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DECEMBER 25,  2015

SHORT TAKES ON THE DRIFTING WRECKAGE – AT 11:52 P.M. ET:

CHRISTMAS EVE GIFT – From Fox:   The Office of the Director of National Intelligence on Thursday released 16 pages of sensitive documents related to the 2012 Benghazi terror attack.  The documents, released ahead of the Christmas holiday, include mostly blacked-out emails and some press clippings about events in Libya after the attack on the U.S. embassy, which left four Americans dead. The event has become a central part of Republican criticism of Hillary Clinton's time as Secretary of State as she runs for president.  A few of the heavily redacted emails discuss the drafting of an assessment of the threat level before the attack occurred. Congress had requested the assessment in the months after the attack.  A Christmas Eve "document dump," as it's called, guarantees little press interest.  During most of the year, document dumps are reserved for Friday nights.

THIS RESTORES FAITH IN OUR COLLEGE KIDS – From Fox:   A group of students at Georgia Institute of Technology showed their appreciation for a security guard in a special way.  According to a Facebook post by the school, students from the Scheller College of Business wanted to thank the security guard who always brightens their days.  “We just want to show you how much we appreciate you and all that you do for us each day, bringing energy, making our days better,” a student says in a video.  The 150 students hoped to raise $100 as a token of appreciation, but they surpassed their goal and gave the security guard $1,600.  The security guard was so moved by the act of kindness, he was speechless.  He opened the card from the students and teared up.  “It’s not about the money. It’s about how many people donated and how much we appreciate you every day,” the student said.  Now those are good kids, and I think there are far more of them than news stories allow us to believe.

RECORD WARMTH – From accuweather.com:  Christmas Eve felt more like Memorial Day across much of the eastern United States as temperatures rose between 20 and 35 degrees above average and 5-15 degrees above previous record highs.  Records were broken from the Southeast to New England with some areas breaking their previous record high by more than 10 degrees F.  Some records were broken from the 1800s.
The highs that occurred on Thursday are more typical of late spring and early summer.  This, of course, will be attributed to global warming.  And when temperatures plunge and a blizzard comes, that too will be attributed to global warming.  In 2009, New York got snow in June.  Freak weather occurs fairly often.

December 25, 2015      Permalink

QUOTE OF THE DAY – AT 12:38 P.M. ET:   From Peggy Noonan, in The Wall Street Journal:

A long time ago in a country far, far away, America had less of everything and holidays were easier and more modest.

Only 50 and 60 years ago, well within human memory, Christmas was a plainer, simpler affair. Everyone—even the rich, but certainly the poor and in-between—had less. Because America had less. You’d get a sweater and socks instead of five toys, or five toys instead of 10. Technology was something that existed at places like NASA. No one’s wish list had a hoverboard, an iPad, or a brightly wrapped drone. There were more big families, whose children understood that even Santa couldn’t cover them all.

You could make gifts. Or you could buy one after saving up, and the recipient could guess the sacrifice involved. And because there were fewer gifts, the one you got made a big impression.

And so a nod to the more modest Christmases of years past. These memories came with a declared or implied, “We didn’t have much, but . . .” And this was said not with resentment or self pity but a kind of pride and wistfulness.

COMMENT:  Families were also closer.  You tended to live in the same neighborhood, or at least the same town, with other family members.  We are more stretched out today.  We claim to be connected, but it's only with wires.

December 25, 2015       Permalink

SOME PROGRESS AGAINST ISIS – AT 11:44 A.M.  ET:  We always give credit where it's due.  There seems to be some military progress against ISIS in Iraq.  From Powerline: 

The Washington Post reports that Iraqi troops, supported by U.S. air strikes, have stormed into the center of Ramadi, the capital of Anbar province. At last word, they hadn’t yet retaken the city from ISIS, but their prospects of doing so seem excellent.

According to the Post, this is the first major offensive by the Iraqi army in which Shiite militias have been largely excluded. Thus, it can be viewed as a test of the army’s ability to go it alone. If so, the army is passing the test.

However, there are reports that ISIS has pretty much abandoned Ramadi, leaving only a few hundred fighters plus the inevitable deadly explosives devices and booby traps.

Before the assault, the Iraqis dropped leaflets urging civilians to evacuate. However, ISIS is believed to have prevented them from doing so. Since the assault, a few hundred civilians have been able to reach Iraqi forces, but thousands, and perhaps tens of thousands, are said still to be trapped alongside ISIS fighters, who will use them as shields.

