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SEPTEMBER 11,  2016

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

HILLARY – It's all Hillary all the time now.  The medical setback will play out this week.  It confirms that her health (and Trump's) is a legitimate item of concern.  I've noticed, in all the news coverage, a growing skepticism that we're being told everything.  I've also noticed questions about the legalities that would be involved if Hillary had to be replaced on the Democratic ticket.  I suspect that within 24 hours we'll see the whitewashing begin at The New York Times, with rosy predictions of an early recovery.  But here's the question:  If she really does have pneumonia, at her age, and even if she recovers somewhat with relative speed, how can she then bounce right back to a full-time campaign?  Running for president is grueling.  It's sometimes called the hardest political job in the world.  If Hillary cannot run a full-time campaign, her reduced schedule will simply call attention to her medical state.  Would that cost her the election?  Maybe not, especially if Trump stumbles.  But even if she wins, she'd be considered hobbled, and temporary.

CLINTON CANCELS COAST TRIP – FROM THE HILL:  She was supposed to campaign in San Francisco and Los Angeles to start this week, and tape an appearance for the “Ellen” show.  Clinton has been ill with pneumonia, her doctor revealed in a Sunday evening statement.  Dr. Lisa R. Bardack released a statement via the campaign revealing the diagnosis on Sunday evening, hours after the Democratic presidential nominee was seen stumbling on video after exiting a 9/11 memorial event early.  Bardack said Clinton had an examination at her home in Chappaqua after the incident, which was a result of dehydration and overheating.  She said the candidate is "re-hydrated and recovering nicely."  The statement also said that Clinton's regular coughing fits have been the result of an allergy.  Oh, really?  Then why isn't she under the care of an allergist?  Allergies can be treated.  It's all very curious.

TRUMP'S ROLE – Probably acting on good advice, Trump has been quiet about Hillary Clinton's latest health crisis.  That's good form and good politics.  There's nothing for him to say except to wish her well.  However, the Trump campaign has some very critical decisions to make.  The first debate is two weeks away and, presumably, Clinton will be well enough to be there.  But you may be sure that she'll not only play the gender card, she'll also play the illness card. "I'm well enough to run, well enough to be president, but how can you ask tough questions of a woman who's just had pneumonia?"  That will be the psychology, and the Trumpers will have to figure out a way to defeat her in debate while not seeming to trample on a woman in a weakened state.  Trump is a rough guy.  It won't be easy for him to strike a balance.

September 11,  2016     Permalink

OBAMA'S CYNICISM ON FULL DISPLAY – AT 12:50 P.M. ET:  President Obama spoke today at the Pentagon.  Does anyone care?  From AP:

President Barack Obama on Sunday invoked Scripture and praised the resilience and diversity of Americans while attending a Pentagon ceremony honoring the 3,000 lives lost 15 years ago in the nation’s worst terror attack.

In what was Obama’s last 9/11 memorial service as the nation’s president, he urged Americans not to let its enemies divide them. US diversity — “our patchwork heritage” — is not a weakness, he said.

“It is still and always will be one of our greatest strengths,” he said. The nation must “stay true to ourselves, stay true to what’s best in us — that we do not let others divide us.”

Unbelievable.  He is the most divisive president I've seen in my time, a man who has set group against group, civilian against policeman.  Nobody calls him a unifier.

Speaking on a warm, sunny morning at the Defense Department’s headquarters, Obama said extremist groups such as the Islamic State group and al-Qaeda know they can never defeat America so they focus on trying to instill fear.

“As Americans we do not give into fear,” he said.

COMMENT:  Such tough talk, such weak policies. 

September 11, 2016       Permalink 

AL QAEDA SPEAKS – AT 11:51 A.M. ET:  On this 15th anniversary of the 9-11 attacks, we hear from Al Qaeda, which launched them.  The message is familiar, and threatening.  From foreigndesknews.com: 

Days before the 15th anniversary of the Sept. 11 attacks, terror group Al Qaeda has released a video referring to the day as a “slap” to the U.S. and calling on jihadis to carry out more attacks on U.S. soil.

