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OCTOBER 6,  2015

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

HE'S BAACK! – From Reuters:   BERLIN - A German actor who dressed up as Adolf Hitler and traveled through the country for four weeks chatting to smiling voters and stroking their pets for a film that opens this week says he was shocked by the warm welcome he received.  The film "Look Who's Back" is an adaptation of a satirical novel by Timur Vermes which has sold over a million copies. In it, Hitler wakes up in modern times, becomes a celebrity and enters politics again.  Vermes has said he wrote the book to lambast what he calls Germans' complacency about the Nazis and highlight his belief that Hitler would have a chance to succeed today, even though the modern German state is constructed to ensure that Nazi tyranny can never return.  The film's director and lead actor said that the time spent touring Germany, shooting footage that has been incorporated into the movie, had opened their eyes and that they had witnessed a shift to the right in attitudes.  The World War II generation is almost gone, and with them the lessons from that grim time.

CHARM CITY? – From Fox:   Baltimore's bloody summer ended with a barrage of bangs, as the rate of homicides and gun crimes continued to spike in the wake of the racially charged case of Freddie Gray, whose death in police custody left citizens angry and cops demoralized.  For September, homicides were up 39 percent and non-fatal shootings nearly doubled over the same month in 2014, continuing a disturbing trend that has gripped the Charm City since Gray's death in April and the rioting that followed. For the year, murders are up 52 percent and non-fatal shootings 80 percent over last year.  "We have highly motivated bad guys in Baltimore," Baltimore police spokesman T.J. Smith told FoxNews.com.  I wish the schools were that motivated.

TRUMP'S MOUTH – From Fox:   Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump took a swipe at former President George W. Bush Tuesday night on Fox News’ “Special Report with Bret Baier,” saying he had been a “disaster” and entering the Iraq War was “one of the worst decisions ever made.”  In a sit-down interview with Baier, the front-running GOP candidate also said he thought eminent domain, the right of the government or a builder to take away property from its owner for compensation, was “wonderful.”  Trump, a billionaire real estate mogul, suggested property owners shouldn’t hold out in situations where a factory or other job-creation project is proposed and discredited the charge eminent domain meant the government simply grabbed Americans’ homes and other properties.  Frankly, I'm getting bored with Trump.  We know him well here in New York.  He's essentially a landlord.  But he doesn't understand that staring down Al Qaeda or ISIS isn't the same as staring down a battalion of interior decorators. 

October 6, 2015       Permalink

JOE, WHERE ARE YOU? – AT 11:58 A.M. ET:  I'm getting a sense that Democrats are becoming a bit frustrated by Joe Biden.  They sympathize with the loss of his son, but we're talking about the presidency of the United States here, and Joe just isn't showing up.  Will he or won't he?  And, in the end, will the people of the country care?  From Andrew Malcolm at IBD:    

Joe Biden is 86.7% certain to make a run for the 2016 Democratic presidential nomination, uninformed aides say. Maybe 87.4%. The vice president is delaying his formal announcement until final new-job numbers come in from his guaranteed stimulus summer of 2010.

Biden has been playing the media like a violin in recent weeks. He is running. He isn’t running, according to advisers so sure of their prediction they decline to be identified. Aides are already compiling a file of fresh gaffes for Biden to try.

A Biden wink means it’s a go. Or maybe there’s something in his eye. Every smile is reminiscent of all those wasted grins in two previous stunningly unsuccessful runs. The one where the most voluble Democrat since Hubert Humphrey got caught plagiarizing. And the one where Joe gave up before he got crushed.

The only reason Biden’s name comes up now is because the Democrat front-runner is living down to her husband’s reputation for scandals.

Mark Oct. 22 on your calendar. That’s her appointment in Samarra before the House Select Committee on Benghazi when we may learn what difference at this point her testimony about that deadly night makes.

A lot of Dems say they don’t trust Hillary Clinton. They don’t like Hillary Clinton. But they’re sticking with Hillary Clinton now because, they’ve got no other realistic choice at this point. Would her party really nominate a 74-year-old socialist because he draws big crowds?

So, what are they gonna do, vote for Joe because he’s only 73? Until next month when he turns 74 too. Or go all out for young seniors with Hillary, who turns 68 in 20 days?

COMMENT:  There's an old saying that a presidential candidate is never so popular as on the day before he announces.  Then the scrutiny comes.

