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JUNE 14,  2017

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

IT'S GETTING EMBARRASSING – FROM AMERICAN MIRROR:  Hillary Clinton has mastered the art of capitalizing on other people’s achievements and popular social trends in an attempt to keep herself relevant.  On Tuesday, she was glomming on to Wonder Woman.  In a “surprise video” Wednesday in honor of Elizabeth Banks – a Clinton backer, activist and producer – that was shown at the Women in Film Crystal + Lucy Awards in Beverly Hills, Clinton spent much of her 95-second message likening herself to the woman superhero taking the box office by storm, according to the Hollywood Reporter.  Clinton thanked Women in Film for supporting women in the industry, then quickly shifted the focus to herself.  “Now I haven’t seen Wonder Woman yet, but I’m going to, in part because it’s directed by the fabulous Patty Jenkins,” Clinton said. “But something tells me that a movie about a strong, powerful woman fighting to save the world from a massive international disaster is right up my alley.”  No it ain't.

LET'S PUSH FOR THIS – FROM CBS:  MADISON, Wis. — A Taiwanese company that assembles Apple's iPhones and other electronics is considering building a plant in Wisconsin that could employ thousands of people and give Gov. Scott Walker a huge political boost as he prepares to run for re-election.  A person with direct knowledge of the negotiations who was not authorized to speak publicly confirmed to The Associated Press on Wednesday that the state is in talks with Foxconn. At least one other upper Midwest state, Michigan, is also pursuing the plant.  President Donald Trump alluded to negotiations with an unspecified company during a visit to Milwaukee on Tuesday, saying Walker might get "a very happy surprise very soon." Trump said "we were negotiating with a major, major incredible manufacturer of phones and computers and televisions."  Let's get this nailed down, Mr. President.  And let's boost Governor Walker in the process.  Making America great again.

THE SHOW WILL GO ON – FROM THE NEW YORK POST:   A modern production of “Julius Caesar” — with an actor made up as Donald Trump getting offed onstage — will continue to play in Central Park as scheduled, the theater company said.  The production — part of the annual Shakespeare in the Park series — has been ripped by the White House since it was mounted Sunday.  Donald Trump Jr. even retweeted a comment Wednesday that it may have spurred on the shooting at a practice for a congressional baseball team.  The Public Theater stressed the current production — scheduled to play until Sunday — was never meant to promote violence.  No, it's just bad taste.  That used to be enough to get a severe reprimand, but this is New York in the new century.  American Express, however, has just pulled out.

June 14,  2017     Permalink

BULLETIN, AT 11:25 A.M. ET:  Man accused of shooting at Republican congressmen at a Virginia baseball field this morning has been identified as James T. Hodgkinson of Belleville, Illinois.  He is reported to be a Bernie Sanders supporter who campaigned for Sanders last year.  Please draw no conclusions from this initial report until more details are known. 

AND THE BEAT GOES ON – AT 11:14 A.M. ET:  Not content with a new hearing every minute, the Dems in Congress are now expanding their effort to make it impossible for Trump to govern.  They're suing Trump directly.  The party of "lawfare" must be in ecstasy.  From Reuters:

More than 190 Democratic lawmakers sued President Donald Trump in federal court on Wednesday, saying he had accepted funds from foreign governments through his businesses without congressional consent in violation of the US Constitution.

The complaint said Trump had not sought congressional approval for any of the payments his hundreds of businesses had received from foreign governments since he took office in January, even though the Constitution requires him to do so.

The White House did not immediately respond to requests for comment but has said Trump's business interests do not violate the Constitution. The Trump Organization has said it will donate profits from customers representing foreign governments to the U.S. Treasury but will not require such customers to identify themselves.

At least 30 US senators and 166 representatives are plaintiffs in Wednesday's lawsuit, representing the largest number of legislators ever to sue a US president, according to two lawmakers who are among the plaintiffs.

The Constitution's "foreign emoluments" clause bars US officeholders from accepting payments and various other gifts from foreign governments without congressional approval.

"The president’s failure to tell us about these emoluments, to disclose the payments and benefits that he is receiving, mean that we cannot do our job. We cannot consent to what we don’t know," said Senator Richard Blumenthal, one of the lawmakers bringing the lawsuit, in a conference call on Tuesday.

COMMENT:  I love it when Blumenthal speaks.  The man blatantly lied about his military record, yet was sent to the Senate anyway from oh-so-chic Connecticut.  He has no shame.

Please wake me up when Congressional Democrats actually do something for the country.  I expect to be asleep a long time.

