Please note that you can leave a comment on any of our posts at our Facebook page.  Subscribers can also comment at length at our Angel's Corner Forum.

Our Angel's Corner archive is here.

FEBRUARY 11,  2017

SHORT TAKES ON THE DRIFTING WRECKAGE – AT 11:57 P.M. ET: 

TRUMP IN BRITAIN – FROM THE DAILY MAIL:   Donald Trump will address a crowd at a stadium when he comes to Britain later this year, it was reported last night.  Proceeds from tickets for the rally would go to UK war veterans, according to a plan said to be under discussion by a source close to the new US President.  The Brexit heartland of the Midlands is one contender to host the rock star-style event, while London and Cardiff have also been mentioned as possible locations. Terrific idea.  Trump has been barred from speaking to Parliament by a petty little officeholder who controls these things.  Speaking directly to the British people in a public forum is a great alternative, and very Trump. 

THE UNLOVED ONE – FROM THE NEW YORK POST:  Don’t speak ill of the dead — unless you’re this Texas family.  After Leslie Ray Charping died at age 75, his family decided to run a brutally honest obituary eulogizing the “evil” late relative.  The family wrote that Charping “leaves behind two relieved children,” in addition to “countless other victims including an ex wife, relatives, friends, neighbors, doctors, nurses and random strangers.”  His death came at an age that was “29 years longer than expected and much longer than he deserved,” according to the obituary on the Carnes Funeral Home site.  “At a young age, Leslie quickly became a model example of bad parenting combined with mental illness and a complete commitment to drinking, drugs, womanizing and being generally offensive,” the obituary read.  I just had to include this.  I wish some Washington obituaries were as honest. 

THE FACTS COME OUT – FROM THE WASHINGTON EXAMINER:    Since 9/11, 72 individuals from the seven mostly Muslim countries covered by President Trump's "extreme vetting" executive order have been convicted of terrorism, bolstering the administration's immigration ban.  According to a report out Saturday, at least 17 claimed to be refugees from those nations, three came in as "students," and 25 eventually became U.S. citizens.  The Center for Immigration Studies calculated the numbers of convicted terrorists from the Trump Seven: — Somalia: 20; — Yemen: 19; — Iraq: 19; — Syria: 7; — Iran: 4; — Libya: 2.  Nice to know that.  Changes everything, doesn't it?  Of course, the hard left will argue that those terrorists were wrongly convicted, and simply victims of oppression.  It's kind of the party line.

February 11, 2017       Permalink

AND IN THE REAL WORLD – AT 1:22 P.M. ET:  The threats against the United States keep building.   We've been asleep for eight years, but there are signs we are awakening to the threats out there, especially from Iran and North Korea.  From McClatchy:   

After listening to experts describe the threat posed by North Korea and its nuclear arsenal, U.S. Rep. Brad Sherman, a California Democrat, paused amid a Capitol Hill hearing earlier this week and made a suggestion.

“We ought to have civil defense in this country,” said Sherman during a hearing of the House Foreign Affairs Committee. “Some of us are old enough to remember when we had civil defense and we were under our desks.”

The congressman wasn’t calling for an immediate return to the “duck and cover” days of the Cold War. But his statement reflects heightened alarm among members of Congress – especially those from the West Coast – over North Korea’s continuing nuclear tests and advances in missile technology.

In the last year alone, North Korea has conducted 20 missile tests and two nuclear tests. That’s a marked annual increase from the 42 missile tests and two nuclear tests of the previous seven years, according to Victor Cha, a Korea specialist with the Center for Strategic and International Studies in Washington.

Cha and other experts say it is highly likely that North Korea’s Kim Jong Un will launch another intercontinental ballistic missile this year, in part to gauge the response from President Donald Trump. While some of North Korea’s missile tests have ended in failure, the regime seems to be learning from each launch to improve its capability.

Many arms control specialists believe that, by 2020, North Korea could have the capacity to launch a miniaturized nuclear device on an ICBM, with the range to strike at least the West Coast. It might even have that capability sooner.

“The difficulty here is the lack of visibility into North Korea’s nuclear program. It’s a black hole,” said Anthony Ruggiero, a Korea researcher who previously worked in the Treasury Department, the U.S. agency tasked with enforcing sanctions on Pyongyang.

