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JANUARY 2,  2015

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

WELL SAID – The great African-American scholar Thomas Sowell periodically publishes his "random thoughts."  They're always worth reading.  Here's one from this week:  "Republicans complain when Democrats call them racists. But when have you ever heard a Republican counterattack? You don't win by protesting your innocence or whining about the unfairness of the charge. Yet when have you heard a Republican reply by saying, "You're a lying demagogue without a speck of evidence. Put up or shut up!"  He's right.

A GENERATION OF SHEEP – From the College Fix:  "A growing number of law students are complaining to their professors about lectures on rape law, saying the subject is too traumatic to learn about or discuss, according to at least two prominent law professors.  Harvard Law Professor Jeannie Suk detailed the trend in The New Yorker earlier this month, and this week George Washington University law professor John Banzhaf, in an interview with The College Fix, said he has found the same thing in his classroom.  'We are going to be raising a wussified generation of lawyers,' Banzhaf said. 'Students are saying, "I don’t want to hear anything that disturbs me."  How are these lawyers going to do what lawyers have to do, which is to stand up to judges for clients and causes?  This is our basic heritage,' he continued. 'If they’re so wussified that they can’t hear the term rape, it sends tremors down their spine – who’s going to stand up for us?'"

BOEHNER WEAK IN GOP POLL – From NRO:  "Nine percent of self-identified Republicans and self-described independents who say they lean closer to Republicans say they feel 'strongly favorable' about Boehner, and another 34 percent say 'somewhat favorable.' Another 23 percent say they’re 'somewhat unfavorable,' and another 11 percent say strongly unfavorable. An entire 11 percent say they’ve never heard of John Boehner.  Asked, 'If it were up to you, would you elect John Boehner to continue as Speaker of the House or would you elect someone new?' 11 percent of respondents said 'definitely' Boehner, 15 percent said 'probably,' 26 percent said 'probably' someone new, and 34 percent said someone new, definitely."  Mr. Speaker has some work to do.

January 2, 2015       Permalink

I'M SO MOVED BY OUR PROTESTS – AT 11:56 A.M. ET:   Some in Washington describe President Obama as one of the worst negotiators ever to sit in the Oval Office.  I think that's too kind.  His "negotiation" with Cuba, leading to a resumption of diplomatic relations, was basically a cave-in by our side, reflecting Obama's socialist leanings.  Now we pay the price.  Cuba hasn't relented on human rights issues at all.  From Weekly Standard:

Coming on the heels of President Obama's Cuba announcement, the State Department is condemning the "Detentions of Activists in Cuba."

"We are deeply concerned about the latest reports of detentions and arrests by Cuban authorities of peaceful civil society members and activists, including Luis Quintana Rodriguez, Antonio Rodiles, Danilo Maldonado, Reinaldo Escobar, Marcelino Abreu Bonora and Eliecer Avila. We strongly condemn the Cuban government’s continued harassment and repeated use of arbitrary detention, at times with violence, to silence critics, disrupt peaceful assembly and freedom expression, and intimidate citizens," reads the State Department's press release from spokesman Jeff Rathke.

"Freedoms of expression and peaceful assembly are internationally recognized human rights, and the Cuban government’s lack of respect for these rights, as demonstrated by today’s detentions, is inconsistent with Hemispheric norms and commitments. We urge the Government of Cuba to end its practice of repressing these and other internationally protected freedoms and to respect the universal human rights of Cuban citizens.

COMMENT:  I'm sure the Castro brothers, one of the great show-business acts of all time, are worried silly over our "deep concern."  Probably laughing their heads off.

No one respects Obama, or his "concerns."

January 2, 2015       Permalink

MEDICAL ADVANCE? – AT 11:18 A.M. ET:  We don't usually cover medical stories here, but I thought this one so fascinating that I wanted to pass it on.  We have a number of physicians among our readers.  I hope they'll write in and tell us their reaction.  From Reuters:   

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Plain old bad luck plays a major role in determining who gets cancer and who does not, according to researchers who found that two-thirds of cancer incidence of various types can be blamed on random mutations and not heredity or risky habits like smoking.

The researchers said on Thursday random DNA mutations accumulating in various parts of the body during ordinary cell division are the prime culprits behind many cancer types.

They looked at 31 cancer types and found that 22 of them, including leukemia and pancreatic, bone, testicular, ovarian and brain cancer, could be explained largely by these random mutations - essentially biological bad luck.