There is no "wanting" of Joe.  We cannot hear the cheers.  He would be brought in from the bull pen to try to save the Democrats' game because Hillary is getting hit too often.  If Hillary starts coming back in the polls, Joe may not be needed.  If she doesn't start coming back, he's probably in. 

The Dem bench is thin, and aging.  But you can't beat somebody with nobody, and so far the GOP is not uniting behind a winner.

Nothing is certain at this point except uncertainty.

October 6, 2015       Permalink

AH YES, I REMEMBER IT WELL – During the Cold War, including its hotter moments, the Soviet Union and its allies would claim that troops fighting for various Communist causes were "volunteers."  Just proud, patriotic guys who wanted to join the struggle for social justice.   The term is now returning.  Oh, Putin's nostalgia for the good old Kremlin days.  Is there any end to it?  From The New York Times: 

MOSCOW — Ratcheting up the confrontation over the Syria war, Russia said Monday that its “volunteer” ground forces would join the fight, and NATO warned the Kremlin after at least one Russian warplane trespassed into Turkey’s airspace.

The saber-rattling on both sides reflected a dangerous new big-power entanglement in the war, as longstanding differences between Russia and the United States over President Bashar al-Assad of Syria and his opponents increasingly play out not only in the halls of the United Nations but on the battlefield in Syria.

Russia squared off with Turkey and its NATO allies, calling the air incursion on Saturday an innocent mistake because of foul weather — a claim American officials rejected.

News services said late Monday that a second airspace violation might have been committed on Sunday, but that report could not be immediately confirmed.

The Russian air and ground deployments in Syria challenge the regional policies of President Recep Tayyip Erdogan of Turkey, President Obama and NATO.

COMMENT:  I'm not sure they necessarily challenge the policies of Obama.  I'm not sure he even cares.  But he has to put on an act.

Oh, by the way, please note the name of one candidate for president who seems to have no problem with Russian activity in the Mideast.  His name is Donald Trump, and some of his foreign-policy positions are bizarre, and way to the left.  As far as I'm concerned, that disqualifies him for the Republican nomination, but apparently others disagree.

October 6, 2015       Permalink

THE OBAMAN LIE – AT 9:06 A.M. ET:   When examining the fabrications of this administration, it's hard to know where to begin.  But let's try.  Reuters, not known for its hostility to Barack Obama, is running a stunning story reporting that enforcement of our presumed arms embargo against Iran slipped considerably during the Iran nuclear talks, despite assurances to the contrary:

Addressing concerns that a landmark nuclear deal reached this year could boost Iran's military power, the Obama administration reassured critics that it would maintain and enforce its remaining tough sanctions against the country.

Yet the U.S. government has pursued far fewer violations of a long-standing arms embargo against Iran in the past year compared to recent years, according to a review of court records and interviews with two senior officials involved in sanctions enforcement.

The sharp fall in new prosecutions did not reflect fewer attempts by Iran to break the embargo, the officials said. Rather, uncertainty among prosecutors and agents on how the terms of the deal would affect cases made them reluctant to commit already scarce resources with the same vigor as in previous years, the officials said.

The more relaxed enforcement raises questions over how strictly the arms embargo and other remaining sanctions will be applied in future, since the nuclear deal still needs to be implemented and Iran will likely remain sensitive to a tough sanctions regime.

In the 2014-15 fiscal year, which ended on Sept. 30, U.S. law enforcement officials filed fresh charges just twice against those suspected of attempting to smuggle weapons and related technology from the United States to Iran, according to court records.

Eight such cases were brought in 2013-14. By comparison, around 10 to 12 such cases were brought in each of the preceding six years.

"There's been a precipitous drop-off," said one of the senior U.S. officials, who declined to be identified. "The facts are the facts – there's no other explanation."

The official added there was already a "reticence" in some agencies and U.S. federal prosecutors' offices to pursue the cases because they are so tough to build and time-consuming.

COMMENT:  Translated into English, no one in the Obama administration will have the enforcers' backs if they try to do their job.  The foreign policy of the United States has now become a policy sympathetic to Iran, and hostile to American allies, especially Israel and the Gulf states.  The last year of the Obama administration may well turn out to be the nightmare we've feared.

October 6, 2015       Permalink

OH PLEASE! – AT 8:38 A.M. ET:   There are whoppers, and there are major-league whoppers.  From the Washington Examiner: 

Attorney General Loretta Lynch condemned the anonymous release of information about the FBI probe of Hillary Clinton's private emails during a Justice Department press conference Monday.

Although Lynch was at the event to address the BP oil spill, she fielded a question about the leaks that have driven interest in the FBI's investigation.

