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SEPTEMBER 14,  2018

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

AS THE PRESIDENT SAYS, FAKE NEWS – FROM MEDIAITE:  The Weather Channel is defending one of their own after a video of Hurricane Florence coverage went viral.  The video, uploaded to Twitter, shows Weather Channel meteorologist and reporter Mike Seidel bracing in the wind during a live shot in Wilmington, NC.  As he is struggling to keep his footing, two people walk behind him showing no signs of struggle.  Quick, CNN, hire him as a political reporter.

HOW WOULD SHE KNOW? – FROM PAGE SIX:   Jane Fonda believes the downfall of Leslie Moonves won’t be the last we’ll see among powerful entertainment industry executives.  “It’s a shame he didn’t behave, [but now] it’s come back to get him,” Fonda said at Thursday night’s Los Angeles premiere of the HBO documentary “Jane Fonda in Five Acts” at the Armand Hammer Museum.  Moonves departed on Sunday amid a cascade of sexual assault and misconduct allegations.   She continues to be an embarrassment.  Now she's predicting the future in her apparent bid to be Chief Feminist.

JUST WHAT WE ALWAYS WANTED – FROM CAMPUS REFORM:  The University of Maryland at College Park announced Friday a new diversity support group to create a “safe space” for white students to discuss their feelings about “interactions with racial and ethnic minorities.”  The support group, called “White Awake,” will help white students who may “sometimes feel uncomfortable and confused before, during, or after interactions with racial and ethnic minorities.”  “This group offers a safe space for White students to explore their experiences, questions, reactions, and feelings,” the description explains. “Members will support and share feedback with each other as they learn more about themselves and how they can fit into a diverse world.”  The description asks students if they want to “improve [their] ability to relate to and connect with people different from [themselves]” or if they want to become a better “ally.” The new group is now one of four in the university’s “Diversity Issues” program series.  I'm already taking notes.  Tell all your friends about this educational opportunity.

September 14, 2018       Permalink 

THE JUDGE DENIES IT – AT 11:18 A.M. ET:  And it shouldn't even be an issue.  From Fox: 

“I categorically and unequivocally deny this allegation. I did not do this back in high school or at any time,” Kavanaugh, 53, said in a statement Friday.

Feinstein on Thursday released a statement insinuating Kavanaugh could be guilty of a crime after saying she turned information about Kavanaugh over to the FBI. She did not detail the accusation.

“I have received information from an individual concerning the nomination of Brett Kavanaugh to the Supreme Court,” Feinstein said in her surprise statement. “That individual strongly requested confidentiality, declined to come forward or press the matter further, and I have honored that decision. I have, however, referred the matter to federal investigative authorities.”

Fox News has confirmed that the letter involved an allegation about Kavanaugh while a student at Georgetown Preparatory School in Bethesda, Maryland in the 1980s. A woman, who was also in high school at the time, accused Kavanaugh in the letter of holding her down and trying to force himself on her during a party, before she got away. The details were first reported Friday by the New Yorker.

The woman also claimed Kavanaugh was joined at the time by a friend who turned up music to conceal her protests. That unnamed classmate reportedly told the New Yorker, “I have no recollection of that.”

Meanwhile, the Judiciary Committee on Friday received a letter from 65 women who said they knew Kavanaugh from high school and vouched for him as a “good person.” The letter was addressed to Feinstein and Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Chuck Grassley, R-Iowa.

“We are women who have known Brett Kavanaugh for more than 35 years and knew him while he attended high school between 1979 and 1983,” the letter, obtained by Fox News, reads. “For the entire time we have known Brett Kavanaugh, he has behaved honorably and treated women with respect. We strongly believe it is important to convey this information to the committee at this time.”

The White House blasted the charge on Thursday as a last-minute gambit.

“Not until the eve of his confirmation has Sen. Feinstein or anyone raised the specter of new ‘information’ about him," White House spokesperson Kerri Kupec said in a statement.

The accusation comes after the Senate Judiciary Committee already grilled Kavanaugh and other witnesses and prepares to vote on sending his nomination to the full Senate.

COMMENT:   McCarthyism, plain and simple.  That's exactly what it looks like...and I worked with real victims of McCarthyism.

The Democrats should be ashamed.  But there is no shame for people who think of themselves as superior.

