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SEPTEMBER 19,  2017

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

QUOTE OF THE DAY – FROM BREITBART:   President Trump’s total vindication over his wiretap claim reminds me of one of the most important things I have discovered over the past couple of years: If the national media loses its ever-loving mind and launches a campaign to brand Trump a liar, that can mean only one thing — that Trump is not only telling the truth, he is telling a Big Truth, an inconvenient truth, a truth the MSM does not want the American people to hear.  Yeah, I think there's something to be said for that.  It happened again today when some elements of the press went berserk over Trump's telling of simple truths at the UN.  Trump is no angel, and he isn't always accurate, but I'm amazed at how often he winds up being right.

OUR EDUCATED YOUNG – FROM TOWNHALL:  A disturbing new poll shows that a full 19 percent of college students think that it is acceptable to use violence to disrupt a speaker who is saying "offensive and hurtful" things on campus. This number is slightly higher among students who identify as Republican compared to Democrat students (22 to 20 percent), and is significantly higher among male students (30 percent) versus females (10 percent)...The poll also found that nearly 40 percent of students do not believe that the First Amendment covers "hate speech" (which it does), and that slightly over half of the students surveyed believe that it is okay to shout down a speaker who is making controversial comments so that they cannot be heard. Unlike the question that concerned the use of violence to stop a speaker, this question found that significantly more Democrats (62 percent) were in favor of this technique compared to Republicans (39 percent).  The hope, of course, is that the young, as they mature, will unlearn much of what they're being taught now, and learn more that is truthful and correct.  I think that often happens.  We should at least try to be optimistic.  Kids don't stay kids forever.

PUBLIC SERVICE – FROM USA TODAY:  Three Democratic lawmakers were arrested Tuesday outside Trump Tower in New York as part of a pro-DREAM Act demonstration, their offices confirmed.  Reps. Luis Gutiérrez of Illinois, Raul Grijalva of Arizona and Adriano Espaillat of New York were among the 10 people taken into custody and later released, the New York Police Department said. New York City Council Speaker Melissa Mark-Viverito was also arrested, police confirmed.  Demonstrators were calling on Congress to pass a clean version of legislation designed to shield DREAMers, undocumented immigrants who were brought into the country as children.  I kinda know those names.  They're about as far left as you can get without marrying Karl Marx.

September 19, 2017       Permalink 

STARRING DONALD TRUMP – AT 11:32 A.M. ET:  The president made his debut speech before the UN General Assembly this morning.  And...surprise...he was Donald Trump.

Although the Washington establishment no doubt prayed to the god of their choice for a "new" Trump, much like the fabulously failed Barack Obama, they got the real Trump, with some smooth diplomacy thrown in around the edges.  From Fox:   

New York (CNN ) President Donald Trump warned Tuesday that the US would "totally destroy North Korea" if forced to defend itself or its allies.

"The United States has great strength and patience, but if it is forced to defend itself or its allies, we will have no choice but to totally destroy North Korea," Trump said during his first address to the UN General Assembly.

"It is time for North Korea to realize that its denuclearization is its only responsible future," Trump said.

Trump also warned that Kim Jong Un -- whom he again referred to as "rocket man" -- "is on a suicide mission for himself."

"Rocket Man is on a suicide mission for himself," he said.

Trump's strong words came after he made the case that North Korea is a "country that imperils the world" and said that it is in no country's interest that North Korea continue on its current path of nuclear and ballistic missile development.

COMMENT:  John Bolton called this speech Trump's best, and I think he may be right.  He laid it right on the line to the UN that there's a new administration in Washington, and it intends to solve problems. 

Read the whole thing.

Reaction is coming in, with the usual suspects bashing Trump.  But reaction at the UN, at least thus far, is surprisingly muted.  Delegates actually applauded Trump's comments on Iran, and even his remark that he would take care of America first.  We'll have more on this.

September 19, 2017       Permalink

AN EVOLVING STRATEGY – AT 10:58 A.M. ET:  What to do about North Korea?  We're told that all the options are bad, but that's actually true in most international crises.  If not, they wouldn't be called crises.

What is the administration thinking?  From Barbara Starr, a CNN reporter I trust:   

(CNN) As tensions continue to ratchet up with North Korea, CNN has learned that the US is considering shooting down a North Korean ballistic missile even if it does not directly threaten the US or its allies.

Speaking to reporters Monday, Defense Secretary James Mattis said North Korea is "intentionally doing provocations that seem to press against the envelope for just how far can they push without going over some kind of a line in their minds that would make them vulnerable." 

An official directly familiar with options planning within the Trump administration told CNN the question that now needs to be answered is whether North Korea's missile program has progressed to the level of being such an inherent threat that the Pentagon would recommend targeting a missile even if its trajectory did not indicate it would hit the US or its allies. The official declined to speak on the record because of the sensitivity of the issue.

While US officials have long said the military maintains a full range of options for dealing with North Korea, the notion of shooting down a missile has largely centered on conducting an operation if the missile were to directly threaten the US or its allies. There has been particular concern since Kim Jong Un recently threatened the US territory of Guam.

