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JANUARY 14,  2017

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

SAD DAY FOR KIDS – FROM AP:   ELLENTON, Fla. (AP) -- After 146 years, the curtain is coming down on "The Greatest Show on Earth." The owner of the Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus told The Associated Press that the show will close forever in May.  The iconic American spectacle was felled by a variety of factors, company executives say. Declining attendance combined with high operating costs, along with changing public tastes and prolonged battles with animal rights groups all contributed to its demise.  "There isn't any one thing," said Kenneth Feld, chairman and CEO of Feld Entertainment. "This has been a very difficult decision for me and for the entire family."  The company broke the news to circus employees Saturday night after shows in Orlando and Miami.  Ringling Bros. has two touring circuses this season and will perform 30 shows between now and May. Major stops include Atlanta, Washington, Philadelphia, Boston and Brooklyn. The final shows will be in Providence, Rhode Island, on May 7 and in Uniondale, New York, at the Nassau County Coliseum on May 21.  A great institution comes to an end.  I recall going to "the circus" when I was a kid, and "the circus" always meant Ringling Bros.  We took our own kids.  Maybe it is a little old fashioned, and concern for animals is legitimate.  But what a show. 

UGLY – FROM FOX:   Tony-award winning singer Jennifer Holliday has decided not to sing at President-elect Donald Trump’s inauguration – caving in to significant pressure from gay and lesbian fans who were outraged by her decision to put patriotism over politics.  “I sincerely apologize for my lapse of judgment, for being uneducated on the issues that affect every American at this crucial time in history and for causing such dismay and heartbreak for my fans,” Holliday wrote in a letter provided to The Wrap.  The apology came one day after she defended her participation in an interview with The New York Times.  “We’ve become such a polarized country – we’re not listening to what the Obamas have said,” she told the newspaper. “They told us to move forward with hope – they didn’t tell us to stop participating.”  This kind of ruthless pressure is starting to resemble the kind of thing we expect from organized crime.  Political and social movements, which often have understandable objectives, do themselves enormous harm when they start ordering people around and using muscle.  There is a great deal of cowardice in the entertainment industry, and we're seeing it on display.

I CAN'T WAIT – FROM THE HILL:   Filmmaker Michael Moore announced Saturday evening that he would be holding a "massive rally" Thursday outside Trump’s New York City International Hotel with a pair of actors.  “Mark Ruffalo, Alec Baldwin & myself will be holding a massive rally in NYC in front of Trump International Hotel this Thursday, 6pm! Come!” Moore tweeted.   Moore, Ruffalo and Baldwin have been outspoken Trump critics during the election and after Trump's surprise win. Moore, who accurately predicted Trump’s win, has been calling for massive organization surrounding Trump’s Jan. 20 inauguration.  "If your rep is a Democrat, tell him/her you expect them to AGGRESSIVELY fight the Trump agenda — and if they don’t, you will work with others to support a true progressive in the Democratic primary in 2018," Moore urged following Trump's win.  Moore also suggested voters to form their “own rapid response team” to quickly react to Trump and the GOP-led Congress.   I think the Democratic primary Moore is referring to will be in 2020.  But who cares about the calendar when you're deeply involved in thought.  As for the rally, I'd rather get a haircut.

January 14, 2017       Permalink

ELSEWHERE IN THE DYING WESTERN WORLD – AT 1:46 P.M. ET:  As we prepare to change administrations, there are other changes going on in the decadent Western world.  You remember the Western world, don't you?  Don't expect your kids to be taught about it in school.  From London's Express:   

MIGRANT youth gangs have turned Sweden’s largest shopping centre into a “no-go zone” as they intimidate police, harass girls and deal drugs openly.

Gothenburg police have been forced to implement extraordinary measures to cope with the increased number of incidents, which have left shoppers and business owners terrified of their workplace.

Nordstan is Sweden’s largest shopping centre in terms of sales and number of visitors, however once the shops close at 8pm, criminal youth gangs take over despite officers turning out in force.

Jonas Bergqvist, one of the team managers of the city police, told Expressen: “We have seen an increase since last autumn, with mostly unaccompanied minors who are staying here in North Town.

“In the evening they deal drugs and violence between fractions sometimes occur. If there are conflicts from their home countries, they bring them here.”

While his colleague Rikard Sorensen added the thugs was experiencing increasing levels of increasingly more aggressive toward police.

