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NOVEMBER 15,  2014

SHORT TAKES ON THE DRIFTING WRECKAGE – AT 11:25 P.M. ET: 

MAJOR HISTORICAL NEWS – From AFP:  "Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said Saturday that the Americas were discovered by Muslims in the 12th century, nearly three centuries before Christopher Columbus set foot there.  'Contacts between Latin America and Islam date back to the 12th century. Muslims discovered America in 1178, not Christopher Columbus,' the conservative president said in a televised speech during an Istanbul summit of Muslim leaders from Latin America.  'Muslim sailors arrived in America from 1178...'...A tiny minority of Muslim scholars have recently suggested a prior Muslim presence in the Americas, although no pre-Columbian ruin of an Islamic structure has ever been found."  Watch.  This will be something else to be used in the crusade to get rid of Columbus Day. 

CARING ABOUT CAIR –From BuzzFeed:  "WASHINGTON — The United Arab Emirates has listed two American Muslim organizations on its list of designated terrorist groups, according to an announcement released on state media on Saturday.The UAE has classified the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) and the Muslim American Society as terrorist groups, according to a story on the website of WAM, the official news agency.  Also reportedly designated as terror groups were the Muslim Brotherhood, the Muslim Association of Britain, and the charity Islamic Relief.  The list also covers groups widely thought of as terrorist groups, like ISIS, al-Qaeda, and the Taliban.  The new American additions to the list are not categorized as terrorist organizations by the U.S. government."  In fact, CAIR is widely regarded as a "mainstream" Muslim-American group, and often works with the Democratic Party.  The Emirates are basically telling American security agencies that they really don't understand who's living under our roof.  And the Emirates may well be right.  CAIR has a long history of denouncing anyone who raises questions about radical Islam.

NEW DEFENSE PROJECT – From Fox:  "SIMI VALLEY, Calif. – Wary of a more muscular Russia and China, Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel said Saturday the Pentagon will make a new push for fresh thinking and creative ideas about how the U.S. can keep and extend its military superiority despite tighter budgets and the wear and tear of 13 years of war.  Hagel announced a 'defense innovation initiative' that he likened to historic and successful campaigns during the Cold War to offset military advantages of U.S. adversaries. He described a 'game-changing' strategy to sharpen American's military edge in the face of budget impasses on Capitol Hill.  'We must change the way we innovate, operate and do business,' he said in remarks prepared for a defense forum at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library."  It would help to have a president who is pro-defense, and a Democratic Party that actually cares about defense. 

November 15, 2014       Permalink

THE LONELY PRESIDENT – QUOTE OF THE DAY – AT 12:10 P.M. ET:  Peggy Noonan has a very perceptive column about the loneliness of Barack Obama.  It is really not said in sympathy.  Obama put himself in this position.  From The Wall Street Journal: 

I have never seen a president in exactly the position Mr. Obama is, which is essentially alone. He’s got no one with him now. The Republicans don’t like him, for reasons both usual and particular: They have had no good experiences with him. The Democrats don’t like him, for their own reasons plus the election loss. Before his post-election lunch with congressional leaders, he told the press that he will judiciously consider any legislation, whoever sends it to him, Republicans or Democrats. His words implied that in this he was less partisan and more public-spirited than the hacks arrayed around him. It is for these grace notes that he is loved. No one at the table looked at him with colder, beadier eyes than outgoing Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid , who clearly doesn’t like him at all.

And...

The last time we saw a president so alone it was Richard Nixon, at the end of his presidency, when the Democrats had turned on him, the press hated him, and the Republicans were fleeing. It was Sen. Barry Goldwater, the GOP’s standard-bearer in 1964, and House Minority Leader John Rhodes, also of Arizona, who went to the White House to tell Nixon his support in Congress had collapsed, they would vote to impeach. Years later Goldwater called Nixon “The world’s biggest liar.”

But Nixon had one advantage Obama does not: the high regard of the world’s leaders, who found his downfall tragic (such ruin over such a trifling matter) and befuddling (he didn’t keep political prisoners chained up in dungeons, as they did. Why such a fuss?).

Nixon’s isolation didn’t end well.

COMMENT:  Read the whole column.  It's well worth it.  Remember when he was "Barack, come to save us"?  This is what happens when people worship leaders.  It usually doesn't work out.

November 15, 2014       Permalink

OBAMA THE HYPOCRITE – AT 11:38 A.M. ET:  Obama's phoniness never ceases to amaze me.  Investor's Business Daily notes that his current pose – defiance – comes right out of Saul Alinsky's "Rules for Radicals." 

