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DECEMBER 19,  2014

SHORT TAKES ON THE DRIFTING WRECKAGE – AT 11:31 P.M. ET: 

TOUGH GUY (CHOKE) – President Barack Obama said that SONY was wrong to cancel "The Interview" over threats from North Korea.  It took the president some time to announce his view that submission to terrorists threats was wrong, and he didn't seem all that passionate about it.  The president reiterated his position that North Korea would be punished in some way.  The North Koreans do not seem particularly nervous over this prospect, having dealt with Field Marshal Obama before.  Meanwhile, some Hollywood scribes are suggesting, to our shock and dismay, that SONY may have actually pulled "The Interview" to avoid further embarrassing disclosures by the North Korean hackers who have released e-mails from SONY executives and others.  Careers and egos, after all, are precious.

MR. SMALL TIME – In a particularly demeaning (to Canada) statement, Mr. Obama ridiculed the benefits of the proposed Keystone Pipeline, saying it would primarily benefit Canadian oil companies, as if our closest ally doesn't interest him at all.  Americans overwhelmingly favor the pipeline, but it is opposed by well-heeled enviro-nuts in the Democratic Party.  The new Republican Congress will undoubtedly pass legislation authorizing the pipeline, but the president's statement today strongly hinted that he will veto it.  This will thrill Manhattan and Beverly Hills.

STUNNING – From Fox:  "Parents in Farmville, North Carolina want to know why their children were given a Common Core vocabulary assignment in an English class that promoted the Prophet Muhammad and the Islamic faith.  'It really caught me off guard,' a Farmville Central High School student who was in the class told me. 'If we are not allowed to talk about any other religions in school – how is this appropriate?'
The Islamic vocabulary worksheet was assigned to seniors.  'I was reading it and it caught me off guard,' the student told me. 'I just looked at it and knew something was not right – so I emailed the pages to my mom.'"  If there were any promotion of Western religions in that class, the ACLU and The New York Times would be on the case within minutes.  Notice the silence. 

December 19, 2014       Permalink

A WARNING – AT 10:52 A.M. ET:  North Korea is back in the news, and that's never good.  This time the issue is the hacking of SONY, that great purveyor of fine art.  We'll be discussing this issue and its implications in the days to come.

But North Korea has a record, and it has ambitions.  We are forewarned.  From Fox: 

North Korea dispatched covert commando teams to the United States in the 1990s to attack nuclear power plants and major cities in a conflict, according to a declassified Defense Intelligence Agency report.

The DIA report, dated Sept. 13, 2004, reveals that five units of covert commandos were trained for the attacks inside the country.

According to the report, the "Reconnaissance Bureau, North Korea, had agents in place to attack American nuclear power plants."

The document states that the North Korean Ministry of People's Armed Forces, the ministry in charge of the military, "established five liaison offices in the early 1990s, to train and infiltrate operatives into the United States to attack nuclear power plants and major cities in case of hostilities."

"One of the driving forces behind the establishment of the units and infiltration of operatives was the slow progress in developing a multi-stage ballistic missile."

North Korea is known to have at least two long-range missiles capable of hitting the United States, the Taepodong-2 intercontinental ballistic missile, and the KN-08 road-mobile ICBM, which has not yet been flight tested.

The report indicates that power plants would be targeted for attack "in the event of hostilities between the United States and DPRK" -- the acronym for the Democratic People's Republic of North Korea.

COMMENT:  They did it before and they can do it again.  And now, if reports are correct, North Korea is engaged in active cyber-warfare against the United States, while advancing its nuclear program that we presumably stopped through "negotiations." In addition, it is widely reported that North Korea is actively helping Iran with its military development.

December 19, 2014        Permalink

APPEASEMENT – QUOTE OF THE DAY – AT 9:37 A.M. ET:  With the opening to Cuba, Obama continues his policies of friendship toward enemies and aloofness toward allies.  There are legitimate arguments for improving our relationship with Cuba, but the deal Obama made required almost nothing of the dictatorial Castro government.   That is the Obama style, and where has it gotten us?    Matt Continetti, at Washington Free Beacon, sums it up nicely and gives us our quote of the day: 

“It’s a sad day for freedom,” Marco Rubio told Bret Baier after President Obama announced he would normalize relations with Cuba. Not a sad day, senator: a sad year.

If there was a theme to 2014, it was Obama’s persistence in bailing out dictators and theocrats from political scrapes and economic hardships, his tenacity in pursuit of engagement with America’s adversaries no matter the cost to our strength, principles, credibility, or alliances.

