talks if the

amendment makes the final bill Malaysia

would have to be exiled from the TPP now

here is the stunning part of the article

quote that puts the Obama Administration

in the awkward position of figuring out

how to strip out an anti-slavery

provision from the FastTrack

Bill

what yes you heard that right I'm going

to read the sentence one more time this

is directly from the article on the

hington post this isn't from me this is

from them they say quote that puts the

administration in the awkward position

of fight figuring out how to strip out

an anti-slave ay provision from the

FasTrack

bill so in order

for business as usual to continue and in

order to serve his own corporate donors

President Obama is not totally sure that

slavery is

wrong you know anybody who's been

following the real in an ounce of the

transpacific partnership all this time

you might actually not be surprised

about this I know I said at the

beginning this is so stunning but if if

you really have known the ins and outs

of the TPP for the longest time this is

just like a oh yeah I could see that

because as we discussed before we did a

whole segment on it and I didn't hear

anybody else talk about this they just

recently allowed I don't know how to

pronounce it so forgive me either brune

or brunai that country into the

transpacific partnership deal they just

allowed them recently okay there were

articles from about a year ago which

spoke about how that country just

officially implemented Sharia law as

their official

system so we have a government that

looked at a country that just

implemented Sharia law and they go that

can be our business partner we can work

with them no problem but wait you guys

said that the one of the main reasons

you're fighting in Afghanistan is that

the Taliban can't take over more

territory because the Taliban implement

sharel La no we can't allow that freedom

and democracy is what we're about so

you're fighting a war because they're

trying to implement Sharia in

Afghanistan but when they implement it

in brune all of a sudden you're like no

that's totally fine and let's reward

them by doing a a trade deal with them

and putting them in the transpacific

partnership and not saying buus about

hey you might want to not do Sharia in

order to get into this deal they didn't

say anything they're totally fine with

it there's

whatever so in order to continue

business as usual and in order for the

the corporatocracy to continue to

flourish all over the world they're

willing to tolerate Sharia law and

slavery

slavery it it's

so beyond

gone and what I mean by that is an

efficient good functioning democracy and

political system it's just it's it's

nowhere to be seen poof

it's this is a debate that they're

having and they're casually writing

articles about it like and the Obama

Administration is off-put by an

anti-slavery

provision time to take a moral [ __ ]

stand man and look the argument coming

from the Obama Administration goes a

little something like this but if

America gets involved in it in this then

maybe we can limit just how bad the

slavery in Malaysia

is all or you can say uh no slavery at

all and then maybe we'll consider going

to your country so clean your act up and

then maybe we'll consider going in there

or you could take the approach I would

take which is I want to have nothing to

do with your shitty [ __ ] country

because you actually have slavery going

on right now how about that one and how

about saying the same thing to brune oh

you guys are doing Sharia that's nice

take a [ __ ] hike we're not doing a a

trade deal with you [ __ ] off look at

what you're doing look how you're

treating your people get your [ __ ]

together then maybe we'll consider it

this is these are the the liberal

Democrats the so-called liberal

Democrats in America these are the

progressives the progressive

Administration is like slavery or not H

should we what should we do with this

provision involving slavery just let it

slide whatever man let's just let's

argue on on behalf of Malaysia to keep

them in the

deal make no mistake about it man in

America you have the Republicans they

political party that's 100% sold out to

corporations and the rich and to to put

sprinkles on top of that they're in

favor of a Christian theocracy so

they're backwards on social issues and

totally backwards on economic issues

they're wrong about everything and the

Democrats you have the Democrats who are

somewhat reasonable on social issues

that's one of the bones that they throw

to the American public here boy good boy

oh here you want some gay marriage oh

now shut the [ __ ] up about everything

else so they're somewhat reasonable on

social issues once in a blue moon they

they throw a bone on economic issues but

by and large 80% of the time the

Democratic party is totally sold out to

corporations as well I mean look at uh

Bill Clinton with NAFTA for example same

thing so-called free trade deal helped

destroy the American middle class got

rid of so many factory jobs all the the

so-called free trade deals from all the

administrations Democratic and

Republican they just sell out the

American middle class and then they

expect us to like oh why don't you pick

between our two parties again why would

I want to pick [ __ ] both you guys you're

both [ __ ] terrible look at what

you're doing you're supposed to be a

progressive Administration and you're

like we got to find a way to get rid of

that anti-slavery provision because we

want to do business with the country

that does slavery where's your moral

[ __ ] backbone here's what's for damn

sure man after learning about this story

and others you and I both know whenever

they make some sort of moral argument

about why we need to do war overseas

immediately call [ __ ] on it because

we know it's [ __ ] we know it's

[ __ ] I mean if you're so concerned

about we care about freedom and

democracy that's why we fight we want to

keep the world free really so why is

Saudi Arabia one of our top allies they

just beheaded their 79th person this

year yesterday for doing drugs they also

have a Sharia system set up so what are

you talking about we believe in freedom

and democracy that's why we fight

overseas no you don't you're doing deals

with people who have slavery and you're

fighting to for them to preserve the

slavery don't tell me about freedom and

democracy the reason why you fight

overseas is the same reason why every

imperialist Power ever has fought

overseas you care about uh geopolitical

Power and you care about control and you

care about natural resources and money

and any lie you have to tell in the

process in order to continue this ruse

you'll do it