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FEBRUARY 24,  2018

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

A GENDER OFFENSE – FROM FOX:   There was a little bit of confusion during the medal ceremony for Men’s Olympic Curling on Saturday at the Pyeongchang Games.  After the victorious American teammates took their place on the top step of the podium and gold medals were draped around their necks, they noticed they'd received the awards engraved for the women's winners.  Only Joe Polo, the team’s alternate, received the correct men’s medal, WNBC reported.  No sweat, though. The mixup was quickly fixed and the men got the appropriate medals they deserved.  I am militant.  I see anti-male sexism here.  Heads must roll.  This is a grave offense.  Do not accept apologies.

THE FUTURE? – FROM THE SAN FRANCISCO CHRONICLE:  Robot cars without drivers could be on California streets by early spring.  Long-awaited state regulations for autonomous cars without human drivers may be approved Monday by a legal compliance agency, according to the state Department of Motor Vehicles, which submitted the rules to the Office of Administrative Law on Jan. 11.   A thumbs-up would open a 30-day public notice period, during which companies can apply for permits to test the cars. California could begin issuing such permits April 2, according to spokeswoman Jessica Gonzalez.  “I think we’ll definitely see some companies applying for driverless testing permits right away,” she said. “Manufacturers will want to be the first ones.”  Who wants this?  All the fun is being taken out of driving.   

HYPOCRISY LIVES – FROM THE WASHINGTON TIMES:  As France, Germany and Italy chastised President Trump for rejecting the Paris climate accord in June and mocked the U.S. for turning its back on the environment, their nations were busy importing record amounts of American coal.  The U.S., federal data show, is seeing something of a coal renaissance, but the boom — partly the result of Mr. Trump’s aggressive policies to roll back Obama-era regulations on the fuel — largely has benefited foreign markets. Some of the biggest buyers are also the biggest critics of the Trump administration’s climate policy, including China and leading European nations that now claim to be the world’s leaders on fighting global warming.  The U.S. last year produced 773 million short tons of coal, 45 million more than 2016. That was the largest year-to-year increase in nearly two decades, government numbers show.  Does anyone still care what Western Europe thinks?   It's a great museum, but the civilization is dying. 

February 24,  2018     Permalink

GUN WARS – AT 12:41 P.M. ET:  I am not a member of the NRA.  (I was at one time.)  But I think the group is often treated unfairly, blamed for killings when the blame always resides with the murderer.

Now some corporations, with their usual spines of Jell-O, are canceling commercial agreements with the NRA, fearing their liberal customers.  Some cities are making it clear that they won't welcome NRA conventions.

But a pro-NRA backlash is building.  From Fox:

The governors of Kansas and Nebraska are each opening their doors to the National Rifle Association’s annual convection after a top Dallas official suggested the gun rights group find a different host city.

Nebraska Gov. Pete Ricketts, a Republican, took to Twitter on Friday to say that he and other residents in the Cornhusker State “love our constitutional rights” and welcome the convection in their state.

Kansas Gov. Kris Kobach has also invited the group.

“I’ve already reached out to the @NRA and urged them to bring the #NRA convention to #KS.,” Kobach tweeted Friday. “Kansans love our right to keep and bear arms. Kansas is the most pro-gun state in America. Our right to keep and bear arms const. amendment passed by greater margins than any other state.”

Their remarks follow Dallas Mayor Pro Tem Dwaine Caraway, who in the aftermath of the deadly Valentine’s Day shooting at a Florida high school, said the NRA should “reconsider” coming to his city because “there will be marches and demonstrations.”

COMMENT:  It might be more thoughtful if the mayor pro tem would address the crime problem in his city.  Barring the NRA won't save one life.

It might also be wise if some of these self-righteous fools who are grandstanding this issue would team with the NRA in teaching gun safety.  But that's what grown-ups do.

February 24,  2018     Permalink

AND IN THE REAL WORLD – AT 11:51 A.M. ET:   We always like to remind readers that, in the midst of our domestic troubles and scandals, there are the risks of the outside world.  A war in some far-off place can ultimately result in the death of a soldier from Des Moines. 

The war in Syria has gotten very hot again.  The casualties are ghastly.  From AFP: 

Douma, Syria (AFP) — New airstrikes on the Syrian rebel enclave of Eastern Ghouta on Saturday took the civilian death toll from seven days of devastating bombardment to more than 500, after the United Nations again delayed a vote on a ceasefire.

More than 120 children have been among the dead in the bombing campaign that the regime launched last Sunday on the enclave just outside Damascus, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said.

The Britain-based monitor of the war said at least 29 civilians were killed in Saturday’s strikes, including 17 in the main town of Douma.

It has said the strikes are being carried out by Syrian and Russian forces. Moscow, which intervened militarily in support of its Damascus ally in 2015, has denied any direct involvement in the Eastern Ghouta bombardment.