In this president the thugs in Havana and Caracas, Damascus and Tehran, Moscow and Naypyidaw and Beijing have no better friend. For these bullies, these evildoers, these millenarians and sectarians, Barack Obama is more than a dupe. He is an insurance policy.

Cuba is but the latest example of this president’s failing to exercise leverage in the pursuit of American strength and security and prestige. Here are the Castro brothers, decrepit and spent, their revolution a joke, their economy in peril thanks to the collapse in oil prices brought on by a strong dollar and increased U.S. supply.

The China option—foreign direct investment from America—is Raoul and Fidel’s only play to sustain power over the society they have impoverished. And Obama says yes, yes to everything: an embassy, an ambassador, diplomatic relations, travel and exchange, status among nations, removal from the list of state sponsors of terror, and a serious opportunity to lessen the embargo that has kept the dictators caged for decades.

In return, the Castro brothers give up … well, what? Alan Gross, a political prisoner and persecuted religious minority who shouldn’t have been imprisoned in the first place? A second man who has been in captivity for decades? Thin gruel.

COMMENT:  That says it.  Of course the denizens of the mainstream media are falling all over themselves to frame Obama's move as a great diplomatic triumph.  It is not.  It is a lifeline to the Castros, and will do nothing for the Cuban people.  Once again we see that the political left has essentially abandoned any commitment it ever had to human rights. 

December 19, 2014        Permalink

I GUESS THIS IS WHAT THE OBAMANS CALL SMART POLICY – AT 9:14 A.M. ET:   The Obamans claim that our economy is improving, but too many Americans still don't feel it.  And this country is doing little to improve conditions that are needed for a soaring economy.  From Forbes: 

The U.S. is the world’s undisputed economic superpower representing nearly one-quarter of global GDP with $16.7 trillion last year. It is the financial capital of the world and has largely recovered from the Great Recession. The economy recently posted its best six month performance in more than a decade and unemployment stands at 5.9%, down from its 2009 peak of 10%.

Yet for all of its financial might, the U.S. lags behind many other developed nations when it comes to its business climate, and the gap is growing. The U.S. ranks No. 18 in Forbes’ ninth annual ranking of the Best Countries for Business, down four spots from last year. It marks the fifth straight year of declines since the U.S. ranked second in 2009.

Blame an expanded government, as well as expensive new regulations in finance and health care. The U.S. is the only country to record a loss of economic freedom seven straight years in the Heritage Foundation’s Index of Economic Freedom. More than 130 major new federal regulations on starting a business have been added since 2009 at an annual cost of $60 billion, according to the Heritage Foundation. Monetary freedom for the U.S. ranks 81st out of 146 countries with only the U.K. and Turkey faring worse among OECD nations.

The U.S. also gets knocked for its corporate tax climate, which ranks 43rd (out of 146 we ranked countries) in the World Bank’s Doing Business report. The statutory corporate rates in the U.S. are the highest in the world among developed countries and the complexity of the code keeps an army of accountants busy. Companies get a break on their taxes thanks to numerous deductions, but the reality of having the highest published rates in the world makes for bad PR.

The best country for business this year is Denmark, which ranked No. 1 three straight years between 2008 and 2010.

COMMENT:  We can't blame it all on Obama, but a socialist-tilting government is not doing our economy any favors.  The Democrats complain about income inequality, and they indeed have a legitimate point, however it has increased under Obama's administration. 

December 19, 2014       Permalink

IS RAND PAUL SUICIDAL? – AT 8:38 A.M. ET:  One reason I could not support Rand Paul for president, and it is the reason most often given by people on our side, is that he is, at heart, an isolationist on foreign policy.  His father is to the left of the Democrats on foreign policy, and, while Paul insists he's different, I really wonder.

Now Paul has put his foot in it once more by endorsing President Obama's move on Cuba.  From The Hill:

Sen. Rand Paul (R-Ky.) again finds himself at odds with many in the GOP on foreign policy after he came out in support of the Obama administration’s move to normalize relations with Cuba.

“It’s not surprising,” one Republican strategist told The Hill. “Once again he’s has found a way to be even more liberal than Obama on foreign policy. That’s hard to do because there’s only about a dime’s room of space between the two of them, but he always find a way to get into it.”

By fueling his isolationist image, Paul has set himself up for what will likely be a bruising battle on international issues with other GOP contenders in the primaries if he chooses to run for president.

“The road to hell is paved with isolationist intentions,” said Rick Wilson, a Florida Republican strategist. “He was already viewed with suspicion, not just by the donor class, but by the part of the party that believes in strong national security and promoting American values abroad, and now he’s behind throwing a lifeline to a communist dictator.”