Defiance: Bypassing Congress on amnesty, and the rest of President Obama's double-down response to the voters' rejection of his policies, should shock no one. "Never let up" is one of Saul Alinsky's "Rules For Radicals."

'Will Obama fade or fight?" asks the headline of a Los Angeles Times story reporting the details of how "an unbowed President Barack Obama" will, to quote the president, "squeeze every last little bit of opportunity" to enact the rest of his agenda over his final two years in office.

"Down But Not Out," Obama "Presses Ahead," says a New York Times headline to a similar story.
What a difference from even the Times's token "conservative" columnist David Brooks, who once upon a time declared of Democrats' success in the 2006 midterm elections: "The American public delivered a stunning electoral judgment against the Iraq War, the Republican Party and President Bush."

We didn't hear then from the establishment media about a "down but not out" George W. Bush pressing ahead. We did hear right after the new Congress convened in 2007, however, from none other than one Sen. Barack Obama that "removing of all U.S. combat forces from Iraq by March 31st, 2008" was "what the American people demanded in the November election."

COMMENT:  As they say, "My, how the mighty have fallen."  Obama has been a pathetic president; now he's a pathetic president stripped of both houses of Congress.  But I'm sure that, inspired by Saul, he will push on.  After all, totalitarians never bothered him.

November 15, 2014       Permalink

DAVID AGAIN  – AT 10:49 A.M. ET:  With a weak American president, and getting weaker all the time, we occasionally look to foreign leaders for a bit of inspiration.  British Prime Minister David Cameron, at his best, tells truths that mini me in the White House just doesn't want to hear – like Cameron's observations on Vladimir Putin at the G20 summit.  From Britain's Independent: 

It’s gunboat diplomacy of the most literal kind.

Vladimir Putin has stationed four warships close to Australian waters before the G20 leaders’ meeting of the most powerful world economies in Brisbane starts today. The President’s show of naval muscle comes at a time when Russia has drawn global criticism for its intervention in Ukraine, where it is still reportedly sending tanks, artillery and troops.

But it has left David Cameron less than impressed. “I didn’t feel it necessary to bring a warship myself to keep myself safe at this G20, and I’m sure that Putin won’t be in any danger,” he said last night.

Mocking Mr Putin’s machismo was more than just a joke. It was yet another dig at a man who has backed rebels and split Ukraine in arguably the most delicate European crisis so far this century.

And...

Mr Cameron made that warship aside – as well as once again comparing Russia’s annexation of part of Ukraine with the actions of Nazi Germany – 24 hours before he was due to meet Mr Putin today, raising the stakes with suggestions of more sanctions.

He added: “Every time there’s been a step in the wrong direction – whether that was an illegal referendum in Crimea, whether it was the incursion of Russian troops, whether it was destabilisaition – Europe has taken a step in a firm direction.”

COMMENT:  Our president would say nothing of the kind.  He's utterly respectful of our enemies.  It's our friends who have to worry.

November 15,  2014     Permalink

NOVEMBER 14,  2014

SHORT TAKES ON THE DRIFTING WRECKAGE – AT 11:55 P.M. ET: 

GETTING THERE – You already know that the House passed the Keystone Pipeline bill today.  Now the action moves to the Senate.  From The Hill:  "Supporters of the Keystone XL oil pipeline are nearing 60 votes in the Senate ahead of a vote next week on whether to approve the project...Sen. Mary Landrieu (D-La.) says she is 'confident' she can rally the 60 votes needed for a filibuster-proof majority in the upper chamber.  'It is ready for a vote and we have the 60 votes to pass it,' Landrieu said on Wednesday."  Problem is, Obama will probably veto it, setting up a confrontation with the old Congress.  When the new Congress is sworn in January, that confrontation will only grow worse.

OH, THE TENSION – Governor Terry McAuliffe of Virginia, a close ally of the Clintons, said today that Hillary will know if she's running for president within 60 days.  But he couldn't guarantee that she'll reveal her decision immediately.  I'd imagine it'll leak out.  Besides Clinton, the Dems have no other obvious candidate.  They've got to know early whether Hillary is running.  If she's not, they'll have to invent someone.  Maybe an Illinois senator with an exotic background. 

