FF 02: May 2, 2017 News and Interview with Nick Moran of The Full Ratchet, Venture Capital

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U.S. News

Yesterday was May Day, May 1st, a public holiday with its roots in an ancient festival that celebrates Spring in many cultures. In the late 19th century, the same day, May 1st became known as the International Workers’ Day. In cities around the world yesterday, celebrations, labor rallies, and protests were seen. Several protests occurred in major cities across the U.S. with protesters’ messages varying. Some protesters called for universal healthcare and others chanted for the abolishment of the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agency in addition to calls for workers’ rights. A common theme of the protests appeared to be opposition to President Trump as many effigies of the President were seen at several rallies. Although many rallies were mostly peaceful, the Portland Police Department reported that rocks, lead balls, and full cans of pepsi were being thrown at police officers. Also, in New York City, police eventually dispersed a crowd in order to clear the streets and sidewalks.

Meanwhile in France, rallies turned into riots as buses were set ablaze and police officers were attacked with molotov cocktails.

President Trump officially declared May 1st as Law Day in an official proclamation. “I urge all Americans, including government officials, to observe this day by reflecting upon the importance of the rule of law in our Nation and displaying the flag of the United States in support of this national observance.”

Link to Presidential Proclamation (Law Day): https://www.whitehouse.gov/the-press-office/2017/05/01/president-donald-j-trump-proclaims-may-1-2017-law-day-usa

In other news, the Department of Defense released a military sexual assault report that stated 14,900 military service members were sexually assaulted last year which is 5,400 fewer than the 20,300 sexual assault victim reports estimated in 2014. The departed also said that it will align with the advice of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in trying to build safer military communities.

DOD Report on Latest Military Sexual Assault: https://www.defense.gov/News/Article/Article/1168765/dod-releases-latest-military-sexual-assault-report/source/GovDelivery/

Late Sunday night, Congress reached a deal on a $1.2 trillion spending bill that will keep the U.S. government operating. Funds for building additional borders walls were not included in the deal.

The bill can be found on our website under today’s show.

Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2017: https://rules.house.gov/bill/115/hr-244

FEMA, the Federal Emergency Management Agency continues to be concerned about the storm on the lower U.S. that lead to the death of several people and caused severe flooding and destruction. From the White House daily briefing:

Please visit our website for FEMA’s Flood Map Service Center where you can enter location information and obtain a flood map for your area.

FEMA Flood Map Service Center: https://msc.fema.gov/portal

A man, armed with a large knife, killed on person and injured three other during an attack at the University of Texas at Austin campus. Police did not immediately identify a motive.

A separate deadly attack occurred at an apartment complex in San Diego where a man opened fire, killing one person and injuring several others. Police are investigating the incident.

In Tech News

SpaceX launched a Falcon 9 rocket on Monday that is widely reported to have carried sensitive government equipment. The launch was conducted at the Kennedy Space Center in Florida and was a success. The Falcon 9 is 230 feet tall and can carry a payload of 50,000 pounds into low earth orbit. You can visit spacex.com/falcon9 for the full specs of this unique rocket.

Falcon 9: http://www.spacex.com/falcon9

Apple will report its quarterly earnings on Tuesday with iPhone sales expected to have risen slightly. However, both the consumer market and the financial markets eagerly await the revealing of the next series of iPhones with expectation high that Apple will deliver interesting technology this fall on the 10 year anniversary of the first iPhone.

Today’s Guest

Nick Moran, host of The Full Ratchet and General Partner at New Stack Ventures.

The Full Ratchet Podcast: https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/full-ratchet-vc-venture-capital-angel-investors-startup/id888084300?mt=2

Twitter: https://twitter.com/TheFullRatchet