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JANUARY 24,  2016

SHORT TAKES ON THE DRIFTING WRECKAGE – AT 11:54 P.M. ET:

SAME OLD STORY – Of course we have to be sensitive to civil liberties, but we also may have to inconvenience ourselves to prevent innocents from being murdered.  In France, sadly, there's already a backlash over tough measures introduced after the recent attacks.  From AFP:  When a state of emergency was imposed in France after the November attacks, numb and terror-weary citizens welcomed the show of force.  But a sense of creeping unease over civil liberties has turned to outright opposition in many quarters as French President Francois Hollande indicated this week he would seek to renew the measure for another three months.  The state of emergency was imposed after gunmen and suicide bombers attacked a string of Parisian cafes and restaurants, a concert hall and football stadium, leaving 130 dead and hundreds injured on November 13.  It has led to over 2,500 police raids and hundreds of arrests under emergency policing powers that government wants written into the constitution.  As Johnny Carson used to say, "How quickly they forget."  Obviously, government power can be used excessively, but I'm willing to bet that many of the "civil libertarians" raising a fuss in France are old leftists doing their usual thing, and "understanding" the terrorists.

AMERICA 2016 – From Fox:   A Minnesota youth basketball team has been ejected from a league for being too good and now the coach, parents and players are crying foul.  The Rogers Area Youth Basketball Association girls high school team was forced to the sidelines by the Northwest Suburban Basketball League -- and it’s all because the team is 3-0, Fox 9 reported Saturday.  “We found out Friday at lunchtime that we’re not going to be allowed because according to the league our girls were too talented,” coach Jason Hanauska told the station.   RAYBA sent parents a letter that said the main reason for the league's decision was because other teams in the league “do not want to play RAYBA due to the skill level.”   What a comment on the standards being taught to young people today.  If you lose and feel badly about it, just complain and the winning team will be kicked out.  After all, shouldn't everyone be a winner?

WILL BRITAIN WALK? – From London's Express:   Support for a British exit from the 28-nation European Union has hardened significantly, according to research.  The “Brexit” boost follows terrorist attacks in France, the sex attacks scandal in Germany and the EU-wide migrant crisis.  A new opinion poll gives the “out” campaign a sensational six per cent lead.  Polling firm Survation found that the number of voters who want the UK to cut ties with Brussels is at the highest level for more than two decades.  The poll – showing 53 per cent of voters in favour of quitting the EU against 47 per cent wanting to stay in – delighted campaigners for an EU exit last night.  It comes as David Cameron is thought to be preparing to hold his promised in-out referendum this summer.  This is an important story.  The EU has become a burdensome, sometimes frightening bureaucracy, usually leftist in its orientation, and almost unaccountable.  It represents the opposite of the American ideal that government should be small, and close to the people.  If Britain walks, it may well mean the end of the EU's hold on Europe.

January 24,  2016     Permalink

SICKNESS – AT 12:10 P.M. ET:  ISIS has actually put out a guide for how young recruits should inform their families about their decision to join the fanatical group.  One thing about ISIS – they're vulgar extremists, but they're capable.  Do not underestimate them.  From PJ Media, quoting the new guide:   

"One thing which every Muh?jir will eventually face will be informing one’s parents about one’s hijrah," Hussain said. "Depending on how close you are with your parents will affect how hard this will be, both for you and for them. Generally speaking the father-daughter relationship is the strongest bond as every father sees his daughter as his little angel, so sisters need to pay heed to how to go about in informing their parents of their whereabouts."

"No doubt when you break the news to your parents, it will shatter their hearts, especially since it will be a shock for them. You may have had the time to get over it as you knew you would part from them since the day you made your intention to move out, however the initial impact it will have upon one’s parents will not be the same."

Hussain stresses that ISIS recruits need to be careful not to let the cat out of the bag until they've arrived in their new home.

"The only exception to this rule will be to those who you fully trust and will be helping you out either financially or any other way," he said. "Prior to leaving the house, you will have your last look at your parents’ face, so cherish that moment as you will always remember this once you are here."

COMMENT:  Just read that, then contemplate what it's really about.  It's about young people going off to become murderers and terrorists.  Not exactly going off to join a college fraternity or sorority.

January 24, 2016       Permalink

MARCO RISING? – AT 11:30 A.M. ET:  It's hard to see how Marco Rubio can win the Republican nomination.  Trump is dominating the field and no one can break him.  "Stop Trump" movements spring up, and are promptly ignored. 

And yet Rubio, who I still think would be the most electable nominee, shows pockets of strength upon which he can possibly build, assuming Trump falters.  From Powerline: 

The Minnesota Poll on the 2016 presidential race is out, and its results will be shocking to some. On the Republican side, opinion is split: Marco Rubio leads with 23% and Ted Cruz is second with 21%. But in a general election matchup, Rubio wallops Clinton by nine points, 49-40.