SIGN OF THE TIMES – From Fox:  "For years, boys and girls at South Arbor Charter Academy have been inspired by Heroes Hall – a corridor featuring murals that honored the Space Shuttle Columbia astronauts, Mother Teresa, Betsy Ross and Albert Einstein.  But many parents are furious after the principal had the murals replaced with paintings honoring President Obama, J.K. Rowling and Oprah.  'This is no longer a hall of heroes,' parent Craig Bergman told me. 'Now we have a hall of celebrities.'  The original mural had been a part of the Michigan charter school for years. It included a diverse group of national and global 'heroes' – from Gandhi to the astronauts who were killed when the Space Shuttle Columbia exploded over Texas.  Those images were replaced with President Obama, Oprah, Maya Angelou, "Harry Potter" author J.K. Rowling and Walt Disney."  I can't wait for them to replace George Gershwin with Snoop Dog.

November 14, 2014       Permalink

GREAT BRITAIN – AT 10:58 A.M. ET:   Britain is sometimes wobbly on foreign policy, to use a term that Maggy Thatcher liked.  But on this they're getting it right, and could teach us some lessons.  From Reuters: 

British nationals who become foreign fighters abroad could be prevented from returning home under tough new laws to deal with jihadists fighting in conflicts like Iraq and Syria, British Prime Minister David Cameron said on Friday.

A new counter-terrorism bill will also prevent airlines that do not comply with Britain's no-fly lists or security screening measures from landing on its territory, Cameron said in an address to Australia's parliament.

Britain's security threat level was raised to its second-highest level in August due to the risks posed by Islamic State fighters returning from Iraq and Syria. Security analysts say foreign fighters in Iraq and Syria now number in the thousands.

"We will shortly be introducing our own counter terrorism bill in the United Kingdom: new powers for the police at ports to seize passports, to stop suspects traveling and to stop British nationals returning to the UK, unless they do so on our terms, new rules to prevent airlines that don't comply with our no-fly lists, or our security screening measures from landing in the UK," Cameron said in Canberra, before heading to Brisbane for the Group of 20 Leaders Summit.

"We must ban extremist preachers from our countries. We must root out extremism from our schools, universities and prisons. As we do so, we must work with the overwhelming majority of Muslims, who abhor the twisted narrative that has seduced some of our people. We must continue to celebrate Islam as a great world religion of peace," he added.

Under the new powers, police will be able to seize passports to stop suspects traveling abroad and to stop British nationals returning unless they submit to screening processes.

COMMENT:  Cameron may not be Churchill, but he has his great moments.  By contrast, Obama may not be Lincoln, but...well, let's just leave it at that.

November 14, 2014       Permalink

APPALLING – AT 10:29 A.M. ET:  Eric Hoffer, the so-called "longshoreman philosopher" of the 1950s, used to say that all movements become businesses, then they become rackets.  And so it is with the civil rights movement, which long ago became a movement for the advancement of black leaders.  Black citizens be damned.  From The Hill: 

Black lawmakers are promoting the notion that seniority should be the paramount factor in deciding ranking member posts ahead of next week's Democratic committee elections.

Just to be clear, "ranking member" refers to the senior member of a committee on the minority side.  Right now, because Dems are a minority in the House, their senior member of every committee is called "the ranking member."  The post carries with it certain prestige and privileges. 

In a letter sent Thursday to fellow Democrats, Congressional Black Caucus Chairwoman Marcia Fudge (D-Ohio) said that, despite “very limited” cases when more junior members have jumped into top spots, “the seniority system has worked well and should be honored.”

“[T]hose who through years of service have gained significant expertise and knowledge should be given priority to lead our committees and sub-committees,” Fudge wrote.

The message pushes back against the one being delivered by House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.), who is promoting fellow California Rep. Anna Eshoo (D) over the more senior Rep. Frank Pallone (D-N.J.) for the ranking member position on the powerful Energy and Commerce Committee.

In her own “Dear Colleague” letter sent Monday, Pelosi argued that seniority should be “a consideration [but] not a determination” as members vote for committee leaders.

“[I]t is important to note our Caucus has voted in to Chair or Ranking Member positions Members who are not the more senior on their respective committees, including Henry Waxman, Energy and Commerce; Nita Lowey, Appropriations; Adam Smith, Armed Services; Elijah Cummings, Oversight and Government Reform; and Eliot Engel, Foreign Affairs,” Pelosi wrote.

Fudge acknowledged those cases, but characterized them as “rare instances [that] must be considered individually and in light of all facts and circumstances then present.”

COMMENT:  Did I ever think I'd be siding with Nancy Pelosi?  But on this she's right.  I mean, come on, one of the great goals of Congressional reformers has been to weaken the seniority system so that the best people are advanced.

