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MAY 30,  2015

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

MAJOR FASHION NEWS – From the New Zealand Herald:  "Bruce Jenner will model for Vanity Fair as a woman.  The former athlete is currently transitioning to a female and is set to undertake a photoshoot with world famous photographer Annie Leibovitz this summer to show off his new image.  The news - confirmed by gossip website TMZ - comes after it was revealed the Keeping Up With the Kardashians star has undergone surgery to make his face more feminine.  According to Radar Online, the 65-year-old star has had surgery 'to give Bruce's jawline and chin a softer look.'"  I'm so excited.  Much more important than the Iran nuclear talks.

MODERATE DEM IN REVOLT – From The Hill:  "Rep. John Delaney (Md.), a centrist House Democrat, on Friday warned that voices on the left have 'hijacked' his party’s message.  'With Washington already broken, the last thing we need is a left-wing version of the tea party,' Delaney wrote in a Washington Post op-ed published online Thursday evening. 'But I am worried about where some of the loudest voices in the room could take the Democratic Party.'  He said Democrats' 'party microphone has been hijacked by people more interested in scoring points than in solving problems.'"  Good to see Delaney speaking out.  Of course, this may end any plans he has for higher office.  The liberals insist on ideological conformity.

POOR HILLARY – From The New York Times:  "WASHINGTON — Over the last few months, Harold M. Ickes, a longtime ally of Hillary Rodham Clinton, has helped organize private meetings around the country with union leaders, Clinton backers and Democratic strategists. The pressing topic: Who will step up to be the Democrats’ megadonors in the 2016 presidential race?  Republican contenders have already secured hundreds of millions of dollars in commitments from a stable of billionaires, including a Wall Street hedge fund executive, a Las Vegas casino magnate, a Florida auto dealer, a Wyoming investor and, of course, the Kansas-born billionaires David H. and Charles G. Koch. But none of the biggest Democratic donors from past elections — for example, the Chicago investor Fred Eychaner, the climate-change activist Tom Steyer and the entertainment mogul Jeffrey Katzenberg — have committed to supporting Mrs. Clinton on nearly the same scale.  'No one has stepped forward as the savior,' said Matt Bennett, a longtime Democratic consultant in Washington."  Hillary might have to spend some of her own money. 

May 30, 2015       Permalink

O'MALLEY IN – NOTICE THE DIFFERENCE? – AT 11:32 A.M. ET:  The former mayor of Baltimore and governor of Maryland announced this morning for the Democratic nomination for president.  He is running to the left of Hillary Clinton.   From the Washington Times: 

Former Maryland Gov. Martin O'Malley officially announced his candidacy for the White House on Saturday, becoming the second Democratic challenger to Hillary Clinton’s campaign.

“I declare that I am a candidate for president of the United States and I am running for you,” Mr. O'Malley announced from a park in Baltimore where he served as mayor before winning two terms as governor.

The 52-year-old vowed to rebuild the American dream saying it is currently “hanging by a thread.”

“For over 200 years we have been the architects of our own future and now we must build anew,” Mr. O'Malley said.

As President, Mr. O'Malley said he would focus on improving the economy by adding infrastructure and clean energy jobs and increasing the federal minimum wage. He added that American workers deserve the right to collectively bargain for better wages.

He also called for comprehensive immigration reform, saying “the enduring symbol of our nation is not the barbed wire fence, it is the Statue of Liberty.”

The announcement doesn’t come as a surprise, Mr. O'Malley has made several visits in recent months to early-voting Iowa, and plans to head there again after the Baltimore announcement, as well as New Hampshire.

Mr. O’Malley joins the Democratic primary race challenging former Secretary of State and likely nominee Hillary Clinton, and self-proclaimed socialist Sen. Bernie Sanders, (I-Vt.).

During his announcement Mr. O'Malley took a jab at legacy candidates like Mrs. Clinton and former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush saying, “the presidency is not a crown to be passed back and forth.”

Mr. O'Malley, an old ally of former President Bill Clinton, was the second governor to endorse Mrs. Clinton’s 2008 campaign but he says Democrats deserve more choices in the 2016 primary.