"I think leaks are detrimental to any matter, no matter what it is, no matter who is involved," Lynch said.

"Everyone wants matters investigated the way the department does — thoroughly, efficiently," she added.

The attorney general declined to comment on the specifics of the case.

COMMENT:  Oh yes, oh yes.  There is anguish.  There is pain.   There is agony at the Justice Department over the leaks.  If only the attorney general could find out what evil doers are leaking this sensitive information! 

Well, she might start with the White House.  It's hardly a secret that the little guy from Chicago hates the idea that Hillary might succeed him.  I somehow think that he could find a way to stop that investigation if he really, really tried.  He hasn't tried.

October 6,  2015     Permalink

OCTOBER 5,  2015

SHORT TAKES ON THE DRIFTING WRECKAGE – AT 11:54 P.M. ET:

MEDIA ECSTASY – They're going nuts at the networks.  Why?  Because they see signs that Hillary is coming alive.  She made a pretty good commercial!  She came up with a "program" for gun control, which must have taken her five minutes.  She was marginally funny on Saturday Night Live.  These are the things the journalists believe will make a president.  We'll be monitoring the polls to see if the Queen actually is coming back to life.  She'll have to counter the growing perception among voters that she's untrustworthy and dishonest.  But who cares about the little things?

OBAMA TO TRAVEL – The field marshal will be in Oregon on Friday to comfort families who suffered losses in last week's Oregon school shooting.  The hypocrisy flows.  It turns out he was already schedule to be in the region to go to a fundraiser for Senator Patty Murray of Washington, and to do some politicking in California.  I guess it's okay to squeeze in some mourning families and make some agenda points.  We have yet to hear a single new or thoughtful proposal from the president on gun violence.  He seems to feel that the American people have let him down and not gone along with his brilliance on this.  We are told that he plans "executive actions" on guns.  I always thought that if you want to change gun laws, you needed Congress.  I'm so old-fashioned.

I'M SHOCKED, SHOCKED – From The Wall Street Journal, via Fox: Federal law-enforcement authorities are investigating an alleged bribery scheme involving payments to officials at the United Nations to gain support for real-estate development in Macau, people familiar with the matter said.  The arrests last month of a Macau real-estate mogul and his assistant are connected to the alleged scheme, said those familiar with the matter. Additional charges are expected to be announced as early as Tuesday against a number of other people, including current or former U.N. officials.  The investigation, led by the office of Preet Bharara, the U.S. attorney in Manhattan, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation, centers on alleged bribery by Chinese businesspeople, they said. Some of the alleged bribes flowed to U.N. officials from the Caribbean, they said. How the alleged scheme worked wasn’t immediately clear.  Obviously, this investigation is part of a great right-wing conspiracy to discredit the wonderful peacemakers at the UN.  Why, look around the world.  Don't you see peace breaking out all over?

October 5, 2015       Permalink

MONEY FLOWING TO CARLY – AT 10:21 A.M. ET:  Her campaign, while still not pulling the poll numbers of Trump or Carson, is catching fire, and dollars are flowing.  From Reuters:

NEW YORK (Reuters) - Carly Fiorina has emerged as the Republican candidate of the moment in conservative fundraising circles, drawing the notice of the billionaire Koch brothers and other wealthy donors who could instantly remake her shoestring presidential campaign.

Fiorina's show-stealing performance in a Republican presidential debate last month, and her subsequent surge in the polls, has prompted industrialists Charles and David Koch to take a “serious look” at the former Hewlett-Packard chief executive, according to three sources close to the brothers.

She has now moved to the short list of candidates the Kochs may support with their reported $1 billion war chest, the sources said. Florida Senator Marco Rubio is among those on the coveted list, the sources said.

A spokesman for the Kochs declined to comment

Other politically powerful mega donors are also lining up.

Texas oilman T. Boone Pickens hosted a packed luncheon at a posh Dallas venue for Fiorina in late September, while venture capitalist Tom Perkins is planning a fundraising gala in California in the next few months.

“My money is on her,” said Perkins, who served on HP's board during Fiorina's tenure. “I think she could be president.”

COMMENT:   I'm not endorsing anyone, but I'd really love to see a debate between Carly Fiorina and Hillary Clinton.  Carly would have her for lunch.

