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JUNE 11,  2016

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

WELL, IT'S DIFFERENT – FROM THE NEW YORK TIMES:   RICHMOND, Va. — Donald J. Trump has some ideas for how to jazz up the Republican National Convention, and he previewed one at a rally here on Friday evening: a “winner’s evening” of sports celebrities and champions addressing the convention rather than politicians.  “We’re going to do it a little different, if it’s O.K.,” he told the crowd. “I’m thinking about getting some of the great sports people who like me a lot.”  Well, yeah, it's different.  But he's trying to show that he can be president, and I wonder whether presenting the best third baseman or the best shot putter really does the job.

WE ARE OBSOLETE – FROM DIGITAL TRENDS:   If you have yet to see a robot patrolling a parking lot or moving along the sidewalk, don’t feel left out. Security, surveillance, hospitality, and delivery robots aren’t a common sight, but it won’t be long before they are. Robots are already on the job providing extra service and security in a growing variety and number of locations, according to the MIT Technology Review.
Silicon Valley startup Knightscope, Inc. has two mobile surveillance and security robots, called the K3 and K5. The company refers to them as Autonomous Data Machines, or ADMs, because as the robots make their rounds, they can either follow prescribed paths or just wander within a determined area. While on the move, the robots continuously collect and transmit more than 90 terabytes of data per year.  Next, a robot president of the United States, which would be a major improvement over the choices we're given this year.  I want a commander-in-chief with flashing lights.

NO SHOCK HERE – FROM THE WASHINGTON EXAMINER:   According to Chad Aldeman of Bellwether Education Partners, 10 states spend more on government employee pensions than on all public colleges and universities combined: California, Illinois, Michigan, Missouri, Nevada, New Hampshire, New York, Ohio, Oregon and Pennsylvania.  According to the Cook Political Report, eight of those 10 states lean Democratic.  "Like the insatiable Pac-Man, pensions are eating further and further into state and local education budgets, eating up dollars that could be spent on lots of other things," Aldeman says. "That's true for all public services, but higher education is uniquely harmed by rising pension costs." He says these 10 states are "near the bottom of the list in terms of responsibly funding their pension plans."  The civil service used to place where people accepted lower economic rewards in exchange for stability and the chance to help society.  Now, for many, it's a business.  And public-service unions exist to serve their members, not the public interest. 

June 11,  2016     Permalink

GREAT MOMENTS IN EDUCATION – AT 12:50 P.M. ET:  The Grievance Gravy Train rolls on.  I can't wait for my package.  From the College Fix: 

Incoming students at the University of Wisconsin-Madison will have the, er, “pleasure” of attending the “Our Wisconsin” program which is “aimed at increasing knowledge about cultural differences and promoting community.”

The Daily Cardinal reports that freshmen (oops, pardon the lack of gender neutrality) in selected residence halls will be required to complete the program this coming fall, and if this “pilot” is deemed successful all new students will fulfill the mandate in 2017.

From the university website:

“’College is often the first time where people are exposed to people who are different from themselves — those could be religious differences, racial, socio-economic status, or sexual orientation,’ says Joshua Moon Johnson, who is leading the program’s development as interim special assistant to the Vice Provost for Student Life. Most of the problems seen on college campuses stem from ignorance, not malice, he says.”

Coincidentally, Johnson is the head of the university’s (Orwellian titled) Hate and Bias Incident Team. He says that “many of the incidents reported to the team involve disrespectful speech that was intended to be funny or inquisitive.”

These come about from students’ ignorance “of the historical context surrounding race, difference and violence,” he adds.

COMMENT:   At least there's an understanding that "ignorance," not malice, causes the perceived problems.  But I wonder who'll be included in this program, and who will be left out.   Need I ask?  Yeah, I can just see a class about abuse suffered on college campuses by conservatives or pro-life Christian women.  Wake me when it happens. 

