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JANUARY 11,  2018

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

WOW – FROM DAILY STAR:   Just a day after claims Google Earth has snapped the USAF’s 4,600mph hypersonic warplane, NASA has gone one better.  The Parker Solar Probe’s extraordinary speed is almost too big to comprehend.  London to New York City in 28 seconds or London to Sydney in just one minute 18 seconds.  Looking further afield, it would take only 30 minutes to reach the moon (considerably quicker than the 61 hours and 56 minutes Neil Armstrong’s Apollo 11 took).  And it would get to the Sun – some 90million miles away – in a little over nine days.  That is the purpose of the remarkable machine.  Yeah, and two hours to get your luggage.

HOLLYWOOD HYPOCRISY – FROM FRONTPAGEMAG.COM:   The theme of this year's Golden Globes awards show was "Time's Up," the movement to salute the women who have come forward to tell their stories of sexual abuse, assault or harassment in the workplace.  Actress Reese Witherspoon said, "I want to thank everyone who broke their silence this year and spoke up about abuse and harassment. You are so brave. ... So people out there who are feeling silenced by harassment, discrimination, abuse: Time is up. We see you, we hear you, and we will tell your stories."  But for years women have publicly told their stories of sexual abuse and rape by Bill Clinton. One alleged rape survivor, Juanita Broaddrick, claims that Hillary Clinton attempted to verbally threaten her into silence about two weeks after Broaddrick's alleged rape by Bill Clinton. The Hollywood community raised millions of dollars for the Clintons, despite Broaddrick's accusation and the accusations of sexual harassment and battery by Paula Jones and Kathleen Willey. It's hard to get much more public than telling your story on "60 Minutes" and "Dateline NBC," as did Willey and Broaddrick, respectively.  Yet this did not disturb the Hollywood community.   Hollywood rides on money and hypocrisy.  If someone in Hollywood tells you, "I say this very sincerely..," run in the opposite direction.

NANCY MESSES IT UP – FROM THE NEW YORK POST:   House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi joked on Thursday that “five white guys” were leading talks on immigration reform – in a quip that went over like a lead balloon with her own top deputy.  “The five white guys I called them you know,” Pelosi (D-Calif.) said her in weekly press briefing, drawing uncomfortable, forced laughs from the gallery.  Pelosi then tried to tie the zing to popular East Coast burger chain Five Guys: “Are they going to open a hamburger stand next or what?”  One of those white guys in the immigration talks is Minority Whip Steny Hoyer (D-Md.), who didn’t find any humor in Pelosi’s cracks. Hoyer said he’s dedicated to protecting “Dreamers,” young people brought to America by their undocumented-immigrant parents.  “The comment is offensive. I am committed to ensuring DREAMers are protected and I will welcome anyone to the table who wants to get this done,” Hoyer said in a statement to Politico.   It may be too much to ask, but I'm hoping this is the first blow from a Democratic leader against political correctness and identity politics. 

January 11,  2018     Permalink

OH, I CAN'T WAIT; I COUNT THE HOURS – AT 9:31 A.M. ET:   Democrats, their creativity flowing, are planning big stuff for President Trump's State of the Union.  I'm sure it will be brilliant.  From The Hill: 

Democrats are already plotting ways to protest during President Trump’s State of the Union later this month. 

At least one lawmaker plans to boycott the speech entirely, with more Democrats possibly opting to skip the event as well. Female Democrats including House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) plan to wear black to show solidarity with victims of sexual misconduct, just as Hollywood stars did at an awards show over the weekend.

Members of the Democratic Women’s Working Group had been discussing ideas for a coordinated effort around the State of the Union after wearing white — the color of suffragettes — to Trump’s first joint address to Congress last year. They settled on wearing black after watching the Golden Globes on Sunday.

Female Democrats are hoping that their display of black will help bring the “Me Too” conversation about rooting out sexual misconduct and women’s issues to Trump’s State of the Union on Jan. 30.