October 5, 2015       Permalink

THE AGE OF OBAMA – QUOTE OF THE DAY – AT 10:17 A.M. ET:  The New York Post very neatly sums up the seven-year record of Barack Obama in carrying out, or destroying, the foreign policy of the United States: 

Just three years ago, President Obama famously ridiculed GOP opponent Mitt Romney’s statement that Russia remained America’s main geopolitical foe by taunting: “The 1980s are calling to ask for their foreign policy back.”

Four years before that, Obama stood at Berlin’s Brandenburg Gate to declare that once he became president, all people would join him around a global campfire, hold hands and put an end to the world’s evils and miseries.

Well, seven years into Obama’s presidency, the promised worldwide Kumbaya is instead global chaos — caused in large measure by his willful retreat from America’s position of leadership.

Washington’s traditional allies increasingly feel abandoned, its enemies emboldened. The United States isn’t even leading from behind — it’s cowering in weakness.

And no one is taking better advantage of this than Vladimir Putin, now storming headlong into the yawning chasm of American retreat and reasserting Russia’s global influence and power — just as Mitt Romney said.

COMMENT:  Beautifully stated.  But will Americans care on election day next year?  I think they will, if the Republicans come up with the best candidate available, rather than the next guy in line. 

October 5, 2015       Permalink

WHAT A JERK – AT 9:58 A.M. ET:  Day by day we find out what an awful candidate Hillary Clinton really is.  And we also find out, as if it was ever in doubt, that the mainstream media will support her all the way.  From the Washington Examiner: 

Even though Democratic front-runner Hillary Clinton is a former first lady and a former U.S. senator, she cast herself as a political outsider on Monday because she's a woman.

"Who can be more of an outsider than a woman president?" she said on NBC's "Today Show."

Anchor Savannah Guthrie seemed to agree by saying to Clinton that "one of your merits is that you're a woman," and asked her how a female leader would run the White House differently.

"We have a very different life experience, I think it's fair to say," she said to applause.

I wonder where the applause was coming from, and how it was arranged.

"I think that, you know, a lot of my agenda about how do we support families, and how do we support working women, how do we get paid family leave, how do we do caregiving?" she added. "I was just talking to one of the people here, we're going to have a huge challenge on helping to take care of people with Alzheimer's, people who are getting older with Autism and a lot of other conditions."

"We live that in a much more real, you know, day to day way, and I will bring all of those, you know, feelings and experiences with me to the White House," she said.

COMMENT:  How pathetic.  She's sinking in the polls because of her dishonesty and ineptitude, and so out comes the gender card. 

We have the virtual collapse of a foreign policy over which she presided, but she's suddenly an outsider.  This woman has no character and no integrity.  She's a disgrace, but she may become president.

October 5, 2015       Permalink

THANKS FOR THE REMINDER – AT 9:30 A.M. ET:  Just weeks after the U.S. approved the Iran nuclear pact – without Congressional assent – Iran is back to warning that we are still Tehran's biggest target.  It's so nice to be reminded.  From the Washington Free Beacon:

A senior Iranian military leader warned this weekend that “all U.S. military bases in the Middle East are within the range of” Iran’s missiles and emphasized that the Islamic Republic will continue to break international bans on the construction of ballistic missiles.

Much of this missile work, like the details of Iran’s advanced arsenal, remains secret, according to Brigadier General Amir Ali Hajizadeh, commander of the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps Aerospace Force.

Hajizadeh dismissed the threat of military action by the United States, warning that all U.S. assets and allies are in range of Iran’s current missile arsenal, according to comments made Sunday in Tehran and recorded by Iran’s state-controlled Fars News Agency.

The threats of attack on the United States were issued as Iran unveiled new high-tech torpedoes and the formation of a joint war room along with Russia, Syria, and Iraq.

“Some of the threats by the U.S. are aimed at appeasing the Zionists, while others are for the purpose of domestic consumption (in the U.S.), but what is important is that they are aware of and acknowledge our capabilities and deterrence power,” Hajizadeh was quoted as saying.

“We do not feel any need to increase the range of our missiles and (our perceived enemy) targets are fully within the range of our missiles,” he added.

Iran will not slow down the research and construction of advanced missiles, the IRGC leader said, despite international bans on such action.

COMMENT:  What is remarkable is that statements like that have become routine, without any pushback from Field Marshal Obama or Grand Admiral Kerry. 

And note the formation of a joint "war room," with Russia, Syria and Iraq.  We've now lost Iraq, where American blood was shed, thanks to the field marshal's withdrawal of all American forces.  The Russians, emboldened by our lack of action over Ukraine, is moving into the Mideast with no concern about an American response.  There won't be any.

October 5,  2015     Permalink