COMMENT:  The North Korean program raises a powerful argument for us to increase our ABM – anti-ballistic-missile systems.  We have some West Coast systems, but they're of uncertain reliability.  We need systems both on shore and at sea...and we hope the attorney general of the state of Washington doesn't go to court to try to prevent them from being installed. 

People will argue that, logically, North Korea would never launch an attack on the United States for fear of nuclear retaliation.  However, that assumes rational action on the part of the North.  I would never assume that on the part of any enemy nation.  Pearl Harbor was essentially irrational, but it happened.  So did the irrational Nazi invasion of the Soviet Union. 

February 11, 2017       Permalink

LET'S GET GOING, BOYS – AT 12:31 P.M. ET:  I cannot believe it.   We have the greatest opportunity in the modern history of the United States for Republicans to make their mark in Washington – controlling the White House, the Senate, and the House...and they're complaining.  Oh the burden.  Oh the work.  This is too much for us!  Send them a message.  From The Hill:   

President Trump and GOP leaders on Capitol Hill have promised voters that 2017 will bring the repeal and replacement of ObamaCare, a long-awaited overhaul of the tax code and funding for a “great wall” along the U.S.-Mexico border.

Now, some in the party are wondering whether Republicans have bitten off more than they can chew.

Conservative naysayers inside and outside the Capitol argue that it’s not just about the GOP-controlled Congress’s slow start in carrying out Trump’s agenda.

There’s serious concern that Trump and GOP leadership have simply identified too many big-ticket, politically thorny items to tackle in year one. They also see tough times ahead in prioritizing what to do.

“It’s not just the fact that there are a lot of items but the enormity of those items,” said GOP Rep. Daniel Webster, who learned how to manage a legislative calendar while serving as Speaker of the Florida state House.

Another Republican lawmaker was even more blunt: “There’s no way we can do all these issues.”

The GOP’s 2017 calendar is already riddled with must-pass deadlines: Congress needs to fund the government before money runs out on April 28; raise the debt ceiling by this summer; and pass reauthorization of the Federal Aviation Administration by September, among other statutory deadlines.

Republicans also have begun dismantling a plethora of Obama-era regulations focused on the environment and other issues.

On top of that, Republicans hope to pass all 12 fiscal year 2018 appropriation bills before Oct. 1 — something that hasn’t been done in two decades.

Trump has talked of a $1 trillion infrastructure package — though conservatives on Capitol Hill have had heartburn over that proposal for some time.

COMMENT:  Okay, okay, it's a lot of work and someone else is using the printer.  But you don't let an  opportunity like this go by.  Work nights.  Work weekends.  Turn on the Macbook Pro.  If Republicans can produce real results this year, imagine what the 2018 mid-term elections will look like. 

Isn't it fun to watch the liberals go nuts?  Give us more, give us more!  Republicans, get to work.  Don't disappoint us.  If you blow this chance you may see a lot of primary challenges in 2018.  You're on the line.

February 11, 2017       Permalink

THE DEBATE CONTINUES – AT 10:45 A.M. ET:  There is probably no more contentious issue in America than abortion.  The debate between pro-choice and pro-life continues today, and is raging, with some clear gains by the pro-life side in recent years.

Some of the debate centers on the prominence of Planned Parenthood, the nation's largest provider of abortions.  From Reuters: 

NEW YORK (Reuters) - Anti-abortion groups have called demonstrations at more than 200 Planned Parenthood locations throughout the United States on Saturday to urge Congress and President Donald Trump to strip the women's health provider of federal funding.

Planned Parenthood supporters in turn have organized 150 counter-demonstrations outside politicians' offices and government buildings.

Anti-abortion activists have said they were energized by the election of Republican Trump, who selected their long-time ally Mike Pence as vice president and nominated conservative jurist Neil Gorsuch to the U.S. Supreme Court.

On Jan. 27, tens of thousands converged on Washington for the 44th March for Life, where Pence became the most senior government official to speak in person at the annual anti-abortion rally, organizers said.

"We have the wind in our sails. The election was a real benchmark. Pro-life voters were really a key constituency and the Trump administration has taken note," said Eric Scheidler, executive director of Pro-Life Action League, one of the main backers of Saturday's demonstrations.

In Washington, demonstrators will meet at the Supreme Court and march to a Planned Parenthood location. Other demonstrations have been called in 45 states in cities large and small.