Rep. Lois Frankel (D-Fla.), the chairwoman of the Democratic Women’s Working Group, said she also expects to give her guest ticket in the House chamber gallery to a person involved in the “Me Too” movement, but hasn’t decided whom to invite yet.

“What we want is to really continue the conversation about sexual harassment in the workplace, about disparity of salaries where people work in the same job, and also getting paid for the value of your work,” Frankel said.

She joked that lawmakers’ attire won’t be quite the same as at the Golden Globes: “I don’t expect to see diamonds or a lot of flesh.”

COMMENT:   I'm overwhelming by the artistic genius of the organizers.   Why, how 1966!  Break out the hula hoops.

I'm all for women's rights.  My two daughters appreciate that.  But these women are stuck in the past, nostalgic for the old marches and denunciations of Miss America.

And how many of these Democratic congresswomen knew about the rampant sexual harassment in Congressional offices, and how public money was used to hush up the accusers?  Hmm.  Why do I hear, "No comment"?

January 11, 2018       Permalink

WELCOME TO THE BIG LEAGUES, OPRAH – AT 8:48 A.M. ET:   We are informed that Oprah Winfrey wants to run for president.  Okay, so do a lot of sixth graders. 

Maybe Oprah believes her run will be one long love fest.  Maybe she can make "love" her campaign theme.   That's what those afternoon talk-show audiences wanted, right?

Can you take a punch, Oprah?  About five thousand punches?  Because that's what you're going to get.  Not much love on the stump in Nebraska.  From Fox: 

Internationally renowned musician Seal trashed Oprah Winfrey on social media just days after her widely praised speech at the Golden Globe Awards on sexual misconduct in Hollywood, calling her a “part of the problem for decades.”

In a fiery Instagram post Wednesday, Seal republished a pair of photos of Winfrey with disgraced movie mogul Harvey Weinstein, including one in which she appears to be kissing the producer’s cheek. Overlayed on the photos, in all-caps, is the text: “When you have been part of the problem for decades, but suddenly they all think you are the solution.”

Seal added a sarcastic comment to the right of the photographs that suggested Winfrey knew Weinstein was mistreating women.

“Oh I forgot, that's right.....you'd heard the rumours but you had no idea he was actually serially assaulting young stary-eyed actresses who in turn had no idea what they were getting into. My bad,” Seal wrote.

He added the hashtag “#SanctimoniousHollywood” to the post.

COMMENT:  This is just the start, and that's from a black guy.  If Oprah runs, watch the opposition researchers go over every show she's ever starred on, every movie she's ever made, every word she's ever spoken.  By the time she reaches the end of her first week of campaigning, she'll be portrayed as the nation's leading snake-oil salesman, and a self-gratifying billionaire.  Watch her numbers plummet.  It usually happens that way.

Maybe you'd prefer an easier life, Oprah.

January 11, 2018     Permalink

MESSAGE SENT – AT 6:38 A.M. ET:  President Trump increasingly demonstrates an ability to use power effectively.  He has already forced North Korea to have talks with South Korea by applying steady, clear pressure.  From Fox: 

The U.S. Air Force announced it has deployed three nuclear-capable B-2 stealth bombers and 200 air personnel to Guam -- sending a strong signal to North Korea just a few days after its talks with South Korea. 

The B-2s join a number of B-1 conventional bombers already deployed on the Pacific island. 

It is unclear how long the B-2s will stay at Andersen Air Force Base in Guam. 

The Air Force last sent a lone B-2 bomber to Guam in October, but only for a few hours as part of a long-range training mission from its home base in Missouri.  

The last time the U.S. sent three of the stealth bombers to Guam was in 2016.

That was during the last year of the Obama administration.  Trouble is, Obama allowed the Norks to walk all over him, with no serious consequences for their actions.

At his news conference with the Norwegian prime minister yesterday, the president reported that our military strength is building again, month by month.  He made a special point of saying how powerful we are.  To some, that is warmongering.  To wiser heads, that is the building of peace through strength., the very strategy that allowed Ronald Reagan to conclude the Cold War on our terms.