It’s no fluke: 52% of Minnesotans disapprove of Hillary, so she is eminently beatable here. Cruz tops Clinton by two points, which I assume is within the margin of error. Rubio’s wide margin over Clinton reflects the fact that he is carries young voters (18-34) by 46%-38% and runs even among women (44%-45%).

This year, Minnesota will matter in the presidential race for the first time in a long while, as its caucuses are scheduled for March 1. Rubio says he will make a major effort to carry the state, and other candidates presumably will do likewise.

From the Minneapolis Star-Tribune:

“A lot of people are looking at Rubio right now to see if he emerges,” said Joseph Peschek, a political scientist at Hamline University in St. Paul. “A lot of Republican voters aren’t sure who to support, and I think they will be watching Iowa and New Hampshire and the early contests to see who shakes out.”

The poll suggests that Rubio has wide appeal among Republicans seeking an alternative to Trump and Cruz who could win over independents in the general election.

COMMENT:  I have to believe that this election year will still be filled with surprises.  The results of the FBI investigation into Hillary Clinton could change history.  Trump could eventually wear out his welcome, although he has emerged as a better strategist than any other candidate competing for the GOP nomination, and time is running out for the other contenders.

January 24, 2016       Permalink   

MORE IRANIAN GOOD WILL – AT 10:53 A.M. ET:  Once again the Iranian leaders show how the nuclear agreement has turned them into old softies, filled with kindness.  From the Times of Israel:

Meeting with the Iranian Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC) Navy unit that took 10 US sailors captive when they strayed into Iranian waters on January 12, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei hailed the “courage” and “strong faith” of the unit, semi-state Iranian news site Fars reported on Sunday.

“You did an excellent job,” Khamenei told them. “Certainly, it was the divine job that sent the Americans straying into our territorial waters only to be promptly captured with their hands behind their heads.”

Iranian political and military leaders have repeatedly castigated the US over the incident, gloating about ostensible American panic, cowardice and lack of professionalism. The incident coincided with the lifting of international sanctions on Iran in the wake of last summer’s nuclear deal, but Khamenei and other senior Iranian figures have repeatedly emphasized that the deal does not mark a warming of Iran’s attitude to the United States. On Saturday, at a meeting with the visiting Chinese President Xi Jinping, Khamenei remarked: “Americans pursue such (a) dishonest approach to all issues.”

COMMENT:  Some say we've been played for suckers.  I don't think so.  I think Obama did exactly what he wanted to do – weaken America and strengthen Iran.  The picture of those American sailors kneeling, with their hands behind their heads, shocked most Americans.  It didn't shock the leftist in the White House.

January 24,  2016     Permalink 

JANUARY 23,  2016

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

THE STORM – My earlier skepticism notwithstanding, the forecasters seem to have gotten it largely right this time.  It is a very large storm.  In our area, north of New York City, we were spared the high winds, so I don't see much drifting as I look out the window.  Lots of snow, countered by excellent snow removal.  I'm delighted to say that, so far at least, we've been spared lectures on how this was caused by global warming.  There are reports that Obama will issue an executive order barring snowstorms in the future.

IOWA ENDORSEMENTS – From the Politico:  Democrat Hillary Clinton and Republican Marco Rubio on Saturday won the endorsement of the Des Moines Register, the most prominent daily newspaper in Iowa, with just over a week until voters caucus on Feb. 1 and begin the process of selecting their parties’ presidential nominees.  In the dual editorials, the paper said Democrat voters had "one outstanding candidate deserving of their support," citing Clinton's "depth" of "knowledge and experience" and her ability to work across party lines as a New York senator, while stating that the "whip smart" Rubio could "chart a new direction" for the GOP.    I have no idea how many voters will be swayed by the paper's endorsements.  I've always liked Rubio, and feel he might well be the most electable Republican candidate.  As for Hillary, I first want to know if she can stay out of jail.

AMERICA'S TEAM? – It used to be said that the Dallas Cowboys were "America's Team."  The seemed to embody the American spirit.  I wonder if that can now be said about the New England Patriots.  They play Denver tomorrow for a shot at Super Bowl 50, which itself will be a major event in sports history.  There's as much lore being built up around the Patriots as there was around the Cowboys in their greatest days.  I'm not a big football fan, but will be watching the Patriots-Broncos game, which will be played in Denver.  I love it when teams, or athletes, build up some glitter around them.  Reminds me of the old Brooklyn Dodgers, for whom I agonized.  They were the greatest team in world history, and have never been replaced in the souls of true Brooklynites, or any other decent people.