COMMENT:  Hard to be impressed.  Sure, O'Malley is a likable guy, but he's way behind Hillary Clinton, with not much to offer.  As mayor, he presided over a dying city that has now exploded.  As governor, he couldn't get his chosen successor elected.  Maryland now has a Republican governor.

Besides, Dems looking for a left-wing alternative to the already left-wing Hillary will turn to Bernie Sanders, who's the genuine article – a committed and open socialist.  In fact, Bernie's numbers are moving up.  People like his honesty, even though his ideas are nutty.  At least Dems will know what they're getting. 

May 30, 2015        Permalink

NUKE TALKS STALLING – AT 10:58 A.M. ET:  France is balking at more concessions to the Iranians.  The International Atomic Energy Agency says it's having difficulty getting accurate information from Iran on possible military uses for its atoms program.  The nuclear talks have a deadline a month from now.  There hasn't, apparently, been much progress.  And now John Kerry will do some personal negotiating of his own.  From AFP and AP:

Top US diplomat John Kerry and his Iranian counterpart Mohammad Javad Zarif began key nuclear talks in Geneva on Saturday ahead of a June 30 deadline to reach a historic deal.

Kerry and Zarif arrived simultaneously on the first floor of a leading Geneva hotel in opposite elevators and greeted each other with smiles and a handshake.

They chatted as they walked together along the corridor to the meeting room on the same floor.

Asked by a journalist, whether they expected to meet the nuclear negotiating deadline, Zarif smiled and said: “We will try.” Kerry did not respond.

After an interim accord hammered out in Geneva in November 2013, Washington and Tehran are grappling with the final details of the ground-breaking agreement that would see Iran curtail its nuclear ambitions in return for a lifting of crippling international sanctions.

World powers believe they have secured Iran’s acquiescence to a combination of nuclear restrictions that would fulfill their biggest goal: keeping Iran at least a year away from bomb-making capability for at least a decade. But they are less clear about how they’ll ensure Iran fully adheres to any agreement.

Various Iranian officials, including Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, the supreme leader, have publicly vowed to limit access to or even block monitors from sensitive military sites and nuclear scientists suspected of previous involvement in covert nuclear weapons efforts.

The US says such access must be guaranteed or there will be no final deal. A report Friday by the UN nuclear agency declared work essentially stalled on its multiyear probe of Iran’s past activities.

COMMENT:  It just isn't working out.  The Iranian goal is clearly to have a weak deal with many holes in it, and a deal that will include the lifting of sanctions on Tehran.  I have the sense that they're calculating that's exactly what they'll get because Obama is so desperate for an agreement. 

I'm not sure they're right.  France can block a weak deal, and seems ready to do so.  So can Congress, if only by a symbolic vote.  There is bipartisan opposition to a deal that doesn't include sufficient safeguards.

The next month is crucial.  Waiting from the wings is Hillary Clinton, who will not be hurt by a bad deal in her quest for the Democratic nomination, the Democratic Party being what it is.  But she may well be hurt in the general election campaign, when adults are allowed to vote.

May 30, 2015       Permalink

CHINA FLEXES – AT 10:31 A.M. ET:  China is building artificial islands in the South China Sea, in waters it claims.  Now we have detected artillery on one of those islands.  From Fox: 

U.S. surveillance images show China has positioned weaponry on at least one of the artificial islands it is developing in the South China Sea, officials say, apparently confirming suspicions that Beijing has been building up the area for military use.

A U.S. official confirmed to Fox News on Friday that China has put artillery pieces on its man-made islands.

The Wall Street Journal, citing U.S. officials, first reported that images taken about a month ago showed two Chinese motorized artillery pieces on one of the artificial reefs. Although the weaponry would not pose a threat to U.S. planes or ships, it could potentially reach neighboring islands, the officials told the paper.

“There is no military threat,” one official told the Journal. “But it is about symbolism.”

The Journal reported that in recent weeks the artillery has disappeared from view, though it was not clear how of why. U.S. officials said they believed the equipment had either been removed or purposely obscured by the Chinese.

The American officials said that the artillery, is within striking range of an island claimed by Vietnam, which that country's government has armed with various weaponry for some time.