June 11, 2016       Permalink

CROOKED HILLARY – AT 11:58 A.M. ET:  Yeah, Trump gets that one right.  That's for sure.  The Clintons are a corrupt political corporation, making money by selling influence.  A truly outstanding Republican opponent could probably have defeated Hillary Clinton easily.  But she may become president, and what will we get?  Read on.  From Powerline: 

REPORT: CLINTON DONOR BOUGHT SPOT ON NATIONAL SECURITY BOARD

ABC News reports, based on State Department emails, that “a major Clinton Foundation donor was placed on a sensitive government intelligence advisory board even though he had no obvious experience in the field.” The decision “baffled” the department’s professional staff.

The emails further reveal that, after inquiries from ABC News, Clinton’s staff sought to “protect the name” of the Secretary, “stall” the ABC News reporter, and ultimately accept the resignation of the donor just two days later.

The Clinton Foundation donor in question is Rajiv Fernando. The agency is the International Security Advisory Board (ISAB). Fernando, a Chicago securities trader who specialized in electronic investing, possessed no known background related to the matters the ISAB deals with, such as nuclear disarmament and other arms control issues.

Fernando himself would not answer questions from ABC News in 2011 about what qualified him for a seat on the board or led to his appointment.

When ABC News finally caught up with Fernando at the 2012 Democratic convention, he became upset and said he was “not at liberty” to speak about it. Security threatened to have the ABC News reporter arrested.

It isn’t difficult, though, to see what “qualified” Fernando for his national security gig:

Fernando’s history of campaign giving dated back at least to 2003 and was prolific. He was an early supporter of Hillary Clinton’s 2008 bid for president, giving maximum contributions to her campaign, and to HillPAC, in 2007 and 2008.

He also served as a fundraising bundler for Clinton, gathering more than $100,000 from others for her White House bid. After Barack Obama bested Clinton for the 2008 nomination, Fernando became a major fundraiser for the Obama campaign.

Prior to his State Department appointment, Fernando had given between $100,000 and $250,000 to the William J. Clinton Foundation, and another $30,000 to a political advocacy group, WomenCount, that indirectly helped Hillary Clinton retire her lingering 2008 campaign debts by renting her campaign email list.

COMMENT:  Ah, good government.  Who needs it when Hillary can have so much fun?  And her campaign for "women's rights"?  Bill and Hill, through the Clinton Foundation, have accepted millions from some of the worst woman-abusing regimes in the world.  Hey, why care when the cash is there? 

June 11, 2016       Permalink

THE WARNINGS – AT 11:38 A.M. ET:  The Rio Olympics begin in early August.  There are repeated warnings about health conditions in Rio, with serious medical authorities cautioning pregnant women, or those close to pregnant women, not to go because of the Zika virus, which can cause birth defects.  And then there's this, from Reuters: 

RIO DE JANEIRO Scientists have found dangerous drug-resistant "super bacteria" off beaches in Rio de Janeiro that will host Olympic swimming events and in a lagoon where rowing and canoe athletes will compete when the Games start on Aug. 5.

The findings from two unpublished academic studies seen by Reuters concern Rio's most popular spots for tourists and greatly increase the areas known to be infected by the microbes normally found only in hospitals.

They also heighten concerns that Rio's sewage-infested waterways are unsafe.

A study published in late 2014 had shown the presence of the super bacteria - classified by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) as an urgent public health threat - off one of the beaches in Guanabara Bay, where sailing and wind-surfing events will be held during the Games.

The first of the two new studies, reviewed in September by scientists at the Interscience Conference on Antimicrobial Agents and Chemotherapy in San Diego, showed the presence of the microbes at five of Rio's showcase beaches, including the ocean-front Copacabana, where open-water and triathlon swimming will take place.

The other four were Ipanema, Leblon, Botafogo and Flamengo.

The super bacteria can cause hard-to-treat urinary, gastrointestinal, pulmonary and bloodstream infections, along with meningitis. The CDC says studies show that these bacteria contribute to death in up to half of patients infected.

