Please note that you can leave a comment on any of our posts at our Facebook page.  Subscribers can also comment at length at our Angel's Corner Forum.

Our Angel's Corner archive is here.

AUGUST 26,  2016

Editor's note:  We have many distinguished readers, including William Stroock, prominent military historian and author of a number of respected military novels.  I want to recommend Will's latest, "To Survive the Earth," a speculative novel dealing with an alien invasion.  It's available in paperback, and on Kindle.  From different perspectives, Stroock shows us what an alien invasion might look like, and how the human race might respond.  Some might call it science fiction, but it's much more, for the portraits of people leaving their homes to find protection remind us of what might happen in a nuclear exchange, or, on a smaller level, a cross-border attack into Texas.  Check it out.  You won't be sorry.

SHORT TAKES ON THE DRIFTING WRECKAGE – AT 11:58 P.M. ET: 

A COMMERCIAL BREAK – FROM LONDON'S DAILY MAIL:   A software company that sells a brute-force data erasure program is boasting that its technology gave Hillary Clinton the power to 'wipe' her private homebrew email server before it fell into the hands of the FBI.  Application developer Andrew Ziem wrote in a Thursday night press release that his BleachBit software prevented the FBI from accessing emails that Clinton deleted.  'Last year when Clinton was asked about wiping her email server, she joked, "Like with a cloth or something?" It turns out now that BleachBit was that cloth.'  When Windows, Mac OS, Linux or other operating systems 'delete' files, their entries in a hard drive's directory are erased but the core data typically remains in place.  BleachBit is one of many software packages that go further, 'zeroing out' the data itself so it can't be pieced back together again by hackers or forensic examiners.  This is something to be proud of?

NUTS – FROM CBS:   BOSTON (CBS) – New concerns arise about the mental health of students on college campuses all across the country.  Dr. Gene Beresin, a psychiatrist and Executive Director of The Clay Center for Young Healthy Minds at Massachusetts General Hospital, says 50% to 60% of college students have a psychiatric disorder.  “What I’m including in that is the use of substances, anxiety, depression, problems with relationships, break-ups, academic problems, learning disabilities, attentional problems,” says Dr. Beresin. “If you add them all up 50% doesn’t seem that high.”  Some undergraduates at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) agree.  “People go through tough times,” says Dane Erickson, a rising junior from Naples, Florida. “It’s really stressful sometimes here at school.”  “I know a couple of friends who had a difficult first semester last year,” explains Maddie Burgoyne, a rising sophomore from Michigan.  Dr. Beresin says the suicide rate in college in astronomical. “A college student kills himself every day,” he says.   Yes, college is stressful, and it's being made more stressful by the demands of political correctness, which attempt to mold the student into an unthinking, unfeeling zombie.  Not good for mental health.

A BIT OF BOTHER IN NEW YORK – FROM THE NEW YORK POST:   The NYPD has a message for revelers taking part in Brooklyn’s J’Ouvert festival next weekend: Don’t shoot.  The 71st Precinct in Crown Heights posted fliers Thursday warning festival-goers to refrain from violence during the annual predawn Labor Day celebration.  “This community will no longer tolerate this violence,” the fliers say. “Do not shoot anyone. Do not stab anyone.  Every act of violence will be fully investigated and prosecuted. This year celebrate J’Ouvert and keep it safe.”  The flier also reminds residents that two people were killed last year during J’Ouvert, a pre-dawn street procession before the West Indian American Day Parade.  Strange times.  The police have to remind the citizens not to murder anyone.

August 26, 2016     Permalink

LITTLE BY LITTLE, THE TRUTH COMES OUT – AT 11:22 A.M. ET:   Much concern has been expressed about the background of Huma Abedin, the aide who is probably closest to Hillary Clinton.  Seems she has a bit of an editorial past, and she wasn't doing work for National Geographic.  From London's Daily Mail: 

An article in the Muslim journal where Huma Abedin was assistant editor claimed Bill Clinton bombed Saddam Hussein to deflect from his Monica Lewinsky affair.

The claim made made in an article published in the Journal of Muslim Minority Affairs, where Abedin was a member of the editorial board - the group of people who decide what is published in the academic journal.

It is the latest bombshell to emerge from the archives of the journal, whose editor-in-chief is Abedin's mother, Saleha Mahmood Abedin, an academic in Saudi Arabia.

Abedin, who is not an academic, has been Hillary Clinton's closest aide since spending time as an intern at the White House, at exactly the time the Monica Lewinsky scandal was unfolding.

But the version of events published in her journal is one which is unlikely to be embraced by the presidential candidate, and especially not by Bill Clinton.