COMMENT:  Ironically, John McCain, who suffered horribly as a prisoner of the North Vietnamese during the Vietnam War, is advocating that Washington equip the Vietnamese with defensive weapons.  How history turns.

China is becoming increasingly aggressive, and we are becoming increasingly passive.  But a new president is elected in a year and five months.  We have a chance to recover from this administration's pathetic foreign policy.  But will we seize it?

May 30,  2015     Permalink

MAY 29,  2015

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

WHO? – From The Hill:  "Former Rhode Island Gov. Lincoln Chafee will jump into the Democratic presidential field with an official announcement on Wednesday, according to a Friday news report.  Politico reports that Chafee will announce during a speech at the George Mason Center for Politics & Foreign Relations and will travel to New Hampshire the following day to meet Democrats in Grafton County.  Chafee announced his surprise exploratory bid in April while bashing Democratic front-runner Hillary Clinton for her vote to authorize the Iraq War in 2003. Chafee also served in the Senate at that time and voted against the war.  He panned the vote during an April interview with The Hill as a 'disqualifier' and said that it led to the current rise of Islamic militants in the Middle East."  Well, there's the old saying that any kid in America can grow up to be president.  I'm afraid Chafee took that too seriously.  No chance.

GREAT MOMENTS IN SPORTS – The big cheese at FIFA, the international soccer federation, has been re-elected.  From AP:  "In the end, nothing could stop Sepp Blatter.  Not a far-reaching corruption scandal. Not a tarnished international image. Not a young prince who gave him a stronger-than-expected challenge.  Despite the biggest crisis in FIFA's 111-year history, Blatter emerged victorious once again Friday, winning re-election as president of world soccer's governing body for a fifth term and proving he is the sport's ultimate survivor.  'I am now the president of everybody,' the 79-year-old Blatter crowed after defeating Prince Ali bin al-Hussein of Jordan to secure another four years in office as one of the most powerful men in sports."  What an example to the youth of the world.  Who cares about a little corruption?

BALTIMORE STORY – From CBS Baltimore:  "BALTIMORE (WJZ)–A young child, killed in a double shooting in southwest Baltimore just as another young victim is released from the hospital, with a bullet still in his leg. Police say it’s all part of a disturbing and growing trend.  A mother and her young son gunned down in the city. Now, frustration grows as violent crimes– claim more lives and police say more and more children are getting caught in the crossfire...Baltimore’s homicides swell to 38 this month–totaling 111 so far this year...Lawmakers say non-fatal shootings of children in Baltimore is up 500-percent from last year."  We all know, of course, that this was caused by George Bush and Dick Cheney. 

May 29,  2015     Permalink

WHAT ARE WE GETTING FOR IT? – AT 11:40 A.M. ET:   The secretary of state has taken Cuba off the terror-supporting list, opening the way for full diplomatic relations.  From Fox:

The U.S. has taken Cuba off its list of state sponsors of terrorism.

Secretary of State John Kerry has signed an order removing Cuba from the U.S. terrorism blacklist as part of the process of normalizing relations between the Cold War foes.

Kerry acted 45 days after the Obama administration informed Congress of its intent to do so. Lawmakers had that much time to weigh in and try to block the move, but did not do so.

The step comes as officials from the countries continue to hash out details of restoring full diplomatic relations, including opening embassies in Washington and Havana and returning ambassadors to the two countries. Friday's removal of Cuba from the terrorism list had been a key Cuban demand.

COMMENT:  Precisely what are getting for this?  We have apparently not made a single demand that Cuba improve its human-rights situation, another proof that the left has lost its interest in democracy and freedom.  (The left is into "equality" and "diversity.")

Yes, some American companies are eager to do business in Cuba.  But recognition by the United States is a major international prize.  We could have demanded much more from the Cuban government, but that is not Obama's way. 

May 29, 2015       Permalink

DEMS CONCERNED ABOUT HISPANIC VOTE – AT 10:18 A.M. ET:  Dem guru David Axelrod, one of the brains behind Obama's runs for the presidency, is assessing the potential for some GOP presidential candidates to cut into the Hispanic vote.  From the Washington Times: 

David Axelrod, one of the chief strategists for President Obama’s 2008 election and 2012 re-election campaigns, said Friday that Sen. Marco Rubio of Florida and former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush stand out in the 2016 GOP field because of their ability to make inroads with Latinos.