COMMENT:  Hey, what's to worry about?  There's money to be made on the Olympics.  The highest standards of safety should be maintained for athletes and visitors, but I get the sense that the glory of the first Latin American Olympics, and the aforementioned cash, are considered far more important by the decision makers.

We hope, of course, that the warnings are wrong.  If they are not, we are in for a heartbreaking disaster.  The better part of wisdom might be to cancel the Olympics, or move events to other countries.  It ain't gonna happen.

June 11,  2016     Permalink

JUNE 10,  2016

SHORT TAKES ON THE DRIFTING WRECKAGE – AT 11:53 P.M. ET: 

DEMS BUILD A FENCE! – FROM BREITBART:  Democrats are eager to build a wall around their Philadelphia presidential convention, but they’re refusing to preserve Americans’ legal walls against low-skill migration from low-wage countries, Sen. Jeff Sessions said today.  “It’s interesting that the Democratic National Committee will have a wall around their convention to keep unapproved people out while at the same time, their presumptive nominee, Hillary Clinton, pushes for open borders policies that are even more radical than President Obama’s,” Sessions said in Friday statement.   The Dems are completely blind to the concept of hypocrisy.  Doesn't bother them a bit.

BRITAIN BYE-BYE? – FROM BRITAIN'S INDEPENDENT:   The campaign to take Britain out of the EU has opened up a remarkable 10-point lead over the Remain camp, according to an exclusive poll for The Independent.  The survey of 2,000 people by ORB found that 55 per cent believe the UK should leave the EU (up four points since our last poll in April), while 45 per cent want it to remain (down four points). These figures are weighted to take account of people’s likelihood to vote. It is by far the biggest lead the Leave camp has enjoyed since ORB began polling the EU issue for The Independent a year ago, when it was Remain who enjoyed a 10-point lead. Now the tables have turned.  The referendum is June 23rd, 13 days from now.  If the Brits decide to exit, I want to be there to see the faces of the EU bureaucrats.  I'm sure counseling services will be available.

THIS IS TERRIFIC – FROM LONDON'S TELEGRAPH:   Multiple sclerosis patients who were severely disabled are walking, working and even downhill skiing again following a breakthrough therapy which completely destroys, then rebuilds, the immune system.  The trial, which is the first in the world to show complete long-term remission from the debilitating disease has been hailed by experts as ‘exciting’ ‘unprecedented,’ and ‘close to curative.’  Although it is unclear what causes MS it is thought that the immune system attacks the protective coating which surrounds nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord leading to inflammation, pain, disability and in severe cases, early death.  Always happy to bring good news amidst the gloom.  There is dazzling research going on.

June 10, 2016       Permalink

THE UNTOLD STORY – AT 11:31 A.M. ET:  One of the great untold stories of our time is the disgrace called South Africa.  Overrun by crime, sexual violence against women, and a leftist political class that swoons over foreign dictators, the country is in terrible shape.

It is also largely immune from criticism.  South Africa is, after all, the symbol of the battle against apartheid.  That's the narrative.  That's where the narrative in the West, especially among "intellectuals," begins and ends.  South Africa defeated apartheid, so who cares about the rest?  It's a perfect example of a mindset that includes race, gender, and ethnicity, and little else.

But South Africa is burning.  From South Africa today:     

Fourteen days of violent riots, protests and destroying South Africa. The compilation of the video illustrates how disastrous events between May 25 and June 8 this year, a total of 14 days is the reality of what is happening in South Africa. Riots around the country, from Johannesburg to Witbank, and Durban, plus other isolated incidents show the destruction caused by hooligans running amok. Hundreds of unemployed, frustrated and intimidated mobs are burning down South Africa, destroying property, looting shops and more. If this is the damage and destruction done in 14 days what does the future hold?