January 11,  2018    Permalink

JANUARY 10,  2018

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

VOTERS GIVE THUMBS UP TO ECONOMY – FROM THE HILL:   Perceptions of the U.S. economy have reached a record high among voters, according to a new poll.  Two-thirds of voters polled, 66 percent, said in a Quinnipiac University poll released Wednesday they would characterize the economy as “excellent” or “good.” Quinnipiac noted that figure is the highest rating since it began asking the question in 2001.
Thirty-three percent, however, said they view the economy as “not so good” or “poor.”  Nearly half of respondents, 49 percent, say former President Obama is more responsible for the current economy, while 40 percent attribute the current economic state to President Trump.  Strange how Obama gets so much credit.  Trump's great contribution is that he changed the psychology of the country on economic matters, leading to the kind of confidence we see today.  Obama may deserve some of the credit, but it's minimal.

END OF THE WORLD, END OF THE WORLD – FROM DAILY CALLER:   Washington state’s Democratic Governor Jay Inslee warned there were “just 59 days” to save future generations from “an endless cycle of crop-killing droughts one year, and rivers spilling their banks the next.”  Inslee went on a lengthy Twitter rant in efforts to convince the state legislature to pass legislation to tax carbon dioxide emissions. Washington residents voted down Inslee’s last carbon tax plan by a wide margin in 2016.  The state legislature’s session ends in 59 days, on March 8. Democrats have a slim majority in both state legislative chambers.  I think we should tell Democrats that if we had to choose between higher taxes and the end of the world, we'd choose the end of the world...and watch their reactions.  Someone should tell the Dems that Doomsday predictions are growing stale.

GREAT IDEA – FROM COLEGE FIX:  One professor gave her students a white privilege quiz. Another declared classrooms as tools for “civil resistance.” A third called John McCain a “war criminal.”
San Diego State University’s College Republicans have put out a list of 15 professors they say students should avoid because the educators use their classrooms as a “soapbox” and have an “agenda” when presenting course material.  The group’s “Teachers vs. Preachers” list also includes 14 professors the student GOPers say present material fairly and do not interject personal political views into classroom discussions.
The list was created during a College Republicans meeting in October and released Jan. 5. The group had solicited nominations on social media and voted amongst themselves to determine the outcome.   Well done.  Rating teachers for bias is entirely legitimate, and may lead to some needed change.

January 10,  2018     Permalink

I'M APPLYING TODAY – AT 12:37 P.M. ET:  If you're looking for a new, challenging academic experience with potential for profit, I have just the ticket.  From PJ Media: 

People who yearn to become entrepreneurs may find guidance at the new Feminist Business School, an online program that aims to help women launch businesses founded upon the theory of “feminine entrepreneurship” and “body-loving business practices.”

Starting next week, the California-based Feminist Business School will play host to an eight-week online “Concepts and Conceptions” course, during which seasoned “midwives” will teach women about the stages of giving “birth” to a new business.

Each week of the course will focus on a different topic. Students will start with “getting grounded,” and will eventually progress into more advanced topics such as “the myth of meritocracy,” the “stages of birthing a business,” and “toppling the patriarchy.”

Understanding feminist theory before starting a business is crucial, since it will give you a “huge leg-up on established entrepreneurs” and help you “avoid the frustrations and pitfalls of outdated masculine business models,” according to the program’s website.

The $1,200 class was developed by Jennifer Armbrust, an artist who graduated from Evergreen State University with a degree in critical teeeheory. After graduating, she founded an art gallery, later becoming a performance artist in Portland, Oregon.

I have no idea what "teeeheory" is.  I tried Googling it and got near-matches dealing with fashion.  Any ideas?

After working as a performance artist, Armbrust founded Sister, a California-based project aimed at promoting “teaching and tools for the feminine economy.” Coined by Armbrust, the “feminine economy” refers to a vision of business that shuns traditional capitalism.

COMMENT:  Do they have a football team?