The other nine types, including colorectal cancer, skin cancer known as basal cell carcinoma and smoking-related lung cancer, were more heavily influenced by heredity and environmental factors like risky behavior or exposure to carcinogens.

Overall, they attributed 65 percent of cancer incidence to random mutations in genes that can drive cancer growth.

"When someone gets cancer, immediately people want to know why," said oncologist Dr. Bert Vogelstein of the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine in Baltimore, who conducted the study published in the journal Science with Johns Hopkins biomathematician Cristian Tomasetti.

"They like to believe there's a reason. And the real reason in many cases is not because you didn't behave well or were exposed to some bad environmental influence, it's just because that person was unlucky. It's losing the lottery."

Tomasetti said harmful mutations occur for "no particular reason other than randomness" as the body's master cells, called stem cells, divide in various tissues.

COMMENT:  If confirmed, I wonder how this study will change the practice of medicine.  Can randomness be prevented?  I have no expertise here.  Write please.

January 2, 2015       Permalink

MAJOR SOCIAL NEWS – AT 10:46 A.M. ET:  Can you imagine, can you just imagine, if a Republican president had done this?  From the Weekly Standard: 

President Barack Obama and his wife, Michelle Obama, spent the first night of the new year at Vintage Cave, an upscale restaurant in Hawaii.

"At Vintage Cave Honolulu, one can enjoy exceptional food and wine at the hands of gifted masters of the culinary arts. ‘Chef’s recommendation’ commands a gravitas guaranteed to satisfy the most discerning palate. Seasoned sommeliers conduct the process of pairing wine and food with true finesse and style. Secure in the natural embrace of the cave-like environment, guests are encouraged to relax, ‘hit reset’ and escape the ordinary," Vintage Cave's description reads on its website.

As Time's Zeke Miller pointed out, membership at the restaurant can set you back $500,000.

The half million dollars is to become a "Charter Member." A cheaper membership option the restaurant offers is "Special Member," which costs only $50,000.

The restaurant's prix fixe menu is reportedly $295, with a 13-15 course meal. One local magazine estimates "total bill for two, with wine, will approach $1,000."

COMMENT:  I eagerly await the reaction of the representatives of the "common folk" in the Democratic Party and the Obama press.  I think I'll be waiting a long time.

Obama's poor taste in engaging in such lavish self-indulgence is a matter of record.  Some thoughtful liberals have been warning that the Democrats have lost touch with the American working man and woman.  Incidents like this underline that.  Today's Democratic Party is elitist and wealthy.  Many Democratic "intellectuals" wouldn't even talk to the people who used to be the foundation of their party.

January 2, 2015       Permalink 

WARNING ON IRAN – QUOTE OF THE DAY – AT 9:47 A.M. ET:  This worry has been expressed by a number of political observers in the United States, and is well articulated by Newsmax, quoting the Times of London: 

President Barack Obama's hope to turn Iran's President Hassan Rouhani "into a friendly ally in the fight against Islamic State" could lead him to undertake "the single most reckless act of 2015" and cut a bad nuclear weapons deal with Teheran, The Times of London editorialized on January 1.

The newspaper agreed that "a deal that places Iran significantly farther away from developing a nuclear bomb is clearly attractive."

It cautioned that the "weakened American leader" could turn to foreign policy to justify his 2009 Nobel peace prize.

"If he does so, it has to have at its heart a sense of what the West considers to be worth fighting for and worth preserving."

The Times warned that "Europe has a tendency to turn inwards, the UN is too often rendered impotent by Moscow and Beijing and NATO summits have degenerated into fundraising events."

It was time to rethink these institutions which were constructed for a different age, said the editorial.

"If the idea of the 'West' is to retain meaning, then its leaders have to find ways of acting together to limit the power and influence of expansionist dictators. It must find coherent responses rather than purely reflexive strategies towards marauding terrorist armies."

COMMENT:  Well said.  We are moving toward the moment of truth with Iran, and the president's recent record includes reckless attacks on police and an open appeasement of Cuban dictators. 

And it isn't only Obama we have to worry about.  There is a faction within the Republican Party, or at least using the Republican Party, led by Rand Paul, that is actually to the left of Obama on foreign policy. 

We have dangerous days ahead.  And a president out of control, with nothing to lose.