A video that the government and the South African Broadcasting Corporation (SABC) do not want you to see, real events that will not be aired on television. Recently the state-controlled television and the African National Congress (ANC) have banned the viewing of protests on television. The reason, violence will influence the youngsters in South Africa. It is all a cover up, the beginning of censorship to intimidate the 40 million ignorant masses who believe every word the ANC throw up.

Why are the people protesting? It has been 22 years of ANC democracy and freedom, yet the failure to meet the growing population’s demands has spiraled out of control. Are the protestors either intimidated by other political parties or genuinely frustrated with the ruling party?  Service deliveries and wrecked infrastructure, no housing, no food and no work all form part of the frustrations. However, being unemployed millions will be intimidated to ignite violence and protest for the sake of a pittance.

COMMENT:  Still not a big story in the U.S.  I guess the press has to have Al Sharpton's permission before examining the South African leadership.  But the country is smoldering.  How will the liberals in the media explain it if South Africa goes into open revolt? 

June 10, 2016       Permalink

BERNIE AND THE G-MEN – AT 10:35 A.M. ET:  Newt Gingrich is always interesting, and he has a fascinating theory as to why Bernie Sanders, the Karl Marx of Vermont, is staying in the presidential race.  From The Politico:   

Bernie Sanders is not yet leaving the Democratic race for president because of the ongoing FBI investigation into the private server Hillary Clinton used for official business as secretary of state, Newt Gingrich suggested Friday.

"First of all, if I were Bernie and I think this is what he’s doing, why should he drop out before the FBI drops out?" Gingrich remarked on "Fox & Friends."

He added, "As long as the FBI is in the game he might as well stay around at least until the convention."

Sanders, for his part, on Thursday indicated a willingness to work with Clinton to defeat Donald Trump in the general election while stopping short of dropping out before Tuesday's primary in the District of Columbia, the final event on the Democratic calendar.

COMMENT:  Maybe.  There is also informed speculation that Sanders will drop out after the D.C. primary on Tuesday.

Newt's take is compelling, however.  The FBI probe is still there, but pushed into the background by a compliant press this week because of the crowning of Queen Hillary. 

The FBI will not melt.  Even the White House, in what might have been a major rhetorical slip-up, referred yesterday to the FBI investigation of Hillary Clinton as "criminal," a term it has not used before. 

Wouldn't it be nuts if both parties had to replace their presidential candidates?  Just askin'.  It would certainly sell newspapers. 

June 10, 2016        Permalink

TRUMP FALTERS – AT 9:52 A.M. ET:  No doubt about it.   Trump's repeated blunders, and the obvious coolness of Republican leaders toward him, are starting to show up in poll numbers.  From The Politico: 

Faltering support for Donald Trump among voters is boosting Hillary Clinton’s advantage over him, according to a new poll released Thursday.

Clinton leads Trump by three percentage points — 42 percent to 39 percent — among voters nationwide according to the new Fox News poll.

Clinton's lead, which falls within the poll’s margin of error, represents a reversal of fortune for Trump, who held a three-point lead in a different Fox News poll three weeks ago. Since then, Trump’s support has dipped from 45 percent to 39 percent while Clinton’s has remained steady at 42.

Among independents, the news is even worse for Trump, whose support dropped 11 points relative to the previous Fox News poll. Support for the presumptive Republican nominee among voters who identified themselves as Republicans also dropped three points.

COMMENT:  It's that 11-point drop among independents that's devastating.  Trump may go into free fall if he doesn't wise up, start acting like a president, and stop sounding like an organized-crime hit man.

Many Republicans leaders don't like Trump, which is not necessarily a disaster.  The disaster part is that they don't trust him. 

It is probably a fantasy to think that Trump can be denied the Republican nomination.  He won it fair and square by competing in primaries.  But if there was ever a year when a third-party effort could succeed, it's this one.  And yet, no one appears.  What a comment on the state of American leadership.

June 10,  2016     Permalink