September 14, 2018       Permalink

WHERE THE PRESIDENT STANDS – AT 9:53 A.M. ET:  He stands pretty well, considering the pounding he's taking.  From Rasmussen: 

The Rasmussen Reports daily Presidential Tracking Poll for Friday shows that 47% of Likely U.S. Voters approve of President Trump’s job performance. Fifty-one percent (51%) disapprove. 

The latest figures include 34% who Strongly Approve of the president is performing and 43% who Strongly Disapprove. This gives him a Presidential Approval Index rating of -9.

COMMENT:   Not great, but not too different from where Obama stood, although the mainstream media seems to be avoiding that point.

However, the president must do everything he can to build approval, not destroy it.  Once again, he's gotten himself into an unforced error by questioning the death toll when the last hurricane hit Puerto Rico.  Of course, we all know that the monumental incompetence of the Puerto Rican government contributed mightily to the toll, but why does the president have to involve himself and question the numbers?  All he's done is come off as unfeeling, which he's not.  Emphasize the economy.  Stop getting into needless fights.

September 14,  2018     Permalink

SEPTEMBER 13,  2018

SHORT TAKES ON THE DRIFTING WRECKAGE – AT 11:16 P.M. ET: 

CUOMO ROMPS – FROM THE NEW YORK POST:  Gov. Andrew Cuomo fought off a challenge from the left to capture the Democratic nomination as New Yorkers rejected progressive challenger Cynthia Nixon in the state’s Democratic primary.  With roughly 25 percent of the vote counted, Cuomo had a lead of 66 percent to 34 percent over Nixon...A minute after voting ended at 9 p.m., Nixon released a statement essentially conceding and declaring that since polls showed Cuomo up by as much as 41 points, a narrower margin of victory could be seen as “a major embarrassment and significant under-performance for the two-term incumbent.”  I'm no fan of Andy Cuomo, but his margin of victory was no embarrassment.  It was spectacular, considering that New York is one of the most "progressive" states in the country.  Some "progressives" did win other primary battles, but the big prize, the governorship, went solidly to the more moderate establishment.

REALLY? – FROM THE NEW YORK POST:  Billionaire ex-mayor of New York Mike Bloomberg plans to run for president in 2020 as a Democrat, The Times of London reported Thursday.  Bloomberg, who considered independent runs for the White House in 2008, 2012, and 2016, will challenge President Trump, the paper reported, citing sources.  “Mike Bloomberg told me he is going to run in 2020,” a source told the paper.  “He has the money to see it through while other candidates knock themselves out.”  In June, Bloomberg, 76, reportedly said at a fundraiser that he’s “revving up” for 2020.  One person close to Trump said the three-term Gotham mayor would make a formidable opponent.   Oh, I don't know.  Bloomberg has put on this face before, only to decide not to run.  Look, he was a decent mayor and is a fine man.  But he has the excitement factor of a doorknob, and will be 78 in 2020.  If the Dems wanted an old white guy they'd go with Joe Biden.  If Bloomberg did run, he should do so as an independent, in effect starting his own party.  That would make more sense than trying to fight the identity-politics regimen of the Democratic Party. 

PASSING – FROM FOX:  Three-time Tony Award nominee Marin Mazzie, known for powerhouse performances on Broadway in "Ragtime," ''Passion" and "Kiss Me, Kate," has died. She was 57.
Mazzie, who battled ovarian cancer starting in 2015, died Thursday morning at her Manhattan home surrounded by close friends and family, said her husband, actor Jason Danieley.  Mazzie's broad career went from screwball comedy — in "Kiss Me, Kate" and "Spamalot" — to riveting, dysfunctional moms in "Next to Normal" and "Carrie." She earned other Broadway roles in "Man of La Mancha," ''Bullets Over Broadway," ''Enron" and "Into the Woods."  She is survived by her husband and fellow actor Jason Danieley.   I didn't want this to go unnoticed.  There was a time when theater stars were national stars – think Mary Martin or Ethel Merman – but no more.  Yet fine actors and actresses provide thrilling live performances every day and night.  Marin Mazzie was one of the best.  I wish her name had been better known across the country.  Her death at an early age leaves us poorer.

September 13, 2018       Permalink

HOW LOW CAN THEY GET? – AT 4:47 P.M. ET:   Are you believing this?  The Dems in the Senate are apparently planning a Clarence Thomas remake to try to bring down Judge Kavanaugh.  Movie rights are available.  Talk shows have been alerted.  From Dailywire: 

According to a report released Thursday, California Senator Dianne Feinstein, the top Democrat on the Senate Judiciary Committee, possesses a document regarding Judge Brett Kavanaugh that she refuses to share with other Democrats on the committee.