US President Donald Trump on Friday said Russia’s recent actions in Syria were a “disgrace”.

COMMENT:  Of course, the American media will not point out that, eight years ago, there were no Russian forces in the Mideast.  It was the blunders of Field Marshal Obama and Grand Admiral Kerry that invited them in.  If there was any collusion with Russia, it was done by the Obama crowd.

But nothing to see there, nothing to see.  Let's just move on and blame Trump.

February 24, 2018       Permalink

YES, IT HAPPENS – AT 11:14 A.M. ET:  Bigotry and discrimination are wrong.  I stress the word "all." Reverse discrimination, favoring one group over another to "improve society" is just as wrong.  Some innocent person or group gets hurt.   Note the story coming out of ABC.  From Page Six: 

WABC/Channel 7 bosses Dave Davis and Camille Edwards are out amid two discrimination lawsuits from employees.

Last fall, WABC sports reporter Laura Behnke filed a discrimination lawsuit against Davis and Edwards, claiming she wasn’t promoted to the main sports reporter position because she is a white woman. Behnke later left WABC in New York when her contract expired.

Matthew Lamattina, another employee, filed a separate discrimination lawsuit against Edwards last October.

Now, Page Six has learned that both Davis and Edwards have left the company.

WABC announced Davis’s retirement Thursday in a news release.

In Davis’ departing memo to staff, which was obtained by Page Six, the WABC president explained that he wouldn’t be working another day.

“Having decided this, I think it best to move on quickly,” Davis wrote in his email to staff. “No time like the present. Leaving a place and people you care for is always difficult, but this is the right time.”

COMMENT:   I know people who've been victims of reverse discrimination, and it's a bitter pill.  Some of them worked most of their lives to qualify for a position, only to be turned down because they didn't fit within a quota.  That is not a way to solve society's problems. 

February 24,  2018     Permalink

FEBRUARY 23,  2018

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

FAREWELL – FROM FOX:  Award-winning actress Nanette Fabray, known for her roles in “The Band Wagon” and “Caesar’s Hour,” passed away Thursday at 97 years old, according to her family.
Fabray’s son, Dr. Jamie MacDougall, told The Associated Press that his mother died at her home in Palos Verdes Estates. He told the Los Angeles Times that she passed from natural causes. The starlet began her successful career at the age of 3, singing and dancing in Vaudeville performances as Baby Nanette.  Over the course of decades in show business, Fabray racked up a number of accolades. She earned a Tony award for her role in the 1949 musical “Love Life,” as well as a nod for her part in “Mr. President.” She earned three Emmy awards – two for “Caesar’s Hour” and one for best comedienne, the Times reported.   She was one of the best comic actors  in the golden age of Hollywood. 

THERE WILL BE A PARADE – FROM THE POLITICO:  President Donald Trump’s plans for a White House-backed military parade are beginning to take shape.  The president has directed the Department of Defense to organize a parade that would take place on Nov. 11 – Veterans Day – according to an unclassified Feb. 20 memo written by National Security Adviser H.R. McMaster.  The memo, which was summarized to POLITICO by a senior administration official, was sent from McMaster to Secretary of Defense James Mattis. It says that Trump wants Mattis to brief him on “concepts of operation for this event.”  The memo also said that the parade route should begin at the White House and end at the Capitol. This was laughed at when Trump first proposed it.  And, of course, the usual suspects declared Trump a militarist, a would-be dictator and all related labels.  But don't underestimate Trump's ability to pull off a spectacular event, dedicated to veterans.  The intellectual snobs will turn their collective noses up, but the American people will love it.

TRUMP GETS IT RIGHT – FROM BREITBART:  Thursday, during a meeting at the White House on preventing school shootings, President Donald Trump said gun-free zones in schools are part of the problem.
Trump said, “We have to harden the schools, not soften them up. A gun-free zone to a killer or somebody that wants to be a killer, that’s like going in for ice cream. That’s like, here I am, take me. We have to get smart on gun-free zones. When they see it says this is a gun-free zone, that means nobody has a gun except them. Nobody will be shooting bullets in the other direction. And they see that as such a beautiful target. They live for that.”  As usual, the president's words were awkward, but he speaks certain truths that clarify a situation and expose the face of so-called "progressive" policies.  He is, of course, fully correct about gun-free zones.  He is speaking common sense. Judging by his rising approval ratings, he's getting through to millions of Americans.

February 23, 2018       Permalink

IVANKA SHINES – AT 11:35 A.M. ET:   The first daughter is in South Korea, representing the United States at the closing of the Olympic Games.  Let's see how the press treats this accomplished young woman.  From the Daily Mail: 

Ivanka Trump arrived in South Korea on Friday where she met President Moon Jae-in for dinner, ahead of a weekend that will be spent cheering on Team USA at the Winter Olympics.     