It is outlined in a provocative article published in 2002, and headlined: 'Arab/Muslim 'Otherness': The Role of Racial Constructions in the Gulf War and the Continuing Crisis with Iraq.'

The article was written by Sina Ali Muscati who was the time described as a 'second year law student' at the University of Ottawa. His academic credentials were not declared.

COMMENT:  Oh, I want to be there when Bill and Huma have a talk about this.  I really want to be in that room.  I have a feeling that Hillary will be taking a nap.

Of all the candidates available for the job, why would Hillary pick Huma Abedin?

August 26,  2016     Permalink

WELL SAID – QUOTE OF THE DAY – AT 9:58 A.M. ET:   We regularly report on the madness and extreme immaturity that have taken over our institutions of "higher" learning.  But there are voices of resistance, and one of them is the University of Chicago.  (Disclosure:  I am an alumnus.)  In recent days the U of C has issued two remarkable statements that act as battle cries against the forces of darkness.

First, about those "safe spaces" that have become fashionable.  From Intellectual Takeout: 

The University of Chicago recently made it clear to its crop of incoming students that academic freedom and inquiry remain pillars at the institution, and that the university does not support "so-called" trigger warnings or offer safe spaces that allow students "to retreat from ideas and perspectives at odds with their own. Here is how the university welcomed its incoming class of 2020:

Welcome and congratulations on your acceptance to the college at the University of Chicago. Earning a place in our community of scholars is no small achievement and we are delighted that you selected Chicago to continue your intellectual journey.

Once here you will discover that one of the University of Chicago’s defining characteristics is our commitment to freedom of inquiry and expression. … Members of our community are encouraged to speak, write, listen, challenge, and learn, without fear of censorship. Civility and mutual respect are vital to all of us, and freedom of expression does not mean the freedom to harass or threaten others. You will find that we expect members of our community to be engaged in rigorous debate, discussion, and even disagreement. At times this may challenge you and even cause discomfort.

And then, the coup de grace:

Our commitment to academic freedom means that we do not support so called ‘trigger warnings,’ we do not cancel invited speakers because their topics might prove controversial, and we do not condone the creation of intellectual ‘safe spaces’ where individuals can retreat from ideas and perspectives at odds with their own.

I love it, I love it, I love it.  It's about time someone said it.

And this, by the university's president, Robert J. Zimmer.  From the Wall Street Journal:

Over the years, universities have come under attack from a range of groups, both external and internal, that demand the silencing of speakers, faculty, students and visitors. The attack is sometimes driven by a desire of an individual or group not to have its authority questioned. Other times it derives from a group’s moral certainty that its particular values, beliefs or approaches are the only correct ones and that others should adhere to the group’s views. Some assert that universities should be refuges from intellectual discomfort and that their own discomfort with conflicting and challenging views should override the value of free and open discourse.

We have seen efforts to suppress discussion of Charles Darwin’s work, to insist upon particular political perspectives during the McCarthy era, to impose exclusionary acts of racial and religious discrimination, and to demand compliance with various forms of “moral” behavior. The silencing being advocated today is equally as problematic. Every attempt to legitimize silencing creates justification for others to restrain speech that they do not like in the future.

Universities should be clear about their core educational mission—to provide students with the most enriching education possible. We cannot shortchange our students. This means that questioning and challenge must flourish.

Universities cannot be viewed as a sanctuary for comfort but rather as a crucible for confronting ideas and thereby learning to make informed judgments in complex environments. Having one’s assumptions challenged and experiencing the discomfort that sometimes accompanies this process are intrinsic parts of an excellent education. Only then will students develop the skills necessary to build their own futures and contribute to society.

COMMENT:  That is all very good stuff.  I hope that the example set by Chicago will now spread, but that will mean standing up to the political left, and that is no easy mission.

August 26, 2016       Permalink

OUR MORIBUND ECONOMY – AT 9:46 A.M. ET:  The numbers are depressing, especially after almost eight years of hope 'n change leadership.  Hillary cannot successfully run on this, but the question is whether Trump can exploit the sour economy.  From Reuters:

WASHINGTON, (Reuters) - U.S. economic growth was a bit more sluggish than initially thought in the second quarter as businesses aggressively ran down stocks of unsold goods, offsetting a spurt in consumer spending.

Gross domestic product expanded at a 1.1 percent annual rate, the Commerce Department said on Friday in its second estimate of GDP. That was slightly down from the 1.2 percent rate reported last month.

The revision also reflected more imports than previously estimated as well as weak spending by state and local governments. The economy grew at a 0.8 percent pace in the first quarter. It grew 1.0 percent in the first half of 2016.