COMMENT:  I can see no definitive resolution of these issues.  The subject is too contentious, and both sides have at times shown intolerance.  Both sides also have powerful constituencies.  It may be an issue that fades in time as fewer and fewer women have abortions or have need for them.  That may be the best solution, if not a perfect one.  Even if the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade, that would simply send the issue of "abortion rights" back to the states, where many states would continue them, and other states would restrict them.

February 11,  2017     Permalink

FEBRUARY 10,  2017

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

THERE'S NO BUSINESS LIKE – FROM THE DAILY MAIL:   The Obamas appear to be modeling their post-White House life after the Clintons, by joining the speaking circuit.   On Friday, it was reported that the former president and first lady had signed to Harry Walker Agency, the same agency that represents Bill Clinton. No official speaking events have been announced yet.   The couple have also hired attorneys Robert Barnett and Deneen Howell to help with with book deals. Barnett previously helped the Clintons, George W. Bush and wife Laura, Sarah Palin and Ted Kennedy get published.   Mr Obama has already written two books, but this will be the first time that his wife has taken pen to paper. The former first lady is also scheduled to appear as a guest judge on the next season of Masterchef Junior, apparently carrying on her cause to teach children about nutrition.   Before leaving office, Obama said he wasn't going into retirement - but planned to stay active in public life. The announcements comes just days after the Obamas returned from a two-week vacation to Palm Springs and the Caribbean.  In typically Biden fashion, Obama's VP took no break and got straight to work on his new career. On Friday, Creative Artists Agency announced that they have signed Biden and his wife Jill as their newest clients.  When Harry Truman left the White House he returned home to Missouri, put his suitcases in the attic, and retired.  No big money.  No superlawyers representing his books, no Hollywood.  He never sold his presidency to anyone.

PROSECUTE – FROM THE WASHINGTON EXAMINER:   The D.C. police are investigating a possible assault against Education Secretary Betsy DeVos when she was blocked from entering a local middle school Friday morning.  The police department tweeted one man had been arrested for assaulting a police officer at the protest at Jefferson Middle School Academy.  DeVos first tried to enter the building when protesters physically blocked the stairwell. DeVos and her staff turned away and were followed by a chanting protester who ripped her for her political donations to Republicans.  The protester chanted "Shame!" at DeVos as she got into her vehicle.  This came close to violence, and yet we fail to hear any condemnations from leading Democrats.  The Democratic Party is increasingly under the thumb of the far left. 

DEEP REGRETS – FROM THE WASHINGTON TIMES:  Bill Maher would “happily” hand over the $1 million he donated to then-President Barack Obama in 2012 to Mitt Romney if it would alter history.
HBO’s “Real Time” host sat down with CNN’s Van Jones for an interview set to air Friday night and discussed the law of unintended consequences now that President Trump is the 45th U.S. commander in chief. The comedian lamented his Priorities USA Action donation aimed at stopping Mr. Romney’s presidential ambitions.  “Oh, the Bush years. I wish,” Mr. Mahertold the CNN host. “You know, I gave Obama a million dollars. You know that, right? His PAC. I would happily give that million dollars right now to Mitt Romney if he would take over the country. I gave it to prevent Mitt Romney president — I would [be] begging Mitt Romney to be president”  Liberals like Maher, who has some sense, are clearly lost, confused, and unwanted.  They're finally realizing that the Democratic Party isn't really liberal, just leftist and pathetic.  When they start yearning for George W. Bush you realize what has become of the party of Roosevelt, Truman, and Kennedy.

February 10,  2017     Permalink

A GOOD, OPTIMISTIC VIEW – AT 11:49 A.M. ET:  Is Trump beating the Democrats?  From IBD: 

Leaders in the Democratic Party probably should have thought twice before deciding to mount a scorched-earth campaign against President Trump. So far, they've failed to stop any of Trump's picks, or gain public support for their cause. They have, however, succeeded in making themselves look unhinged.

As we write this, not a single Trump Cabinet pick has withdrawn or failed to secure confirmation, which puts him well ahead of President Obama, who was forced to withdraw several of his initial appointments due to scandals. That included Tom Daschle, Obama's pick for Health and Human Services, who'd failed to pay taxes, and his Commerce pick, Bill Richardson, who was being investigated for allegedly doling out government contracts in exchange for campaign contributions while governor of New Mexico.

The best Democrats have been able to accomplish was to force Vice President Pence to cast the tiebreaking vote to confirm Education Secretary Betsy DeVos.