Retaking Ramadi, which is about 80 miles from Baghdad, would have both strategic and symbolic significance. Recall that when the city fell to ISIS, Iraqis blamed the U.S. for not providing enough air support, while U.S. officials didn’t even try to hide their contempt for Iraqi forces, who withdrew despite their superior numbers.

COMMENT:  And Mosul may be next to fall to Iraqi forces.  This is good, but there are some serious asterisks:  ISIS is very shrewd, and knows when to fall back and put its resources elsewhere.  The elsewhere right now is Afghanistan, where both ISIS and the Taliban are growing in power. 

We applaud every victory over ISIS, but the fight is far from over.  ISIS can stage strategic retreats in some areas, only to appear elsewhere in substantial numbers. 

December 25, 2015       Permalink

CHRISTMAS DAY – AT 10:56 A.M. ET:  Urgent Agenda is published 365 days a year.  Thus we publish on Christmas Day.  We maintain the same publishing schedule as a daily newspaper, although we're not a newspaper.  But our schedule allows us to be up to date every day.  What it does to my sleep is another matter entirely.

On this Christmas Day, let us not forget that Christianity is now the most persecuted religion in the world, by far.  From Sky News: 

Christianity is facing "elimination" in the Middle East at the hands of an Islamic State "apocalypse", the Archbishop of Canterbury has warned.

The Most Reverend Justin Welby used his Christmas Day sermon at Canterbury Cathedral to say IS is "igniting a trail of fear, violence, hatred and determined oppression".

He branded the Islamic extremists as "a Herod of today" - a reference to the Biblical despotic king of Judea at the time of Jesus's birth.

"Confident that these are the last days, using force and indescribable cruelty, they (IS) seem to welcome all opposition, certain that the warfare unleashed confirms that these are indeed the end times," he said.

"They hate difference, whether it is Muslims who think differently, Yazidis or Christians, and because of them the Christians face elimination in the very region in which Christian faith began.

"This apocalypse is defined by themselves and heralded only by the angel of death."

COMMENT:  I'm very surprised, and somewhat angered, by the silence of many Christian organizations in the United States toward the persecution of Christians elsewhere.  Recall the words of Hillel:  "If I am not for myself, then who will be for me? But when I am for myself, then what am 'I'? And if not now, when?"

Barack Obama, a few days ago, finally got around to offering a prayer for persecuted Christians.  But the persecution is growing, especially in the Mideast.  If not now, when?

December 25,  2015     Permalink

DECEMBER 24,  2015

SHORT TAKES ON THE DRIFTING WRECKAGE – AT 11:56 P.M. ET:

MAJOR CHRISTMAS ETIQUETTE BULLETIN – Please pass this on to loved ones.  From the Denver Post:   Santas-in-training in Australia have been warned by a recruitment firm that "ho-ho-ho" is no longer politically correct.  The Daily Telegraph reports that Westaff - which supplies hundreds of Santas across Australia - is telling trainees that the signature catchphrase could frighten children and be derogatory to women.   They suggest "ha-ha-ha," instead.  Some Santa hopefuls have dropped out of the course in protest. Name one child who's been frightened by "ho-ho-ho."  I dare you.

FOOD LADY OFFERED HER JOB BACK – We reported the beginning of this story at last night's "Short Takes."  The saga continues.  From Mediaite:   Pocatello Chubbuck School District’s heart grew three sizes this week after angry parents and internet strangers protested the firing of a middle school cafeteria lunch lady who offered a hungry student free lunch.  Irving Middle School originally fired Dalene Bowden for “stealing” after she gave a 12-year-old girl without lunch money a hot meal for free...A petition demanding the school district change its policy and re-hire Bowden garnered over 80,000 signatures in less than two weeks. “This kitchen aid deserves to keep her job,” the petition reads. “Lunch room policies should prioritize kindness and making sure kids receive a nutritious lunch so they can be ready to learn.”  In a statement, the school district said it “does not and has not ever taken negative employment action against any food service worker due to a singular event of this nature.”  But, the statement continued, “in the spirit of the holidays” the school district “has been in communication with Ms. Bowden, extending an opportunity for her to return to employment.”  Maybe the "educators" have learned a lesson.  Educators often need further education.