The first daughter's arrival in the country is a deliberate riposte to North Korea after Kim Jong-un sent his sister Kim Yo-jong to the opening ceremony of the Winter Games, along with an army of 100 cheerleaders, completely upstaging Vice President Mike Pence in the process.

Interestingly, Yo-jong was referred to by many as 'the Ivanka of North Korea' - however on Thursday Pence blasted her in a scathing attack against her brother, and her country's 'murderous' regime, describing her as 'the central pillar of the most tyrannical and oppressive regime on the planet'  

Now, 36-year-old Ivanka will have another opportunity to potentially forge connections with the country; she will watch the closing ceremony on Sunday alongside Kim Yong-chol, head of North Korea's national intelligence bureau - with her father, President Trump, tweeting his support of her trip, and praising her as the 'best, smartest person to represent our country'. 

Moon said he would raise the issue of direct talks between the US and North Korea during his dinner with Ivanka, though officials said it is unlikely that she will meet with the North's delegation this weekend. 

During the dinner reception, Ivanka mirrored Korean first lady Kim Jung-sook's outfit by donning all black. She posed next to the presidential couple in a knee-length dress with three-quarter sleeves and a plunging neckline.

Kim, meanwhile, donned a similar dress with long sleeves, which she paired with purple pumps.

On Saturday she is due to cheer on Team USA on the final day of the competition before leading the US delegation at the closing ceremony on Sunday. 

COMMENT:  She's a great representative, someone who could have spent her life going to cocktail parties.  Instead, she's working effectively for her country. 

February 23, 2018       Permalink``

ANOTHER JOURNALISTIC DISGRACE – AT 10:48 A.M. ET:   There used to be some class in Washington journalism, but no more.   Washington journalists at one time understood the importance of what they were covering, and most tried to do the job with professionalism, and some dignity.  But no more.  Consider this, from Townhall.com: 

Comedian Michelle Wolf, a “Daily Show With Trevor Noah” contributor, will headline the White House Correspondents’ Dinner, the White House Correspondents' Association announced Thursday.

Wolf has made no secret of how she feels about President Trump, even admitting in an interview that she cried when he was elected. She also became emotional following a profanity-laced rant on the “Daily Show” after the election.

She characterized the candidates as “experienced politician versus racist, fake gynecologist” saying, “wow America, I mean I knew you were sexist, I’ve seen your Carl’s Jr. commercials, but instead of electing a woman president we chose Donald Trump who shouldn’t even be president of lunch meat."

And...

Wolf has tweeted some controversial things about Trump and his family over the past year, including calling Trump the “dumbest President ever” and comparing Ivanka Trump to an “empty box of tampons.”

And...

“I’m delighted to announce ‘Nice Lady' Michelle Wolf as our featured entertainer this year,” Margaret Talev, president of the White House Correspondents' Association said in a statement.

“Our dinner honors the First Amendment and strong, independent journalism,” Talev added. “Her embrace of these values and her truth-to-power style make her a great friend to the WHCA. Her Pennsylvania roots, stints on Wall Street and in science and self-made, feminist edge make her the right voice now.”

COMMENT:   Real class, real class.  Journalism needs a great deal of self-reflection.  And an injection of both maturity and taste.

February 23, 2018       Permalink

BULLETIN:  TRUMP HITS 50% – AT 9:33 A.M. ET:  President Trump has just hit 50% in the Rasmussen poll:

The Rasmussen Reports daily Presidential Tracking Poll for Thursday shows that 50% of Likely U.S. Voters approve of President Trump’s job performance. Forty-seven percent (47%) disapprove.
The latest figures include 38% who Strongly Approve of the way Trump is performing and 38% who Strongly Disapprove. This gives him a Presidential Approval Index rating of 0.

And that isn't the only good news for the president this morning.  Gallup has more.  From bizpacreview.com:

Democrats may find their fragile dreams of a midterm election takeover in danger.

A new poll indicates Americans are actually pretty happy with the country’s position in the world, and that they haven’t felt this good about it in 13 years. The fact that President Donald Trump may have more than a little to do with that could be a dream-crusher for Democrats. At the least, it is certainly a narrative-buster.

According to a new Gallup poll this week:

Forty-five percent of Americans are satisfied with the position of the United States in the world, a 13-year high and a 13-percentage-point increase from one year ago, just after President Donald Trump took office. The public is also more likely than it was a year ago to think the U.S. rates favorably in the eyes of the rest of the world.

COMMENT:  It is reported that when these surveys were announced this morning, CNN rushed counselors to its newsrooms to comfort the staff, some of whom threatened to walk out on the window ledges.  We urge compassion for these people.  They are emotionally fragile.

The president's numbers keep increasing.  Clearly, one reason is that he has successfully changed the economic psychology of the country.  Another reason is that he's doing the job.  And a third reason is that Americans are learning, as they did during the Reagan administration, to ignore much of what the media puts out.

February 23,  2018     Permalink