A spokesman for Paul did not return a request for comment.

There was near unanimity among Republicans who lined up against Obama on Cuba, and other likely challengers, including former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush and Sens. Marco Rubio (R-Fla.) and Ted Cruz (R-Texas), all criticized the president and said they continue to support the embargo.

Several Republican strategists say Paul is positioning himself to fight a battle over foreign policy that he can’t win in the Republican primaries if he runs for president.

COMMENT:  I certainly hope he can't win it.  The rock of Ronald Reagan's Republican Party has always been a strong foreign policy based on a strong national defense.  That is what won the Cold War, and what is required for the challenges of today.  If Republicans abandon that by nominating Rand Paul, what actually does the party stand for?

I really don't think it will happen, or even come close to happening.

December 19,  2014     Permalink

DECEMBER 18,  2014

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

MILESTONE – From The New York Times:  "Richard C. Hottelet, who covered the D-Day invasion of Normandy and the Battle of the Bulge for CBS and became the last survivor of the 'Murrow Boys,' the network’s pioneering World War II radio newsmen who worked under Edward R. Murrow, died on Wednesday at his home in Wilton, Conn. He was 97."  They were a legendary group, and they weren't perfect.  Murrow, in particular, could be hopelessly theatrical.  But they were a remarkable bunch who essentially invented broadcast journalism as we know it, and, because of new technology, could cover World War II as no war had ever been covered.  Murrow himself died almost half a century ago. 

IS THIS GOOD? – From CBS:  "PLAYA VISTA (CBSLA.com) — It takes about six hours to drive from Los Angeles to San Francisco – depending on your speed – and more than an hour to fly.  But in the future, the trip may take a matter of minutes.  Designers of the speed tube called Hyperloop say they are one step closer to making that happen.  Tesla founder Elon Musk says the technology is being developed with the help of about 25 UCLA graduate architecture students at a facility in Playa Vista."  Yikes.  Just the thought of all those liberals getting together so easily.  Oughta be against the law.

PEOPLE LIVING LONGER – From Fox:  "Global life expectancy has risen by more than six years since 1990 thanks to falling death rates from cancer and heart disease in rich countries and better survival in poor countries from diarrhea, tuberculosis and malaria.  In an analysis from the 2013 Global Burden of Disease (GBD) study, health researchers said, however, that while life expectancy is rising almost everywhere in the world, one notable exception is southern sub-Saharan Africa, where deaths from HIV/AIDS have erased some five years of life expectancy since 1990."  In 1900 the life expectancy for white men in the United States was 47, and for white women 49.  Expectancy for African-Americans was lower.  by 2000 the life expectancy for white men was 75, and for white women it was 80.  Incredible progress in this country, but not everywhere else.

WE FIGHT BACK! – From the Washington Times:  "The White House vowed a 'proportional' response Thursday to North Korea’s suspected hacking of Sony Pictures, as lawmakers pledged to beef up the nation’s cybersecurity defenses and blamed the Obama administration for failing to get tough with state-sponsored hackers.  Administration officials said President Obama’s national security team is considering a range of options to retaliate against those responsible for the cyberattack on the movie studio, which canceled the release of the $42 million film 'The Interview' under threat of Sept. 11-style violence at theaters."  Take that, North Korea!  We're targeting your big guy, Workers Pictures Ltd, and its new release, "Crimes of the American Imperialists and their Sinister Girlfriends."  No Oscar for that one!

December 18, 2014       Permalink

DUMB AND DUMBER – AT 10:48 A.M. ET:  New York is vying for the coveted title of dumbest state in the Union.  It is, as we've reported, the largest outmigration state.  More people leave New York than any other state.  Now it seems determined to keep it that way.  From Fox: 

New York officials on Wednesday moved forward with an effort to ban fracking across the state, citing excessive environmental and health concerns.

Strange.  They do it in the Dakotas, and the people are still alive, healthy, and making good incomes.

The move came during a Cabinet-level meeting in Albany, the state capital, in which Gov. Andrew Cuomo's environmental commissioner, Joe Martens, recommended a ban.

Cuomo, a Democrat, said he will defer to Martens and acting Health Commissioner Howard Zucker in making a final decision.

Translated into English:  "Look, I want to be president someday, which means satisfying the enviro-nuts, who can veto a nomination."

A ban would end the state's current six-month moratorium on fracking.

The process of fracking involves shooting a mix of pressurized water, sand and chemicals to split rock formations to release natural gas and so-called tight oil.

The widely used, deep-drilling process has resulted in a surge in domestic-energy production and has created millions of new jobs.