The idea of shooting down a missile even if it is not a direct threat is not new. But with two recently launched North Korean missiles flying over northern Japan, the potential for having to consider a shoot-down without a direct threat remains very real, according to one senior defense official.

COMMENT:  It must remain a real possibility.  The heat on North Korea must be kept high.  There are risks, of course – a key one being the chance that our technology would fail and we would be humiliated if the attempted shootdown does not succeed.  There is also the risk that North Korea would react in a completely irrational manner. 

At least President Trump is addressing the threat seriously.  Previous presidents have simply kicked the can down the road through endless, and ultimately futile, negotiations.

September 19,  2017     Permalink

OBAMACARE REPEAL? – AT 9:46 A.M. ET:  This is kind of sneaking up on us.  Congressional Republicans are making a last-ditch attempt to repeal and replace Obamacare, following their humiliating failure to do it earlier.  They are close.  From The Hill:   

A last-ditch effort by Senate Republicans to repeal and replace ObamaCare is gaining steam, suggesting lawmakers could face another vote on ending the former president’s signature law later this month.

Supporters do not have the 50 votes necessary to pass the bill yet, but pressure is growing on Republicans to back the measure, which could replace much of ObamaCare with block grants for states.

In a crucial boost for its chances on Monday, Arizona Gov. Doug Ducey (R) offered his support.

“Congress has 12 days to say ‘yes’ to Graham-Cassidy. It’s time for them to get the job done,” he said, referring to the bill's two main co-sponsors, Sens. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) and Bill Cassidy (R-La.).

Ducey’s support is important because Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.) has said the Arizona governor's position would be an important factor in how he votes.

McCain helped kill the repeal effort in July, calling for committee hearings and a bipartisan process, but he has left the door open to voting for Graham and Cassidy's bill.

Still, McCain on Monday criticized the rushed process leading up to a possible vote next week, while not ruling out voting for the bill.

COMMENT:  Could be very interesting.  I am not an expert on the technicalities of the GOP proposal, but I've always favored grants to states.  The name of the country is the United States of America, and we sometimes forget that.  State participation in medical systems makes all kinds of sense.  It brings medical care closer to the people, and forces states to compete against each other for quality, fearing citizens and businesses will leave unless medical care is done right.  Maybe this is worth a try.

September 19, 2017     Permalink

SEPTEMBER 18,  2017

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

THE MADNESS CONTINUES – FROM FOX:   Citing the threat to the student body’s “physical and mental safety,” 177 professors at the University of California, Berkeley, have signed an open letter calling for a boycott of the campus’ so-called “Free Speech Week.  The speakers scheduled for the week—from Sept. 24 to 27— reportedly include Milo Yiannopoulos, Steve Bannon and Ann Coulter.
The San Francisco Chronicle described the event as “four days of rallies and speeches.”  The report said that—even without the boycott—it is unclear if the event will go through. Organizers did not pay for the facilities, the report said. The price tag for such an event is expected to be exorbitant. It cost $600,000 to secure a recent speech by conservative Ben Shapiro.  The letter from the professors said the event forces some students to risk their “physical and mental safety in order to attend class.”  A spokesman for the school told the paper that faculty members can decide where or when to teach their classes.  The Daily Californian, the student newspaper, reported that only five professors who teach STEM courses (science, technology, engineering, math) on campus signed the letter. The small numb of STEM signatures is not surprising.  Those are real professors who take their work seriously.  It's the humanities and social sciences that are collapsing at our colleges.

NANCY GETS AN EDUCATION – FROM THE NEW YORK POST:  Democratic Rep. Nancy Pelosi was shouted out of a news conference she was holding to defend the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program on Monday by a vocal group of Dreamers who blamed Democrats for being complicit with President Trump in ending the Obama-era initiative.  Pelosi, standing behind a podium decorated with a sign that said #protectdreamers, said, “Make America dream again. We must strike while the iron is hot and get this done in a matter of days.”  But a group of about 30 young people descended on the large room where the House minority leader stood with other local lawmakers from the San Francisco area and began chanting slogans.   Nancy will learn that you can never satisfy the political left.  You must agree to every point it makes...or else.  The disrupters are gradually taking over the Democratic Party.  There will be no room for Nancy, or Chuck Schumer.  It's Bernie they love.

HILLARY'S LAST STAND – FROM THE WASHINGTON TIMES:   Hillary Clinton on Monday would not rule out the possibility of challenging the results of the 2016 presidential election, saying it’s clear the Russians influenced the outcome and that the legitimacy of President Trump’s victory could be called into question as congressional and independent probes into Russian involvement move forward.  In an interview with NPR, the former secretary of state — who will speak in Washington on Monday evening as part of her nationwide book tour — would not rule out formally contesting the results of the election.  “I wouldn’t rule it out,” she said, though she quickly admitted there’s virtually no legal path forward, and that challenging election results at this point would be unprecedented.  “There are scholars, academics, who have arguments that it would be [possible], but I don’t think they’re on strong ground. But people are making those arguments. I just don’t think we have a mechanism,”  And I'm so glad we don't.  Remember, please, that the Dems tried to challenge the legitimacy of George W. Bush.  They cannot conceive of losing an election because they can't believe anyone would vote against them.