Al Qaeda’s media wing Al Sahab released the video online featuring the group’s current leader Ayman Al Zawahiri in a 20-minute address to Al Qaeda loyalists along with archived footage of the group’s former leader Osama Bin Laden.

"As long as your crimes continue, the events of 9/11 will be repeated thousands of times, by the will of Allah. And we will follow you – if you don't cease your aggression [against us] – until the Day of Judgment..., " he says.

Referring to the events of 9/11 as the “blessed raids,” Zawahiri boasts at both the economic and human toll the attacks had on the U.S. which are still felt by Americans today.

The fourth hijacked plane, United Flight 93, he reminds viewers, was headed towards "the biggest criminals in the White House or the Congress."

The video also includes an appeal to African American non-Muslims, inviting them to convert to Islam to seek salvation with footage from a sermon from late African-American leader Malcolm X.

COMMENT:  There will be more attacks.  The immediate threat is probably greater in Europe, where French leaders, and others, are warning about coming attacks, and acknowledging the number of potential terrorists already in their countries.  The prime minister of France says there are 15,000 would-be jihadists on French police radar.  In this country there are FBI investigations of potential murderers in all 50 states.

Field Marshal Obama really did the job.

September 11, 2016       Permalink

HILLARY REPORTED ILL, LEAVES 9-11 EVENT EARLY – AT 11:18 A.M. ET:  From Fox:

Hillary Clinton had a “medical episode” that required her to leave a 9/11 commemoration ceremony early on Sunday, a law enforcement source who witnessed the event told Fox News.

The Democratic presidential nominee appeared to faint on her way into her van and had to be helped by her security, the source said. She was “clearly having some type of medical episode.”

"Secretary Clinton attended the September 11th Commemoration Ceremony for just an hour and thirty minutes this morning to pay her respects and greet some of the families of the fallen," Clinton spokesperson Nick Merrill said in a statement. "During the ceremony, she felt overheated so departed to go to her daughter's apartment, and is feeling much better."

But a witness told Fox News that Clinton stumbled off the curb, her "knees buckled" and she lost a shoe as she was helped into a van during her "unexpected early departure."

A separate law enforcement source told Fox News that Clinton left the event because she wasn't feeling well.

COMMENT:  Temperature at the time was about 80 degrees, not exactly overheat weather.  What is going on here?

We don't report a story like this with any pleasure.  We want all presidential candidates to be healthy and ready for the job.  But there's been so much discussion about Hillary's medical state that it really is time for both major candidates to agree to full medical examination conducted by a neutral team of doctors.  It should be standard practice.

September 11,  2016     Permalink

SEPTEMBER 10,  2016

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

THERE'S NO BUSINESS LIKE POLITICS BUSINESS – FROM HEAT STREET:   College Progressives at Penn State University were not happy with the steep entry price to a “Conversation with Chelsea” event featuring former First Daughter Chelsea Clinton, the least successful member of the Clinton political dynasty.  The event, which took place Wednesday in State College, Pa., charged $500 just to get in the door, and $1,000 for a photo with Chelsea. For $2,700, attendees would be granted access to a special reception with the guest of honor.  College Progressives at Penn State really wanted to be a part of the so-called “conversation,” but quite rightly noted that $500 was a hefty price that would exclude many college students from attending.  I'm sure the Clintons would call that a generous discount.