He said: “There is a lot of drugs circulating. I wouldn’t even let my son go down to North Town.

“There is a risk of robbery, but also harassment of girls.”

COMMENT:  But, I ask you, who are we to question their culture?  So they're ruining a shopping center.  So what?  They have grievances.  Think of the colonial era.   And how were they treated in Biblical times, or even before!  We must listen to their complaints, especially how they've been hurt by TRUMP, and BUSH, and CHENEY!! 

Maybe they're just upset that Barack is leaving, after all the good he's done for them.  Uh...I'll get back to you with a list.

January 14, 2017       Permalink

MORE MADNESS – AT 12:58 P.M. ET:  There is probably no more magnificent role model for African-American youngsters than Dr. Ben Carson, who rose from poverty to become one of the world's great surgeons.

But Ben is a black Republican, and that doesn't sit well with the black establishment.  Many of their leading hacks are actually opposing Dr. Carson's nomination as secretary of Housing and Urban Development.  Maxine Waters, the nutbag congresswoman from California, is actually circulating a letter to her fellow African-American members of Congress urging them to reject Carson.  It's hard to make this up.  From AP: 

WASHINGTON (AP) — While Ben Carson's celebrated career as a neurosurgeon leaves no doubt about his medical credentials, his lack of experience in government and public policy are raising questions about his qualification to serve as housing secretary.

President-elect Donald Trump wants Carson, a former rival for the Republican presidential nomination, to lead the Department of Housing and Urban Development, a sprawling agency with 8,300 employees and a budget of about $48 billion.

Carson, in remarks prepared for Thursday's hearing before the Senate Banking, House and Urban Affairs Committee, talked about growing up in inner-city Detroit with a single mother who had a third-grade education. She worked numerous jobs to keep a roof over their heads and food on the table.

"I understand housing insecurity," he said in the prepared testimony, and credited his mother with showing him the importance of perseverance and hard work.

Dr. Carson, please.  Understanding the problem is not sufficient.  You must demonstrate an ability to serve for four years without solving it.  That's the liberal way. 

Carson said he wants to help heal America's divisiveness, and that the department could play a role. "I see HUD as part of the solution, helping ensure housing security and strong communities," he said.

Democrats in the GOP-run Senate are questioning his experience and priorities. Sen. Elizabeth Warren, D-Mass., told Carson in a letter that the agency needs a strong, capable leader who believes in its mission.

"There is relatively little in the public record that reveals how you would further HUD's mission to 'create strong, sustainable, inclusive communities and quality affordable homes for all,'" Warren said.

Perhaps the senator can explain how this has been done in eight years of Barack Obama.

Among the dozens of questions in the letter: What does Carson think about the condition of public housing? Should ending homelessness among veterans be a priority? How would he ensure equal access to HUD programs to same-sex couples and others.

Ben, have someone write her a letter.

Several former HUD secretaries, Democrats and Republicans, wrote the committee in support of Carson, saying they believe Carson will listen to staff to help fulfill HUD's mission of affordable homes and inclusive communities. The letter was signed by Henry Cisneros, secretary under President Bill Clinton, and Mel Martinez, Alphonso Jackson and Steven Preston, who worked for President George W. Bush.

The soft-spoken Carson, the only black major-party candidate in 2016 presidential race, grew up poor. He attended Yale University and the University of Michigan Medical School, and was the first African-American named as head of pediatric neurosurgery at Johns Hopkins Children's Center in Baltimore.

COMMENT:  I have a feeling that Dr. Carson will do fine, as long as he doesn't rock too many bureaucratic boats in the "community."

January 14, 2017         Permalink

SIX DAYS – AT 11:52 A.M. ET:  In six days we will have a new president.  You'd never know it.  Every attempt is being made to delegitimize Donald Trump's victory.  As you may recall, the same tactics were used against George W. Bush in 2000.  Only Republican presidents are illegitimate. 

To be a liberal these days is to believe that democracy only exists when your side wins.  If someone else wins, there must be a conspiracy.  It goes hand in hand with the vast corruption that liberalism has become.  Liberals have lost touch with the people of the United States, and, following Barack Obama's example, don't feel those people are worthy of their attention anyway. 

The latest dustup started with "civil rights icon" John Lewis, a mediocre black congressman from Georgia, declaring Trump "illegitimate."  After all, the Russians tried to influence our election, something they've been doing since 1917.