The revision to second-quarter GDP growth was in line with economists' expectations. The economy has struggled to regain momentum since output started slowing in the last six months of 2015, which puts it in danger of stalling.

While data so far for the third quarter has been mixed, a strong labor market should continue to support consumer spending and underpin growth in the coming quarters. Output will also likely get a boost as businesses restock warehouses after liquidating inventories in the second quarter.

The government also reported that after-tax corporate profits fell at a 2.4 percent rate last quarter after increasing at an 8.1 percent pace in the first quarter. Weak profits could limit an anticipated rebound in business spending.

With profits declining, an alternative measure of growth, gross domestic income, or GDI, increased at only a 0.2 percent rate in the second quarter, the weakest since the first quarter of 2013. GDI measures the economy's performance from the income side. It increased at a 0.8 percent pace in the first quarter.

COMMENT:  When economies seriously improve, you sense it in the morale of the population.  I'm not sensing any large-scale smiling.   Morale is low.  Many clearly fear for their children's future.  Happy days aren't here again.  This should have been an easy Republican year.  That's another discussion.

August 26, 2016       Permalink

AUGUST 25,  2016

SHORT TAKES ON THE DRIFTING WRECKAGE – AT 11:56 P.M. ET:  

MORE COLLEGE INSANITY – FROM WALTER WILLIAMS AT FRONTPAGEMAG.COM:  Hampshire College will offer some of its students what the school euphemistically calls "identity-based housing." That's segregated housing for students who — because of their race, culture, gender or sexual orientation — have "historically experienced oppression." I'd bet the rent money that Hampshire College will not offer Jewish, Irish, Polish, Chinese or Catholic students segregated housing. Because there is no group of people who have not faced oppression, Hampshire College is guilty of religious and ethnic discrimination in its housing segregation policy.  It's a very far-left joint.  I can't imagine them changing their segregationist policy.

PAY TO PLAY – FROM THE WASHINGTON FREE BEACON:   Drug companies that have donated to Hillary Clinton’s foundation received most of the contract money from an international tuberculosis initiative after the foundation was brought on to manage the initiative’s procurement operation, public records show.  Two of every three dollars spent acquiring anti-tuberculosis drugs through the program, which is administered by the World Bank, have gone to two companies—Swiss health care giant Novartis and Indian drug company Lupin Ltd.—that together have donated up to $130,000 to the Clinton Foundation.  And what kind of message does it send to young people if Hillary is elected, despite all the ugly revelations? 

I'D RATHER HAVE KING KONG AS A BUYER – FROM THE DAILY CALLER:  A country which housed 9/11 mastermind Khalid Sheik Mohammed for years just bought a 10% stake in the Empire State Building.  The Qatar Sovereign Wealth Fund’s investment in the Empire State building is an effort to diversify Qatar’s investment portfolio, as it continues to take a hit from from low oil prices. Qatar’s investment fund is directly connected to the Qatari Royal Family, which maintains financial ties with terrorist groups like al-Qaida and the Islamic State.  U.S. officials had a plane waiting to take off to Qatar’s capital city in 1996, but Mohammed escaped after Qatari government officials tipped him off.   Nothing shocks me about New York City any longer.  If a guy wearing a swastika had the cash, they'd sell him City Hall.

August 25, 2016       Permalink

GRAND ADMIRAL KERRY IS ON THE CASE – AT 10:33 A.M. ET:  The Syrian horror continues to haunt us.  It is ghastly, and represents another Obama failure.  From AFP:

After a scathing UN investigation, the White House said Wednesday it was “impossible to deny” that Syria had launched chemical weapon attacks, while calling for President Bashar al-Assad’s regime to be held accountable.

“It is now impossible to deny that the Syrian regime has repeatedly used industrial chlorine as a weapon against its own people,” National Security Council spokesman Ned Price said.

“The United States will work with our international partners to seek accountability through appropriate diplomatic mechanisms, including through the United Nations Security Council.”

Wow, is that tough.  We're going to seek "accountability."  Does that mean traffic court?

A UN investigation has established that President Bashar al-Assad’s forces carried out at least two chemical attacks in Syria and that Islamic State jihadists used mustard gas as a weapon, according to a report seen by AFP on Wednesday.

The panel was able to identify the perpetrators of three chemical attacks carried out in 2014 and 2015, but was unable to draw any conclusions in the other six cases that it has been investigating over the past year.

Price said the findings “present yet another opportunity for all nations to speak with one voice to address these heinous crimes and to make it clear that the use of chemical weapons is intolerable.”