OBAMA TRASHES AMERICA, AGAIN – FROM GRABIEN NEWS:   What is it about traveling abroad that seems to encourage President Obama to unload all manner of grievances on the United States? For whatever reason, traveling abroad appears to help crystallize everything wrong he sees in America. During his recent trip to Cuba and Argentina, for example, we counted 18 separate times he talked down his employer, the United States of America.   His just-concluded trip to Asia was no different.   Here are 18 separate attacks he unloaded while in China and Laos:  There are still too many poor children in the United States  Too many children in America are not getting enough to eat  Despite America's wealth, we’re not providing sufficient educational resources in poor communities  America lacks the “political will” to help poor inner cities that have suffered discrimination.  Americans are “lazy” in thinking we don’t need to learn about foreign nations.  Colin Kapernack is justified protesting the National Anthem, as the NFL star is raising “real, legitimate issues” about things America needs to be talked about.   America suffers from racism, conflicts between ethnic groups, and discrimination against immigrants.  Criticisms of America being imperfect and having problems with racism discrimination are accurate.  America still has “situations where women are not treated equally.”  America “didn't think through” our policy in Vietnam War, as dropping cluster bombs proved counterproductive to "winning hearts and minds."  America’s treatment of Native Americans was “tragic.”  America “struggled to stay true” to our founding ideal that all men are created equal.  When the environment is destroyed in America, it’s because the private sector is being “lazy."
The United States is still to this day learning how to develop industry without destroying the environment.
Due to industrialization, America “used to have terrible pollution … everywhere.”  America’s role in the Vietnam war led to mass displacement of people from their homes.  America dropped more bombs on Laos than on Germany and Japan during World War II … more than 2 million bombs … “the bombs fell like rain.” More bombs, he said on several occasions, were dropped on Laos per capita than anywhere else in the world.  We bombed the “simple homes” of civilians in Laos. “Villages and entire allies were obliterated.” The ancient Plain of Jars “was devastated.” Countless civilians were killed.   We have four more months of this guy.

THE POWER OF CUSTOMERS, AND JUDGMENT –  FROM THE NEW YORK POST:   SAN ANTONIO — The owner of a Texas mattress store has closed his store after apologizing for what he called a “tasteless” advertisement promoting a 9/11 anniversary sale.  The online ad for Miracle Mattress in San Antonio featured a woman screaming as two towers of mattresses topple.  In a statement posted to the store’s social media Friday, owner Mike Bonanno said the store “will be closed indefinitely.” He said the company also “will be silent through the 9/11 anniversary to avoid any further distractions from a day of recognition and remembrance for the victims and their families.”  He repeated his Thursday apology, saying the online ad was produced without his knowledge by employees in San Antonio.  Bonanno says he will announce next week “accountability actions” taken with the employees responsible for the ad.  A bad situation thoughtfully handled by the owner.  But, ultimately, he is responsible and must take responsibility.

September 10, 2016       Permalink

TRUMP DEMANDS APOLOGY – AT 12:32 P.M. ET:   And appropriately so.  After Hillary Clinton's speech in which she insulted and demeaned Trump supporters, the Trump campaign is demanding that she retract.  From The Politico: 

Donald Trump’s campaign is demanding an apology for comments Hillary Clinton made at a fundraising event Friday in New York City, where she said half of his supporters belonged in a “basket of deplorables” — “the racist, sexist, homophobic, xenophobic, Islamaphobic, you name it.“

The Republican nominee tweeted Saturday morning: "Wow, Hillary Clinton was SO INSULTING to my supporters, millions of amazing, hard working people. I think it will cost her at the Polls!"

“Come to an event; talk to real people who aren't donors,” Trump campaign manager Kellyanne Conway wrote in a Twitter exchange with Clinton spokesman Nick Merrill earlier Saturday morning. “Or better: have Hillary apologize.”

Neera Tanden, head of the liberal Center for American Progress and a close Clinton ally, shot back at Conway: "let's make a deal: your campaign apologizes for calling Mexican immigrants rapists and we'll talk."

Trump never said that.  He said that illegal immigrants have among them rapists and criminals. 

The event, a gala for the group LGBT for Hillary at Cipriani Wall Street that featured Barbara Streisand, was not the first time Clinton has used the term. But her extended riff this time drew swift and harsh condemnation from Republicans -- as well as comparisons to past presidential campaign gaffes.