Mr. Axelrod was asked on MSNBC’s “Morning Joe” if he were advising former Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton, the 2016 Democratic presidential frontrunner, which Republican candidates or potential candidates scare him the most.

“I would say Rubio and I would say Bush because of their ability to reach into the Hispanic vote,” Mr. Axelrod said. “One of the reasons why Democrats have had an advantage in these national elections is because of the advantage we’ve had with minority voters.”

He pointed out that 2012 GOP presidential nominee Mitt Romney got 27 percent of the Hispanic vote, while former President George W. Bush won 44 percent of the Hispanic vote in his successful 2004 re-election campaign.

“If they nominate a candidate who can reach into that constituency, the fastest-growing constituency in American politics, they have a chance in states like Colorado and Florida to turn things around,” he said. “So that’s one thing I worry about.”

Mr. Rubio announced last month he is running for president, while Mr. Bush has not formally declared his candidacy yet.

COMMENT:  I think that's a fair analysis.  As readers know, I've had good feelings about Rubio for a long time.  The thing that clearly matters most in a presidential election is winning.  There are no silver medals in politics.  And, at present, I see Rubio as having the greatest chance to win.  I can't wait to see the young, dynamic Rubio in a debate with the aging, frumpy, scandal-plagued Hillary Clinton.  Side by side, on the same stage.  Hillary hates answering questions.  Rubio loves it.  He's a fine speaker and he knows the issues cold.  Bring it on.

May 29, 2015        Permalink

DO BLACK LIVES MATTER? – QUOTE OF THE DAY – AT 9:44 A.M. ET:  We've heard the slogan.  We'll probably see the movie.  But what is the reality?  The reality is that only certain black lives matter – those that serve the interests of black leaders like Al Sharpton.  Other black lives don't matter at all.  From Rich Lowry at The Politico: 

Let’s be honest: Some black lives really don’t matter. If you are a young black man shot in the head by another young black man, almost certainly no one will know your name. Al Sharpton won’t come rushing to your family’s side with cameras in tow. MSNBC won’t discuss the significance of your death. No one will protest, or even riot, for you. You are a statistic, not a cause. Just another dead black kid in some city somewhere, politically useless to progressives and the media, therefore all but invisible.

The same Memorial Day weekend during which there were nearly 30 shootings and nine mostly young people were murdered in Baltimore, demonstrators were out in force, blocking traffic — not to protest the shootings, of course, but the state of Maryland funding a youth jail in a city that rather desperately needs a youth jail.

COMMENT:  So well said.  And I believe that Lowry is reflecting a growing opinion across the country, a country that is eminently fair when addressing legitimate grievances, but harsh when it spots a phony.  And the phonies are everywhere.

May 29, 2015       Permalink

ECONOMY SLUMPING – AT 9:26 A.M. ET:  Did someone say recovery?  Whatever recovery our economy shows is fragile and weak.  From The New York Times:

The economy got off to an even weaker start this year than first thought, the government reported Friday, as economic activity contracted amid a disappointing trade picture and continued caution on spending by businesses and consumers alike.

The 0.7 percent decline in economic output in the first quarter of 2015 was a reversal of the initial 0.2 percent advance for the period reported last month by the Commerce Department.

While statistical quirks and one-time factors like wintry weather in some parts of the country played a role, as did a work slowdown at West Coast ports, the lackluster report for January, February and March underscores the American economy’s seeming inability to generate much momentum.

COMMENT:  It is even possible that we could be slipping into a new recession, without many resources left to aid recovery.  The administration will not consider a tax cut, and keeps imposing new regulations.  In addition, racial turmoil in several cities will have, as it always does have, a profound influence on tourism and local economies. 

The person who should be worried most about this is Hillary Clinton.  She doesn't want to take a poor economy into the 2016 election campaign.  It was her husband's 1992 campaign that produced the slogan, "It's the economy, stupid."  Maybe they were right.

At the same time, Republicans must have an economic program that brings hope.  I'm not seeing much in that area.

May 29,  2015     Permalink