January 10, 2018       Permalink

THE PRESIDENT HOLDS – AT 11:18 A.M. ET:   We're now starting to see the first polling coming in, measuring changes in presidential approval since the publication of "the book."  If these numbers are accurate, President Trump hasn't been damaged at all.  From Rasmussen: 

The Rasmussen Reports daily Presidential Tracking Poll for Wednesday shows that 44% of Likely U.S. Voters approve of President Trump’s job performance. Fifty-five percent (55%) disapprove.

The latest figures include 30% who Strongly Approve of the way Trump is performing and 44% who Strongly Disapprove. This gives him a Presidential Approval Index rating of -14.

COMMENT:  While some commentators, especially at the notorious CNN, tried to make much of the book by Michael Wolff, the book almost destroyed itself with factual errors and wild-eyed judgments.

I saw Maggie Haberman of the anti-Trump New York Times on CNN yesterday, trashing the book.  When The Times does that, it says something about Mr. Wolff's credibility. 

The book provided incentive, however, for the White House to fight back more strongly than ever.  Wolff tried to argue that Mr. Trump is mentally defective, even functionally illiterate.  The White House responded by allowing a meeting between the president and members of Congress to be televised yesterday.  The president came off as an intelligent, capable leader.

True, Mr. Trump is sometimes his own worst enemy, with tweets that make him look small and petty.  I wish he'd stop using Twitter, but he won't.  However, more thorough exposure of the "real" Trump, as we saw yesterday on TV, will give citizens a far more accurate picture of the man in the Oval Office.

Oh, by the way, a new poll shows that Oprah Winfrey would defeat Donald Trump by ten points in a presidential election held today.  The problem for Oprah is that the election isn't being held today.  Polls generally show a well-known opponent defeating the incumbent president.  It's a commonplace...until the well-known opponent is formally nominated and subjected to scrutiny.  There's an old saying in politics that presidential contenders are the most popular the day before they actually declare.

A ten-point lead for Oprah at this stage is actually smaller than what I'd expect.  Michael Dukakis was way ahead of incumbent Vice President George H.W. Bush for part of the 1988 campaign, but Bush went on to win in a landslide, 426 electoral votes to 111 for Dukakis. 

January 10, 2018        Permalink

CREDIT WHERE IT BELONGS – AT 8:41 A.M. ET:  You've heard that there are some "talks" going on between North Korea and South Korea.  You'd think they started by magic, or because the North Korean government is actually warm, kind, and Obama-like.  In fact, the leader of South Korea has now given credit where it's due – it was President Trump's tough policy that drove North Korea to the table.  From Fox: 

President Trump deserves “big credit” for kicking off the first talks between Pyongyang and Seoul in more than two years, South Korean President Moon Jae-in said Wednesday.

North Korea agreed Tuesday to send a delegation to next month’s Winter Olympics, which are set to begin next month in Pyeongchang, South Korea. The rival nations’ talks are the first sign of a possible thaw in their relationship.

The talks were held for the first time since 2015 and Moon credited Trump for sparking them, according to Reuters.

“I think President Trump deserves big credit for bringing about the inter-Korean talks,” Moon said at a news conference. “It could be a resulting work of the U.S.-led sanctions and pressure.”

Trump and North Korean Dictator Kim Jong Un have gone tit-for-tat with threats and insults over the last year as the rogue regime bolstered its nuclear strength.

The U.S. had expressed concerns that North Korea’s willingness to talk with Seoul could drive a wedge in their relationship, but Moon downplayed that notion saying the main goal was still a denuclearized peninsula.

COMMENT:  That, of course, is the point.  The "talks" will not deal with the truly important issues – the North's nuclear and missile programs.  The North has already ruled those subjects off the table.

The "talks" will deal with lesser items.  We have no problem with people talking, as long as we're realistic about what's actually said and done.

It is President Trump's realism that has forced the North to see that there's a new attitude in Washington.  I have confidence that the president's toughness will continue.

January 10,  2018     Permalink