June 14, 2017       Permalink

A JOKE – AT 10:36 A.M. ET:  The hearings into collusion between Trump operatives and the Russkies are turning into a joke.  They're like a poorly plotted movie, with nothing actually happening.  How long must we endure this?  From NRO:   

After two days and almost six hours of high-stakes public testimony, I’m struck by the total lack of any compelling claims supporting the “big” collusion narrative, that Russia conspired with Trump or Trump officials to “hack” election. While we certainly aren’t privy to all the relevant information or all the relevant testimony, nothing that James Comey said last week or that Jeff Sessions said yesterday (much less any of the questions directed his way) contained so much as a meaningful hint that the Committee was on the verge of uncovering the political scandal of the century. Rather, the focus keeps shifting to much narrower questions regarding Trump’s decision to fire James Comey — questions that are important but far less historically consequential than any claim that a president or his attorney general are traitors to their country. 

Here’s where we stand:

1. Not only is there no evidence that Trump personally colluded with Russians or ordered anyone to collude with Russians, there’s now evidence that he hasn’t been under personal investigation by the FBI.

2. There is absolutely zero available evidence that Jeff Sessions colluded with the Russians.

3. Similarly, there is so far no evidence that even Trump’s more unsavory aides – men like Paul Manafort and Michael Flynn — colluded to influence the election

4. To the extent that there is evidence of wrongdoing connected with a foreign power, it deals not with the election itself but rather with Flynn’s alleged failures to disclose foreign payments and contacts. 

COMMENT:  The Democratic Party is itself a mess, split between the old reds of the Sanders brigades and moderate liberals, and has no real program.  So it satisfies itself with investigations and lawsuits.  It is really not a functioning political party.

If all this were not fueled by the anti-Trump press, it would go away rather quickly.

June 14, 2017       Permalink

THE SHOOTING – AT 9:51 A.M. ET:  There has been a shooting at a baseball practice attended by Republican members of Congress.  The practice was for an annual baseball game for charity.  From Fox:

House Majority Whip Steve Scalise and a congressional aide were shot by a rifle-wielding gunman who sprayed a hail of bullets at a GOP baseball practice in Virginia Wednesday morning, before U.S. Capitol Police took the gunman down.

Scalise was "badly injured," according to a tweet from President Trump, but expected to recover. A spokesperson from Scalise said he was "stable" and undergoing surgery after being shot in the hip. Five people were "transported medically" from the scene, Alexandria Police Chief Michael Brown said. It appeared that included Scalise, a congressional aide, the gunman and two law enforcement officers -- one of whom was hit by fragments.

Sen. Rand Paul, R-Ky., told Fox News: "We were like sitting ducks."

"Without the Capitol Hill police it would have been a massacre," Paul said, describing the scene as "sort of a killing field."

COMMENT:  Capitol Hill Police were present because Scalise, as a member of the Republican leadership, has a security detail.  Late reports say that he will make a complete recovery. 

We have no late word on the others who were hit.  We also have no word yet on the gunman or his condition.  Some reports say he has died, but there is no confirmation.

Some other reports say the shooter was out to kill only Republicans, but that is unconfirmed.

June 14,  2017     Permalink

JUNE 13,  2017

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

THE P.C. MADNESS CONTINUES – FROM THE WASHINGTON FREE BEACON:  A group of Native American and indigenous activists are lobbying the United Nations to outlaw "cultural appropriation" across the globe.  Critics of "cultural appropriation" believe that people should not adopt ideas, art, food, clothing, or other elements of cultures they do not belong to. Most recently, pop star Katy Perry apologized for appropriating African-American culture by wearing cornrows and eating watermelon in a music video.  A specialized committee within the U.N.'s World Intellectual Property Organization has been considering several draft documents on indigenous appropriation for the past two decades, CBC News reported Tuesday. If passed, international intellectual property regulations would expand to protect "indigenous designs, dances, words, and traditional medicines." This is madness.  Don't we already have patent and copyright laws that protect against improper use?  Who determines when "cultural appropriation" occurs?  This looks like a major-league shakedown?

HOW MUCH SHOCK CAN WE TAKE? – FROM THE DAILY MAIL:   Sasha Obama turned sixteen on Saturday, a day before Twitter was shocked to discover (again) that the former First Daughter's real first name isn't Sasha, but Natasha.  'Today is the one year anniversary of me finding out Sasha Obama's actual first name is Natasha,' wrote Refinery29 writer Ashley C. Ford on Twitter on Sunday, unleashing a firestorm of stunned tweets from people who were just hearing the news for the first time.   'Sasha Obama's real first name is Natasha??' replied an astonished Willmarie Samarez. 'We've been living a lie!'   I'm afraid it's true.  The nation has been deceived.  I don't know how we explain this to our children.