CREEPY – From London's Mirror:  Robots could soon be able to read your mind - and we won't be able to stop them because there are no laws against it, experts claim.  If expert predictions come true, by 2030 smartphones, tablets and computers will be able to examine our brain activity to see what we are thinking.  Initially this will be used for security as a kind of 'pass thought' - the user thinks of a specific song or thought which the device recognises and then unlocks itself.  But a panel at the World Economic Forum, in Davos, warned of the terrifying possibility of hackers reading people's innermost thoughts.  They should stick to liberals.  The job will be so easy.

January 23, 2016       Permalink

WHAA? – AT 12:22 P.M. ET:   What's wrong with this picture?  From London's Express: 

Almost 70 per cent of Iraqi asylum seekers have given up applications in Finland to go back to their war-torn country.

One Iraqi who decided to return said Finland did not live up to the expectations.

He said: "I don't know what happens to me in Iraq, but here I will die mentally."

Figures from the Nordic country's immigration service revealed Finland processed 3,700 Iraqi asylum seeker decisions in 2015.

Almost 2,600 of the decisions have now "expired", meaning the applicants have either cancelled the process or disappeared.

Juha Simila, head of asylum department at the Finnish Immigration Service, said applicants were disillusioned by the processing time.

He continued: "They have told us that family issues in their home country force them to go back.

"Some have found the Finnish atmosphere hostile and some have not stayed because of the dark autumn and cold winter."

COMMENT:  You may be sure that the multiculturalists of Europe will now start wringing their hands and ask, "What have we done wrong to offend these people?"  Whole departments in universities will be formed.

And, of course, we'll see the traditional article:  "Why do they hate us?"

Since climate is an issue, watch for the trendies to blame global warming.

If it wasn't so serious, this story would be hilarious. 

January 23, 2016       Permalink 

PRESIDENT MIKE? – AT 11:47 A.M. ET:  The great band singer Helen Forrest once had a big hit  with the Harry James orchestra called, "I've Heard That Song Before."  I started humming it this morning when I read that former New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg, another billionaire, is mulling a presidential bid.

This story comes up periodically.  I mention it only because it may be more serious this time, considering the chaos within the Republican Party.  From The New York Times:   

Michael R. Bloomberg has instructed advisers to draw up plans for a potential independent campaign in this year’s presidential race. His advisers and associates said he was galled by Donald J. Trump’s dominance of the Republican field, and troubled by Hillary Clinton’s stumbles and the rise of Senator Bernie Sanders of Vermont on the Democratic side.

Mr. Bloomberg, the billionaire former mayor of New York City, has in the past contemplated running for the White House on a third-party ticket, but always concluded he could not win. A confluence of unlikely events in the 2016 election, however, has given new impetus to his presidential aspirations.

Mr. Bloomberg, 73, has already taken concrete steps toward a possible campaign, and has indicated to friends and allies that he would be willing to spend at least $1 billion of his fortune on it, according to people briefed on his deliberations who spoke on the condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to discuss his plans. He has set a deadline for making a final decision in early March, the latest point at which advisers believe Mr. Bloomberg could enter the race and still qualify to appear as an independent candidate on the ballot in all 50 states.

COMMENT:  Bloomberg was a capable, if uninspiring mayor.  His sheer mastery of the job, though, was rarely doubted.  He comes off as Mr. Competence, which may sell well for an independent run.

It is perfectly obvious that the frontrunners in both major parties are disliked by large numbers of Americans, possibly majorities.  That may provide the space for a Bloomberg campaign.

Problem is, how many people have even heard of Mike Bloomberg?  Bloombergers might answer that he could run a massive PR campaign, with his own money, to bring up his name-recognition numbers.  They could point out that, in 1992, Ross Perot, running as an independent, got 20% of the popular vote.  If Bloomberg could go to 35%, he could win.

Big if.  My guess is that he won't run, considering the burden of a presidential campaign, and the historical odds against him.  But this is an odd year, with some odd candidates.  Don't rule out Mayor Mike.

January 23, 2016       Permalink

THE STORM – AT 11:31 A.M. ET:  I guess I'm obligated to write about the snowstorm, which has been sold to us as something no less grand as the storm that required Noah to build an ark.

When I was a student at the Graduate School of Journalism, an instructor asked, "What's the last thing you do before you hand in a weather story?"  The answer:  "You look outside."

Today they look mostly at instruments and listen to forecasts.  The storm isn't over, but I've noticed that the snow total predictions are getting lower and lower for the areas I follow.  You'd think from the forecasts that Hell was enveloping us.  It's a nasty storm, to be sure, but it looks like it will fall far short of a World Ender. This is pretty much the way all snowstorms are reported.  I don't mean to be completely cynical, but snowstorms are big business for news operations.  People watch crisis weather reports because those reports involve them.  Rarely have I seen the dire predictions come true.

I just looked outside.  Very little traffic here in White Plains, New York, about 22 miles north of Manhattan.  Snow coming down.  Streets being plowed.  I'm guessing that this will be cleaned up quickly.

January 23,  2016     Permalink