That is likely to be seen as a veiled message to Russian leader Vladimir Putin, among others.

COMMENT:  I'm sure Putin is quivering in his boots.  It's so pathetic, our lack of influence.  Obama really believes that going to the UN will produce results.  This is what happens when a child is elected president.

August 25, 2016        Permalink

IT MAY WORK; ON THE OTHER HAND... – AT 9:56 A.M. ET:  The emerging strategy in Hillary Clinton's camp seems to be to run out the clock, hoping that Trump will not catch up.  This used to be called "sitting on your lead."  May work.  May not.  From the Politico: 

She is not planning on sitting for another televised armchair confessional to rehash regrets about a private email server. Nor is the campaign setting up the kind of war room employed last year to discredit a book that aimed to expose a quid-pro-quo relationship between Clinton Foundation donors and State Department officials.

With 75 days until Election Day and new emails once again casting a pall over her campaign, Hillary Clinton aims to “run out the clock,” confidants say, on the latest chapters of the overlapping controversies that have dogged her campaign since the start.

According to allies and operatives close to the campaign, Clinton’s team thinks “they can ride out” any negative reaction to a set of new emails that show Clinton Foundation officials trying to set up State Department meetings for donors during her tenure as the nation's top diplomat.

“That doesn’t mean no response,” one Clinton team insider said, “but a muted one rather than a five-alarm fire.”

It's a strategy borne, in part, of a belief held deeply by Clinton herself that the email controversy is a fake scandal and that voters are as sick of it as the candidate herself — and by the profound weaknesses of Clinton's opponent.

In the campaign’s view, the emails that surfaced this week do not advance the foundation storyline; while emails obtained by the conservative group Judicial Watch shed light on the open line of communication between Clinton’s top aides and foundation officials, there is no proof positive that donors received special access or treatment from the government.

Plus, the campaign thinks Clinton’s commanding lead over Donald Trump in both national and battleground state polls gives her freedom to not comment — indeed, largely ignore — the disclosure this week that the FBI found nearly 15,000 new emails Clinton did not voluntarily hand over to the State Department last year.

COMMENT:  Sounds like a very risky strategy to me.  And how about that "commanding lead" the Clinton people feel they have?  I'm seeing more and more polls suggesting that Trump is closing the gap after some very bad weeks and some self-inflicted wounds. 

If the election were held today, Clinton would win.  But, as the political class likes to say, the election isn't being held today.  It's more than two months away. 

The Clinton strategy also does not take account of how unpopular Hillary Clinton really is.  She's been nationally famous for 25 years, about the same amount of time Franklin D. Roosevelt was famous until is death in 1945.  There's very little upside left for Hillary. 

I suspect that, underlying the Clinton strategy is the belief that Trump will go off-message again and start to drop in the numbers.  That may well happen.  But what if it doesn't?

August 25, 2016        Permalink

MAJOR ADVANCE IN FEELING GOOD – AT 9:38 A.M. ET:  We're so excited to bring you the latest push forward in making college students feel good each day as they fight the oppression of the greater society.  From the College Fix: 

Virginia Tech’s Intercultural Engagement Center is set to host a large welcome back campuswide gathering today among students, faculty and staff that will employ nametags with color-coded dots – green, yellow and red – so participants can indicate whether they are comfortable being talked to or not.

“[Y]ou’ll be creating a nametag for yourself as you join us in community,” the center states on its Fall 2016 Welcome Receptions and Community Kick-Off Facebook page. “ … Add a green, yellow, or red dot to indicate your color communication.”

Organizers then go on to explain:

GREEN – The person is actively seeking communication; they may have trouble initiating conversations, but want to be approached by people interested in talking.

YELLOW – The person only wants to talk to people they recognize, not by strangers or people they only know from the internet. The person might approach strangers to talk, and that is okay; the approached person is welcome to talk back if that is the case.

RED – The person does not want to talk to anyone, or only wants to talk to a few people. Please do not approach someone with a red sticker.

In effect, an event hosted by a campus “engagement” center is concerned some “engagement” might make students and faculty feel uncomfortable, and will use the nametags as a way to turn the intercultural gathering into something of a safe space.

Phone calls and emails by The College Fix to the campus spokesman on why this precaution was necessary were not immediately responded to late Wednesday.

COMMENT:  And to think, those colors were there all the time.  We just didn't recognize how they could be used to make us a kinder, more understanding society.  I am ashamed.

Please take this article to your child's school and demand the oppressor-class administrators inroduce those name tags immediately.  Available at Staples.

August 25,  2016     Permalink