And...

Conway was quick to criticize the comments, jabbing Clinton on Twitter for "placing people in 'baskets'" and insulting "millions of Americans."

“Treating people as subhuman - irredeemable/deplorable - is no way to run for POTUS,” tweeted Tim Miller, a former Jeb Bush spokesman and fervent Trump opponent. “Dems shld skip the excuses & move straight to mea culpa.”

COMMENT:  But they won't.  Hillary meant every word of it.  It's the elitist mentality.  We're better than you are, better than everyone.  How dare you not vote for us.

September 10, 2016        Permalink

SIGN OF THE TIMES – AT 11:58 A.M. ET:  In the president's home city of Chicago, some citizens are taking things into their own capable hands after watching their neighborhoods descend into chaos.  From CBS local: 

(CBS) – A Chicago man, fed up and frustrated with what he says is the rising crime in his neighborhood, takes matters into his own pocketbook — shelling out thousands to pay for private street security.

Security firm owner Howard Greer, also a Chicago cop, patrols the 1100 block of North LaSalle. It’s his off-duty job, paid for by local resident De Mudd.

“I’ve been watching my neighborhood deteriorate over the last couple of years,” Mudd says.

Police, he says, couldn’t keep up. So, Greer and fellow off-duty officers now walk the Gold Coast pocket with guns and handcuffs — six days a week, eight hours a day.

The biggest problems here? Drug dealing, prostitution and loitering.

“It’s like a supplement, supplement to crime fighting, supplement to police department,” Greer explains. “I think it’s very effective.”

It’s not cheap. Mudd says he’s paid $5,000 since mid-August and anticipates spending $50,000.

“I have the means. I’ve been very fortunate,” he says.

Mudd doesn’t blame police and, in fact, sympathizes with them. He also talked to his alderman before hiring Greer’s firm.

Ald. Walter Burnett says he remembers speaking to Mudd about the idea and agrees there are not enough police patrols.

COMMENT:  One of the problems in Chicago is lack of leadership at the top.  In New York, Mayor Rudy Giuliani refused to be intimidated by local "leaders" who always wanted a cut of the action.  In Chicago, those leaders control their communities, like the old machine politicians that they are.  And they have little interest in crime control. 

It's good to see citizens taking action.  Acting within the law, they can be effective.  But it will be up to the community itself to help them.  So far, I haven't heard a single leader, like Jesse Jackson, say a word in their favor.

September 10, 2016        Permalink

TRUMP STILL ADVANCING – AT 11:31 A.M. ET:  New polls continue to show a deterioration in Hillary Clinton's prospects.  It's panic time.  From Reuters:

NEW YORK (Reuters) - Republican Donald Trump appears to have carved out a wider path to the White House as a number of states including Florida and Ohio are no longer considered likely wins for Democratic rival Hillary Clinton, according to the latest Reuters/Ipsos States of the Nation project released on Saturday.

The project, which combines opinion polls with an analysis of voting patterns under different election scenarios, still shows Clinton would have the best chance of winning the presidency if the Nov. 8 election were held today. Yet Trump has caught up to her level of support in several states.

Clinton now has an 83 percent chance of winning the election by an average of 47 votes in the Electoral College, the body that ultimately selects the president. In late August, the States of the Nation estimated that Clinton had a 95 percent chance of winning by an average of 108 electoral votes.

COMMENT:  The key point is the amount of progress Trump has made in the last three weeks.  For Trump, the lesson is that he must continue that progress.  In the last three days he's faltered with foolish statements on foreign policy, including his praise of Vladimir Putin.

But Trump and, just as important, his staff, have shown a recent ability to repair damage and get back on track.  Clinton has shown no such ability.  She seems in a permanent rut, the candidate who apparently thinks the country owes her the presidency, regardless of what she does and says.

Long way to go, but this is now a horse race. 

September 10,  2016     Permalink