Many of these black Congressmembers come from districts specifically designed to make it impossible for them to be defeated.  They just hang around, year after year, doing very little for their people.  Now they want their committee status guaranteed.

We're at the racket stage.

November 14, 2014        Permalink

FANATIC – AT 9:31 A.M. ET:  A new attempt is being made in Congress to get the Keystone Pipeline approved.  But President Obama won't budge.  It's becoming clear that he's learned nothing from the election, and really doesn't care what the people of America think.  In fact, he doesn't believe they think at all.  From Fox: 

President Obama would not budge on the Keystone pipeline ahead of a key House vote on Friday, indicating during a press conference that he wants to let a review process run its course even as lawmakers threaten to send a bill fast-tracking the project to his desk.

The president spoke during a joint press conference in Burma with opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi. As the House prepares to vote on the pipeline -- and the Senate is set to vote next week -- Obama made clear his position has not changed.

Obama said his administration believes the project should be judged on the basis of whether it accelerates climate change. Obama also insisted the pipeline would not be a “massive jobs bill” and would have no effect on U.S. gas prices.

The looming vote will mark the ninth time it has been voted on in the House as lawmakers look to finally secure approval of the delayed proposal after numerous environmental reviews, legal challenges to its route and politics.

But the pipeline was only put on the lame-duck Congress agenda because Louisiana Democratic Sen. Mary Landrieu pushed it on the Senate side -- in an apparent effort to not only boost the energy industry, but boost her own re-election bid in a tough runoff next month. Landrieu’s race for re-election goes to a runoff next month against GOP-hopeful Bill Cassidy. Landrieu is considered an underdog in that election.

White House spokesman Josh Earnest, traveling with Obama in Myanmar, told reporters that the president takes a "dim view" of legislative efforts to force action on the project. Earnest stopped short of threatening a veto, but reiterated Obama's preference for evaluating the pipeline through a long-stalled State Department review.

Obama has repeatedly ordered such reviews under pressure from environmental groups, who say the project would contribute to climate change.

COMMENT:  Does Obama ever tell the truth?   This pipeline has been studied and studied and studied.  It will do no harm, and help our relations with Canada, a nation Obama conspicuously ignores.

He'll veto the pipeline because he's a leftist radical who hates the oil industry, sides with environmental fanatics, and doesn't care what the people want. 

This man can do a lot of damage in the next two years.  He feels the totalitarian temptation.

November 14, 2014       Permalink

CRUELTY – AT 9:19 A.M. ET:   Johnny Carson used to say, "How quickly they forget."  Mary Landrieu has been a loyal Democratic senator, but even her own party is now ridiculing her.  From Fox: 

Had the Republicans been slightly less successful in the midterms, legions of expense-account reporters would now be in New Orleans, chronicling Mary Landrieu’s effort to save her seat.

With Democratic control of the Senate at stake, there would be an avalanche of stories about how the underdog from one of Louisiana’s most storied political families was fighting for her life in next month’s runoff.

Instead, she’s got this: “Mary Landrieu: Dead Woman Walking?”

That’s not a right-wing attack. It’s a headline on the liberal site Talking Points Memo.

The media narrative is that the senator is toast, and that may well be true. Landrieu edged Republican congressman Bill Cassidy in the primary, 42 to 41 percent, but another 14 percent went to another GOP candidate, Rob Maness. So it doesn’t take a rocket scientist to gauge that Cassidy should pick up most of Maness’ votes in the Dec. 6 runoff.

What’s more, the Democratic Party has yanked its financial support from Landrieu. Politics is a cold business.

But media coverage matters. Some of Landrieu's supporters may stay home if she’s deemed to be a goner. Indeed, NBC reporter Kasie Hunt came out and asked her, "Are you a lost cause?"

In an effort to salvage her candidacy, Landrieu, from an oil-rich state, has successfully pushed for a lame-duck Senate vote on the Keystone pipeline. But House Republicans have countered by having Cassidy sponsor the bill that would be sent to the White House--a vote could come today--and Landrieu says she doesn’t care if her name is off the legislation as long as the pipeline is approved.

What this is really about is separating herself from the president, since a major theme of Cassidy’s campaign—indeed, of many GOP campaigns--is that Landrieu voted in lockstep with Obama.

COMMENT:  Mary will probably be gone soon, but it really is a cruel business.  Harry Truman famously said that if you want a friend in Washington, get a dog.  The only industry I've been in that's worse is Hollywood.  Out there, if your movie fails, even your puppy won't walk with you.

November 14,  2014     Permalink