Trump, unwisely, took the bait, accurately denouncing Lewis in a tweet, and pointing out that Lewis's congressional district is crime ridden.  He advised Lewis to pay attention to that.

Now we have an uproar.  How dare anyone attack John Lewis.  One doesn't do that in polite society.  And so the tweets are coming, and by Friday Donald Trump will be labeled a racist...again.  It's the only thing liberals have left.  They've lost at every electoral level.

Oh, by the way, Human Rights Watch, a hard-left international organization that reserves most of its venom for Israel, has now declared Trump a threat to human freedom. (The people of Syria could not be reached for comment.) 

And, as we've reported, a well-fed conference of international nothings will meet in Paris to tomorrow to make a statement on settling the Arab-Israel dispute.  John Kerry will attend and have dessert.  It's being made very clear that the real purpose of the meeting is to put pressure on our incoming administration.  Not exactly friendly.  I hope Trump is making a list and checking it twice. 

It's going to be a tough road ahead.  The antidote to this poison is results.  Good results.  If Trump can deliver, the madness may just start to melt away.

January 14,  2017     Permalink

JANUARY 13,  2017

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

MATURITY REPORT – FROM FOX:   An anti-Donald Trump group is planning massive disruptions for next week's inauguration covering everything from "blockades" at security checkpoints to a "dance party" outside VP-elect Mike Pence's house, according to group leaders as well as newly obtained audio of their apparent plans.  The organization #DisruptJ20 already announced at a press conference Thursday its various plans to wreak havoc at Trump's Jan. 20 inauguration and in the days leading up to it.  A conservative group also shared with FoxNews.com what it said was audio from a Jan. 8 #DisruptJ20 meeting at a Washington church, giving even greater insight into the group's planned D.C. "shutdown."  The audio, recorded by Trevor Loudon with Capital Research Center, purports to show a female member detailing plans to "do everything we can to try and stop people from being able to access the inauguration."  This begins with what was described as a "pure dance party at Mike Pence’s house" on Jan. 18.  "It’s his last few days living in Chevy Chase before he moves into the vice presidential residence, and we’re going to send him off with a bang," the woman says in the audio.  How mature.  How classy.  There may be many attempts to disrupt, giving some in mainstream media to cut away from the inauguration itself, which they'd love to do.

DISAPPOINTING – FROM THE NEW YORK POST:   President-elect Donald Trump has the highest disapproval rating in history over his transition effort.  Trump hit the all-time low mark — 51 percent view his transition unfavorably, compared with the 44 percent who approve — a week away from his inauguration, according to a Gallup poll out Friday.  For comparison, President Obama’s handling of his transition was approved by 83 percent of Americans, while 12 percent disapproved.  George W. Bush’s transition had 61 percent approval and Bill Clinton’s transition was viewed favorably by 68 percent.  I'm sickened but not surprised by those numbers.  In my view, Obama has handled his transition quite well.  But the media hatred has been relentless.  And I suspect it's now taking its toll.  Trump has got to develop a better media strategy, a way of speaking over the heads of the hacks and directly to the American people.  Reagan did that well.  Tweets are not enough.

SAD – FROM MEDIAITE:  Looks like Donald Trump may still be in the market for some inauguration performers. Last night, it was reported that Paul Anka would be performing “My Way,” with lyrics customized for the incoming President, but he told TMZ that that’s actually not the case.  He said, “The President-Elect is an old friend of mine for 50 years, there was a dialogue to do it, ‘My Way’ is his favorite song, but… I’ve been in a custody battle for two years for my son Ethan, and we have a new schedule now and I’m unable to do it.”  Very odd.  I wonder if someone reached Anka.  You usually don't disappoint a friend of 50 years.  I sense there's a story here we're not being told.

January 13, 2017       Permalink

GOOD CHOICE – AT 11:53 A.M. ET:  Mike Pence will be sworn in by Associate Justice Clarence Thomas of the United States Supreme Court.  From Reuters: 

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Vice President-elect Mike Pence will be sworn into office on Jan. 20 by U.S. Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas, a conservative legal icon reviled by many liberals.

Thomas's role was included in the official program for Republican President-elect Donald Trump's inauguration posted online by the Joint Congressional Committee on Inaugural Ceremonies.