AND AFTER THE CHRISTMAS MEAL – From London's Telegraph:  A cure for sugar cravings is a major step nearer after scientists identified a hormone that suppresses a "sweet tooth".  Researchers say their findings, published online in the journal Cell Metabolism, could improve the diet and help patients who are diabetic or obese.  While sugar cravings are common, particularly at this time of year, the physiological mechanisms that trigger our "sweet tooth" were not well defined until now.  But the new study in mice shows that a hormone produced by the liver, fibroblast growth factor 21 (FGF21), suppresses the consumption of simple sugars.  The researchers say that FGF21 is produced in the liver in response to high carbohydrate levels. The hormone then enters the bloodstream, where it sends a signal to the brain to suppress the preference for sweets.  I'm sure it's a great medical advance, but, once again, evil conspirators are taking all the fun out of things.  You can pretend you didn't read the article.  Enjoy the Christmas pie.

December 24, 2015        Permalink

CHILLING – AT 10:41 A.M. ET:  Even Christmas travelers aren't safe from rabid ideologists.  From  AP: 

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) -- The Mall of America was used as "a decoy" to start a protest that quickly moved to Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport and blocked a terminal on a busy holiday travel day, one organizer of the demonstration said.

Access to one of two terminals was closed after more than 100 protesters gathered inside and blocked roads leading to the airport Wednesday, airport spokesman Patrick Hogan said. He said the protest caused some flight delays but no cancellations.

Protesters hoping to draw attention to the police shooting last month of a black man in Minneapolis had described in advance their plans to target the mall, but not the airport. They started at the shopping mecca in suburban Bloomington, where there was a heavy police presence, then took a light-rail train to the airport.

"The mall was a decoy," said Black Lives Matter organizer Miski Noor, who protested at the airport. "I think it was really effective."

COMMENT:  The recklessness is appalling.  Airports are critical facilities, and facilities that must be reached quickly in the event of an accident.  The right to protest is enshrined in American law and tradition, but that right is not absolute.  Shutting down or blocking an airport, especially when that blockage begins as an act of deception, is not part of the deal.

December 24, 2015       Permalink

INCREDIBLE – AT 9:47 A.M. ET:  It has come to this.  From the Jerusalem Post: 

Authorities in the southern French city of Montpellier this week arrested a young woman in possession of a fake pregnant stomach accessory, in fear that it could be used to conceal explosives in a suicide attack, French media reported Wednesday.

The plastic prosthesis, ordered via the Internet by the suspect, could be attached to the torso to give the illusion of pregnancy.

The accessory was found hollowed out and covered in aluminum foil, and security forces were investigating whether the suspect intended to conceal a bomb under the appendage.

On Monday, anti-terrorism forces arrested the suspect, identified by French media only by first name as Camille, after searches of her home.

According to the reports, the 23-year-old suspect had converted to Islam and became "radicalized."

The suspected reported told investigators that the device was intended to be used for shoplifting.

Authorities placed in custody both the young woman and her husband.

COMMENT:  The excuse that the device was for shoplifting, while possible, raises doubts because the woman had become radicalized.  Too much of a coincidence.  Terror groups are becoming increasingly inventive.  Remember – they only have to be lucky once.

December 24, 2015       Permalink

A CHRISTMAS GIFT THAT WILL BENEFIT MILLIONS – AT 9:25 A.M. ET:  There is political upheaval in Latin America, and for once the good side is winning.  From AP: 

BOGOTA, Colombia (AP) -- After a decade on the advance, the left in South America is in retreat.

Just in the past month, voters in Argentina elected a conservative businessman president over the chosen successor of Cristina Fernandez and Brazil's congress launched an impeachment probe against President Dilma Rousseff, whose approval ratings have been languishing in single digits.

In perhaps the biggest turnabout, voters in Venezuela, where the region's leftward shift began, handed the opposition a landslide victory in congressional elections - its first nationwide legislative win since the U.S.-bashing Hugo Chavez won the presidency in 1998.

The backlash comes amid an economic storm of the likes the region hasn't seen in decades. While all political dynasties are paying the price for broken economies and unchecked corruption, most of South America's governments are run by leftists who came to power as China's economy was taking off over the past 15 years, fueling demand for the region's raw materials.

Now that the Asian giant is struggling, prices for the region's copper, soy beans and oil have plummeted along with its currencies, taking with them the aspirations of millions of families that rose into the middle class on the back of the economic boom. At the same time, U.S. interest rates are rising again for the first time in seven years, adding pressure on borrowers already struggling to pay back dollar loans.

COMMENT:  The changes are good news, but realism is in order.  The left still holds pockets of power in Latin America, and the left is a religion.  It does not change nor give up.  In Argentina, Brazil, and Venezuela, conservative reformers still must deal with entrenched leftists in parliaments.  And the Castros still run Cuba.

But change is in the air.  We hope that once Latin Americans get a taste of real democracy and economic freedom, they will not want to go back.

December 24,  2015     Permalink