They've also failed to convince a majority — or even a plurality — of the public to oppose any of Trump's executive orders, according to a Morning Consult/Politico poll, which asked about 11 of his most controversial ones.

In fact, the orders Democrats invested the most time and energy in attacking get the strongest public support.

Fully 55% approve of Trump's executive order putting a temporary hold on visas and refugees from terror-prone countries. Only 38% disapprove it. (The IBD/TIPP poll found that 51% support Trump's order on refugees.) The same share approves of Trump's order to revoke funding for sanctuary cities. A majority (54%) also back Trump's call to freeze all federal regulations.

This is a stunning failure on the part of Democrats to sway public opinion, despite having the full support of sign-wielding activists, several corporate executives, most celebrities and the entire mainstream press.

As for the press, their unrelenting campaign against Trump — and their determination to label just about everything he says as a lie — has backfired as well. An Emerson College poll found that the public views the Trump administration as more truthful than the news media, with 48% saying Trump is truthful, compared with only 39% who say the media are being truthful.

COMMENT:  Read the whole thing, and smile.

February 10, 2017       Permalink

ASSAD ADMITS THE OBVIOUS – AT 10:56 A.M. ET:   Yes, Virginia, there are terrorists among the refugees.  From Michael Isikoff at Yahoo News: 

Weighing in on one of the most contentious issues in American politics — the danger posed to host countries by the 4.8 million people who have fled from Syria’s civil war — Syrian President Bashar Assad told Yahoo News that some of the refugees are “definitely” terrorists.

In an exclusive interview with Yahoo News at a presidential office in Damascus, Assad said President Trump’s freeze on admitting refugees from his country — part of an executive order that has drawn widespread protests and is being challenged in federal court — “is an American issue” on which he would not take sides. But asked if some of those who fled are “aligned with terrorists,” Assad quickly replied, “Definitely.”

“You can find it on the Net,” Assad went on: “Those terrorists in Syria, holding the machine gun or killing people, they [appear as] peaceful refugees in Europe or in the West.” He said he couldn’t estimate how many there might be, but he added that “you don’t need a significant number to commit atrocities.” He noted that the 9/11 attacks were pulled off by fewer than 20 terrorists “out of maybe millions of immigrants in the United States. So it’s not about the number, it’s about the quality, it’s about the intentions.”

COMMENT:  I hate to give a cruel dictator any credit, but Assad speaks with common sense.  Of course there are terrorists in the refugee stream.  There are also a disturbing number of men of fighting age, rare for a refugee stream. 

I'm afraid we'll have to learn the hard way.  And, when the tragedy occurs, the mainstream media will blame Trump.

February 10, 2017       Permalink

NOTHING TO SEE, NOTHING TO SEE – AT 10:14 A.M. ET:  In the midst of all our talk about refugee streams, terrorism, and threats, the world moves on, and informs us.  From AP:

PARIS — Anti-terrorism forces arrested four people Friday in southern France, including a 16-year-old girl, and uncovered a makeshift laboratory with the explosive TATP and other ingredients for fabricating a bomb. France’s top security official said the raid thwarted an “imminent attack.”

A police official said the teen had pledged loyalty to the Islamic State group in a recent video.

The prosecutor’s office said around 70 grams (2.5 ounces) of TATP were seized in the Montpellier-area home of a 20-year-old man, along with a liter each of acetone, oxygenated water and sulfuric acid. TATP, which can be made from readily available materials, was used in the deadly November 2015 attacks in Paris and the March 2016 attack in Brussels carried out by Islamic State extremists.

Two other men were arrested, a 33-year-old and a 26-year-old, along with the teenage girl, according to the prosecutor’s office, which handles terrorism investigations in France.

The police official, speaking on condition of anonymity to discuss the investigation, said one of the suspects was believed to be planning a suicide attack but that the investigation had not yet uncovered a specific target.

He said one person in the group had tried to reach Syria in 2015 and was known to intelligence services. The group — notably the girl — attracted new attention with their social media postings, he said.

Interior Minister Bruno Le Roux said the arrests in three locations in the Montpellier area “thwarted an imminent attack on French soil.

COMMENT:  The French were lucky this time.  They weren't so lucky last year.  President Trump keeps warning of the increasing threat of terror, and he gets ignored, or even gets lectures on his "dark" view of the world.  Hint to liberals:  There is darkness in the world.

February 10,  2017     Permalink