The Intercept reports that other Democrats have requested access to the document, which originated from someone in California, and reportedly delineates an incident between Kavanaugh and a woman in high school. The information regarding the incident was allegedly forwarded to someone affiliated with Stanford University, who wrote the letter and then forwarded it to Rep. Anna Eshoo (D-CA), who sent it to Feinstein.

After news leaked about the document’s existence, Democrats asked Feinstein for access to the document, but they were rebuffed, according to sources for The Intercept.

The Intercept writes, “The woman who is the subject of the letter is now being represented by Debra Katz, a whistleblower attorney who works with #MeToo survivors.  Joseph Abboud, an attorney at Katz’s firm, said that the firm was declining to comment. Emma Crisci, a spokesperson for Eshoo, declined to comment on the letter her office sent to Feinstein, saying that the office has a confidentiality policy when it comes to constituent casework. A spokesperson for Feinstein did not respond to requests for comment.”

COMMENT:  I am not related to Debra Katz, thank goodness.  The whole thing is sleazy, an almost an exact repeat of what was done to Justice Thomas, except that the charges leveled against Thomas by Anita Hill dealt with alleged behavior by an adult.  This Kavanaugh story goes back to high school. 

I'm sure Democrats will also want to look into rumors about Judge Kavanaugh and his behavior toward girls in kindergarten.  I understand there are tapes.  Tapes, mind you, and not family tapes.

Judge Kavanaugh attended high school between 31 and 35 years ago. 

September 13, 2018       Permalink

THE UNREPORTED STORY – AT 1:06 P.M. ET:  South Africa is one of the most unreported stories of our time.  The reason, of course, is that the leftist press cannot face the facts.  Too embarrassing.  Nothing to see, nothing to see.

But this is a real tragedy, which gives the lie to the idea that one apartheid ended, all would be okay.  From the AP: 

JOHANNESBURG — South Africa’s already high murder rate has increased by about 7 percent, prompting the police minister to compare the situation to a “war zone.”

Police on Tuesday released crime statistics showing 20,336 people were murdered in South Africa between April 2017 and March, compared to 19,016 in the previous year.

The police minister, Bheki Cele, says the high murder rate “borders close to the war zone — while there is peace and there is no war.”

Many murders were linked to gang violence in Western Cape province, whose capital is Cape Town.

A parliamentary committee says police efforts to deal with the problem have been ineffective and that commanders should strengthen the law enforcement presence in crime hotspots.

South Africa has one of the highest murder rates in the world.

COMMENTS:  I don't recall any interest shown by "Black Lives Matter" or other racketeering organizations.  If you hear something, send me an email.

And, of course, we look in vain for all the marchers who marched against apartheid.  I wonder how many know the name of even one murder victim.  I guess those victims just aren't trendy.  No cocktail-party talk.

Oh, by the way, South Africa also has one of the worst records in the world in dealing with sexual violence against women.  But there is only silence.

I guess it's just much easier to take a knee.

September 13, 2018       Permalink

AND THE BOOM GOES ON – AT 11:42 A.M. ET:  It cannot be denied.  Economically, these are the best of times, even if the mainstream media regrets it.  From the Washington Examiner: 

That recession driven grimness hanging over the workplace has lifted and now workers of all shades are feeling good about their future.

A new survey provided to Secrets said that 72 percent of blue collar workers and 76 percent of white collar workers are optimistic about their future.

What’s more, half feel that it would be easy to find another job if they needed or wanted to.

But in its survey of 1,001 employed workers, Porch, a free online network that links homeowners and repair, renovation and cleaning professionals, found that there is concern about robots and automation.

For example, 29 percent of blue collar workers are worried that their jobs will soon be automated. But for white collar workers it was just 24 percent.

The survey also found that most blue collar and white collar workers are happy, feel respected, and like each other.

COMMENTS:  The robot issue is an important one, but robots might well lead to shorter work weeks, which many workers would find very desirable, assuming their income keeps up.  If the economy is strong, it might well keep up.

I hope people vote their pocketbooks in November.  If they do, our side should come out pretty well.  If they don't, we might be in trouble.

September 13,  2018     Permalink