NO, KAMMY, YOU WON'T BE PRESIDENT – FROM DAILY CALLER:   Democratic California Sen. Kamala Harris was silenced during the testimony of Attorney General Jeff Sessions when she refused to let him fully answer her questions.  The California senator tried to lock Sessions in a rapid fire question-and-answer style that didn’t allow Sessions to give full answers to her line of questioning.  “Did you consult [Department of Justice policy] before you came before this committee knowing we would ask you questions about it?” Harris asked of Sessions’ assertion that he wouldn’t discuss private conversations with the president.  Sessions tried to answer before Harris cut him off, asking, “Did you ask that it would be shown to you?”  Sessions was clearly becoming frustrated with her inability to let him finish his thoughts, but Harris kept going.  “Did you not ask your staff to show you the policy that would be the basis for your refusing to answer the majority of questions that have been asked of you?”  “Chairman, the witness should be allowed to answer the question,” one senator can be heard in the background.  Senate Intelligence Committee Chairman Richard Burr took the reins, saying, “Senators will allow the chair to control the hearing. Senator Harris, let him answer.”   She's considered a potential Dem presidential candidate for 2020.   But in the last few weeks she's been shut down twice at Senate committee meetings and caught dropping the F-word in public comments.  Not ready for prime time, or the White House.

June 13, 2017       Permalink

JUSTICE – AT 9:21 A.M. ET:  Sexual violence against women should be taken very seriously, and usually is.  Sadly, though, some have misused the issue for personal advancement, publicity, or journalistic fame.  When that happens, the justice system must be put to work to right the wrong or remove the false charge.  A falsely accused fraternity at the University of Virginia has now received at least some justice.  From Daily Caller: 

Rolling Stone has settled a lawsuit with the University of Virginia fraternity whose members were falsely accused of raping a female student in a Nov. 2014 article, The Daily Caller has learned.

A source involved at the national level with the fraternity, Phi Kappa Psi, tells TheDC that Rolling Stone will pay $1.65 million to settle the defamation suit.

The magazine’s decision follows a settlement in April with Nicole Eramo, a University of Virginia associate dean who was also smeared in the article, which was written by Sabrina Rubin Erdely.

In the piece, “A Rape on Campus,” Erdely relayed the story of Jackie Coakley, a Virginia woman who claimed she was brutally raped by a group of Phi Kappa Psi fraternity members during a party in Sept. 2012.

Erdely portrayed Eramo as dismissive of Coakley’s case. But it was later revealed that Coakley not only fabricated the attack by the fraternity members but that Eramo took her allegations seriously at the time she made them.

A jury in Virginia awarded Eramo $3 million in damages — $2 million from Erdely and $1 million from Rolling Stone.

COMMENT:  There are few things quite as ugly as a false charge.  The Ninth Commandment reads,
"You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor."  How many young people know that today?

June 13, 2017       Permalink

AND KOREA – AT 9:05 A.M. ET:  While we entertain ourselves with the investigative antics of Washington, our capable secretary of defense is, like ISIS in the post below, issuing a warning.  I'd take this one seriously as well.  From Reuters: 

U.S. Defense Secretary Jim Mattis said on Monday that North Korea's advancing missile and nuclear programs were the "most urgent" threat to national security and that its means to deliver them had increased in speed and scope.

"The regime’s nuclear weapons program is a clear and present danger to all, and the regime’s provocative actions, manifestly illegal under international law, have not abated despite United Nations’ censure and sanctions," Mattis said in a written statement to the House Armed Services Committee.

"The most urgent and dangerous threat to peace and security is North Korea," the statement added. "North Korea's continued pursuit of nuclear weapons and the means to deliver them has increased in pace and scope."

And...

The U.S. focus on North Korea has been sharpened by dozens of North Korean missile launches and two nuclear bomb tests since the beginning of last year and by Pyongyang's vow to develop a nuclear-tipped intercontinental ballistic missile capable of hitting the U.S. mainland.

Mattis, speaking before the panel, warned of the potential losses in the case of conflict with North Korea.

"It would be a war like nothing we have seen since 1953 and we would have to deal with it with whatever level of force was necessary ... It would be a very, very serious war," Mattis said.

COMMENT:  I'm glad Mattis stressed how horrible a new Korean War would be – classic ground fighting with armor and infantry units, and large casualties.  This is critically important stuff, and look what Washington, and the anti-Trump news media, are focused on these days.

June 13, 2017       Permalink

TAKE IT SERIOUSLY – AT 8:47 A.M. ET:  ISIS is speaking to us again, and we'd be well advised to hear the words.  From AP: 

BEIRUT (AP) -- The Islamic State group is calling on supporters to carry out attacks in the United States and Europe during the Muslim holy month of Ramadan that began two weeks ago.

In an audiotape circulated online Monday, spokesman Abu al-Hassan al-Muhajer praised last week's attacks in Iran's capital, saying the country is "weaker than a spider's web" and calling for more assaults.

Al-Muhajer also called for attacks in Russia and Australia, saying "heaven is reached under the shadow of swords."

IS has called for attacks during Ramadan in the past. This year it has claimed responsibility for attacks in Britain, Egypt, Iran and the Philippines that killed dozens of people and wounded hundreds.

COMMENT:  The fact is, the pace of small terrorist attacks has been relentless.  The press likes to dismiss them as the work of "lone wolves," but we've noted here before that there's no such thing as a lone wolf.  People do not radicalize themselves.  They are radicalized by some outside group or individual, even if the process occurs through the internet.

We can expect more attacks.  This enemy keeps its word.

June 13,  2017     Permalink