Trump will be sworn in by conservative Chief Justice John Roberts. The nation's chief justice usually swears in the president but an incoming vice president traditionally picks someone else to administer the oath of office.

Vice President Joe Biden was sworn in by liberal Justice John Paul Stevens in 2009 and liberal Justice Sonia Sotomayor in 2013.

Thomas, 68, is the second black justice to serve on the Supreme Court and is one of its most conservative members.

Nominated by Republican President George H.W. Bush, Thomas joined the court in 1991 after contentious Senate confirmation hearings involving sexual harassment allegations against him made by a former federal government colleague, Anita Hill.

In October, after controversy erupted over allegations Trump had fondled numerous women and boasted about it, a female corporate lawyer from Alaska accused Thomas of groping her in 1999, a charge Thomas called "preposterous" and untrue.

After taking office, Trump will nominate a justice to serve alongside Thomas on the Supreme Court to fill the vacancy created by the death of another conservative, Justice Antonin Scalia, in February 2016.

COMMENT:  Justice Thomas has served on the Court with great distinction.  He deserves this honor.  Despite attempts to smear him, he has never raised his voice against his opponents.  It must drive them crazy. 

January 13, 2017       Permalink

THE TRUMP WAY – AT 10:38 A.M. ET:  Many wince when Donald Trump opens his mouth.  Elegant he isn't.  Presidential he isn't.  He's Donald.

And yet, he's effective.   He won a presidential election despite massive odds.  When someone punches him, he punches back twice as hard, even at the risk of seeming the bully.  Look at his dealings with the media, especially his combative press conference this week.   From Fred Barnes at Weekly Standard:

With Trump, rules have changed. CNN was oblivious to this. It had played up the dubious "dossier" story about Trump. Yet, after Trump denounced the story, CNN correspondent Jim Acosta thought he was entitled to ask a question. Trump refused. "You are fake news," he said, looking at Acosta.

Which leads us to the first change. And by the way, it applies across the board, not just to the media. The new rule is simple: When you attack Trump, he will hit back harder than you could have imagined. "He learned this in the New York media when he was a businessman," Newt Gingrich said in a speech in December.

This is "Trump's core model," says Gingrich, who understands how Trump operates better than anyone else. There's a reason for Trump's counter-punching. He always wants to be on offense. "He's on permanent offense," Gingrich says. This, too, is a change. "He gets up in the morning, figuring out, how am I going to stay on offense?"

That he punches back was lost on Hollywood's Meryl Streep. After she vilified him at the Golden Globe awards banquet, he unloaded on her with bruising force. He tweeted that she's an "overrated actress" and a "Hillary flunkie." I suspect more people read his tweets than watched her speech on TV. More are also likely to remember what he said.

But the main thing was he got on offense.

COMMENT:  A good analysis.  We're in for four years of fireworks.  I can't wait.  It'll be the best show around.

January 13, 2017       Permalink

ONE MORE WEEK – AT 10:07 A.M. ET:  In one week, and a few hours, Donald Trump will be  president.  And that means that Barack Obama won't be. 

It may well turn out to be an interesting week.  I wouldn't be shocked if some "bombshell" is exploded by a "journalist" with "inside information."  Remember, that the goal of the left is to delegitimize Trump.  That goal will continue, even after his inauguration, and the media will play its assigned role.

We already know that one outrage is underway.  On Sunday a group of 72 nations will meet in Paris under the auspices of a corrupt French government.  The goal will be to shape a policy to settle the Israel-Palestine conflict.  It is really a gang-up on Israel.  Naturally, John Kerry will attend with enthusiasm, essentially ending decades of American policy stating that only the parties can settle the dispute.  It's being made clear, if only by anonymous comments, that the purpose of the conference is to put pressure on America's incoming president.  That the outgoing administration would participate in this kind of rigged affair is obscene.  But we are talking about Barack Obama and John Kerry, not exactly stalwarts in the fight for human freedom.

We also look forward, perhaps with some amusement, to the "coverage" of the inauguration.  Will anyone play it straight?  Or will we have the usual sneering and uppity comments by "journalists," especially those from CNN.  Will The New York Times break its growing tradition of placing three or four anti-Trump stories on its front page, day after day? 

I would love to see Trump deliver a superb inaugural address, over the heads of the press and directly to the American people.  I don't know if it will be, but we can hope.

January 13,  2017     Permalink