However, state and local governments are pushing for bans over the health and environmental concerns, including the potential for earthquakes and the contamination of natural water supplies.

New York sits atop the Marcellus shale formation, which stretches 600 miles along the Appalachian Basin and is rich in natural gas deposits.

Fracking supporters immediately expressed opposition to the state’s plan.

“Today’s action by Governor Cuomo shows that New York families, teachers, roads and good-paying jobs have lost out to political gamesmanship,” said Karen Moreau, of the New York Petroleum Council, an arm of the American Petroleum Institute, which represents some of the world's biggest energy companies.

COMMENT:  And these companies are seen as the enemy by the trendy left, much more dangerous than terror groups.  I mean, they can create prosperity!  Talk about disasters.

Fracking would contribute enormously to New York's economy, which is today heavily dependent on Wall Street.  Fracking is a major factor in making this country energy-independent.  Fracking works, and can be made safe.

Down with fracking!  Up with the Castro brothers!

December 18, 2014       Permalink

MAYBE WE SHOULD JUST UNDERSTAND THEIR CULTURE – AT 9:18 A.M. ET:   The horror stories from ISIS continue.  From London's normally leftist Independent: 

Iraq's Ministry of Human Rights has claimed that Isis militants have executed at least 150 women in the Western province of Al-Anbar, Turkish media has reported.

A statement released by the ministry on Tuesday said the militants had attacked women before burying them in mass graves in Fallujah, according to the Anadolu Agency.

"At least 150 females, including pregnant women, were executed in Fallujah [...] after they refused to accept jihad marriage," the statement said.

"Many families were also forced to migrate from the province’s northern town of Al-Wafa after hundreds of residents received death threats."

Isis has overrun a large part of the western Anbar province in its push to expand its territory across swathes of Iraq and Syria.

As a group, Isis has been responsible for mass executions before.

Last month, the militant group shot dead at least 50 men, women and children in a tribe massacre in the province last month.

The attack against the Al Bu Nimr tribe took place in the village of Ras al-Maa, north of Ramadi, the provincial capital. There, the militant group killed at least 40 men, six women and four children.

COMMENT:  Notice the deep concern of the international "human rights" community.  They're more upset by rough interrogation techniques practiced by the United States.   They certainly have a great set of priorities.

December 18, 2014       Permalink

A DISSENTING LIBERAL VIEW – AT 8:52 A.M. ET:  While The New York Times is, predictably, in ecstasy over Obama's Cuba move, the Washington Post is considerably less enthusiastic.  As we've argued before, the Post has the most thoughtful liberal editorial page in the country.  Consider:   

IN RECENT months, the outlook for the Castro regime in Cuba was growing steadily darker. The modest reforms it adopted in recent years to improve abysmal economic conditions had stalled, due to the regime’s refusal to allow Cubans greater freedoms. Worse, the accelerating economic collapse of Venezuela meant that the huge subsidies that have kept the Castros afloat for the past decade were in peril. A growing number of Cubans were demanding basic human rights, such as freedom of speech and assembly.

On Wednesday, the Castros suddenly obtained a comprehensive bailout — from the Obama administration. President Obama granted the regime everything on its wish list that was within his power to grant; a full lifting of the trade embargo requires congressional action. Full diplomatic relations will be established, Cuba’s place on the list of terrorism sponsors reviewed and restrictions lifted on U.S. investment and most travel to Cuba. That liberalization will provide Havana with a fresh source of desperately needed hard currency and eliminate U.S. leverage for political reforms.

As part of the bargain, Havana released Alan Gross, a U.S. Agency for International Development contractor who was unjustly imprisoned five years ago for trying to help Cuban Jews. Also freed was an unidentified U.S. intelligence agent in Cuba — as were three Cuban spies who had been convicted of operations in Florida that led to Cuba’s 1996 shootdown of a plane carrying anti-Castro activists. While Mr. Obama sought to portray Mr. Gross’s release as unrelated to the spy swap, there can be no question that Cuba’s hard-line intelligence apparatus obtained exactly what it sought when it made Mr. Gross a de facto hostage.

No wonder Yoani Sánchez, Cuba’s leading dissident blogger, concluded Wednesday that “Castroism has won” and predicted that for weeks Cubans will have to endure proclamations by the government that it is the “winner of its ultimate battle.”

COMMENT:  The Post is correct.  Dictatorships never agree to anything that will weaken the dictatorship.  This editorial will further agitate those on the orthodox left who have grown increasingly frustrated over the Post's nasty habit of thinking. 

December 18, 2014       Permalink