September 18,  2017     Permalink

OUT OF HER MIND – AT 10:53 A.M. ET:   Someone must take out a restraining order on Hillary Clinton.  It's getting very bad.  Physicians may be called.  From Fox:

Hillary Clinton rejects the idea that a June 2016 meeting between her husband, former President Bill Clinton, and then-Attorney General Loretta Lynch critically damaged her White House bid.

“I just don’t buy that,” Clinton said in a PBS interview aired Friday evening to promote her new book, “What Happened,” about her loss last year to Donald Trump.

As Clinton has in several other, recent interviews promoting the book, she heaped much of the blame on then-FBI Director James Comey.

Comey led the Justice Department investigation into Clinton’s use of private email servers as secretary of state, after Lynch stepped back in the probe, as a result of her allowing Bill Clinton into her airplane to talk while on the tarmac of a Phoenix airport.  

“My husband and Loretta Lynch said they didn’t say a word" about the probe, Clinton told PBS.

“I honestly reject that premise, partly because there’s a chain of command in the Justice Department.”

COMMENT:  Appearances, Hillary.  Appearances.  When things look bad, they hurt you.  Haven't you figured that out?

I'd love to see a new poll on Hillary versus Trump.  I'll bet she's going lower and lower in the numbers, based on her current behavior.  Trump is at 44% in this morning's Rasmussen poll, which is where Obama spent a good part of his presidency.

September 18, 2017       Permalink

EMMYS SINK – AT 10:41 A.M. ET:  I didn't watch the Emmys last night.  I suffer enough just watching TV cable news.  But the reports say the show was, as expected, a Trump-bashing, leftist exercise in adolescent hysteria.  From Deadline:

Facing a Green Bay Packers game on NBC’s Sunday Night Football once again, the POTUS bashing Emmys got knocked down a little to a new low last night – at least in the early numbers.

Snagging a 8.2 in metered market ratings, last night’s just over 8 – 11 PM Late Show host fronted shindig from DTLA’s fortified Microsoft Theater tripped 2% from the 2016 show. To give some necessary context, that result is from 50 of 56 markets reporting due to the aftermath of Hurricane Irma hitting Florida last week.

With that said, the result is also the third straight decline for TV’s big night with the FOX broadcast and Andy Samberg hosted 2015 Emmys and last year’s show on ABC respectively now in the third and second low place. 

COMMENT:  Who's surprised?  Hollywood begins its award shows by insulting half the TV audience.  The hosts make it plain that they're there to preach the liberal gospel, not to entertain.  How exciting.  I can't wait for next year's show. 

I understand that the TV people made much last night of their newfound "diversity."  Fine, but they'll soon learn that diversity must include more than the one or two groups who are chic in a particular year.  One actress announced that she was voting for anyone who was black.  Okay, but don't expect too much enthusiasm from Hispanics, Asians, or anyone else who doesn't fit the category.

September 18, 2017       Permalink

TAKE TRUMP SERIOUSLY – AT 9:56 A.M. ET:  He goes to the UN this week, and he's making it clear there'll be some changes made in American foreign policy.  From AP: 

VIENNA, Austria — US President Donald Trump warned Monday that Washington will walk away from a nuclear deal it agreed to with Iran and five other nations if it deems that the International Atomic Energy Agency is not tough enough in monitoring it.

The warning from Trump came in a message to the UN agency’s annual meeting, being held in Vienna, that was read by US Energy Secretary Rick Perry.

The United States asserts that Iran is obligated to open its military sites to IAEA inspection on demand if the agency suspects unreported nuclear activities at any of them. That’s something Tehran stridently rejects, and Iranian nuclear chief Ali Akbar Salehi urged the agency and its head, Yukiya Amano, to “resist such unacceptable demands.”

Asserting that Iran is fully complying with terms of the accord, Salehi said the greatest threat to its survival is “the American administration’s hostile attitude.”

But Trump, as quoted by Perry, suggested the deal could stand or fail on IAEA access to Iranian military sites, declaring “we will not accept a weakly enforced or inadequately monitored deal.”

COMMENT:   The deal is a disgrace to start with.  It is another example of Barack Obama's monstrous ego, which was always put ahead of the national security of the United States.  Ditto the equally monstrous ego of John Kerry. 

We hope that Trump pursues his hard line, and isn't distracted or pushed back by the Washington establishment, or the commercial interests of countries like Germany, which couldn't wait to trade with Iran once the nuclear deal was made. 

We are talking about the potential survival, or destruction, of tens of millions of people.  Trump understands that.  I'm not sure Obama ever cared.

September 18,  2017     Permalink