January 2,  2015     Permalink

JANUARY 1,  2015

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

PASSING – Mario Cuomo, former governor of New York and an oft-mentioned possibility for president, has died.  His son, Andrew, was just sworn in for his second term as New York's governor.  Mario Cuomo was always talked about for the White House, but he never could make up his mind to run.  Thus, he was labeled, "Hamlet on the Hudson."  His son, Andrew, is also mentioned for higher office, but the mentioning has trailed off.  Andy lacks dad's solid presence, and often looks as if he's ready to draw a gun and take revenge.  Not presidential.  Mario Cuomo symbolized the Democratic Party's liberal wing, and represented it decently. 

SAME OLD STORY – From Fox:  "The number of Americans filing new claims for unemployment benefits rose more than expected last week, but not enough to change views of a sustained strength in the labor market.  Initial claims for state unemployment benefits increased by 17,000 to a seasonally adjusted 298,000 for the week ended Dec. 27, the Labor Department said on Wednesday. That followed four straight weeks of declines.  Economists polled by Reuters had forecast claims rising to 290,000 last week. The prior week's data was revised to show 1,000 more applications received that previously reported. Claims are volatile around the Christmas holiday period."   We watch these things week by week.  While the job market appears to be improving, it can hardly be called strong.  Wages are stagnant, and economists say that the solid growth in the economy during the last quarter is unlikely to be repeated.  Obama has promised more regulation of business.  Not smart at all.

CUBA RESPONDS TO OBAMA'S CHANGE IN OUR POLICY – From Britain's Guardian:  "Cuban police have detained at least three leading dissidents ahead of a planned free-speech demonstration in the Plaza de la Revolución.  The arrests of Antonio Rodiles, Eliezer Avila and Reinaldo Escobar look set to be the biggest test yet of diplomatic relations with the US since they were restored earlier this month after 53 years of tension.  The crackdown came around lunchtime on Tuesday, just hours before local performance artist Tania Bruguera was due to stage an open-microphone event in Havana’s most politically sensitive square.  Police had denied Bruguera a permit for the “Yo tambien exijo,” [I also demand]” demonstration and warned activists not to participate, but several had indicated their willingness to participate in this test case for public dissent.  The authorities did not give them a chance."  Still the old dictatorship.  Note the indifference by the left wing of the Democratic Party.

January 1, 2015        Permalink

de BLASIO'S SLOW SUICIDE – AT 11:38 A.M. ET:  New York may be a liberal city, but the elections of Rudy Giuliani and Mike Bloomberg showed that the right Republican or moderate can be elected mayor. 

Currently, New York has, in Bill de Blasio, the most left-wing mayor in its history, a former (and maybe current) supporter of the Sandinistas and Fidel Castro.  He has become public enemy number one among police officers for his criticism of police and his apparent siding with anti-police demonstrators.

A meeting between de Blasio and police union chiefs several days ago, held to relieve tensions, went poorly.  de Blasio has ignored pleas to apologize to the NYPD for insensitive remarks.  The assassination of two New York City cops, coming after much anti-police rhetoric and poisonous demonstrations, increased the gulf between de Blasio and the police dramatically.

Now de Blasio seems to have gone out of his way to make matters worse.  From the New York Post:   

Mayor Bill de Blasio delivered another blow to New York’s Finest on Wednesday when he reappointed a Brooklyn judge who freed without bail two men who threatened cops just days after the Bed-Stuy double police assassination.

A New Year's Eve reappointment, done when the city wasn't looking.

The stunning decision came even as one of the suspects — a gang member charged with posting police death threats online — skipped a court date and had a warrant out for his arrest, sources said.
Brooklyn Criminal Court Judge Laura Johnson had faced a midnight expiration of her term. She was appointed by then-Mayor Mike Bloomberg in January 2013.

Obviously, a Bloomberg mistake.

Her one-year, interim reappointment by de Blasio outraged law enforcement officials a day after he met with the heads of five police unions to heal his fractured relationship with cops.

“The mayor’s actions of reappointing this judge are completely hypocritical to his argument that he’s pro-police and counterproductive to what he claims to be an effort to open dialogue going forward,” said sergeants union chief Ed Mullins.

“He had the opportunity to demonstrate good will and support for the police, and he once again has demonstrated the opposite.”

The head of the state ­court officers union, Dennis Quirk, called de Blasio’s decision “a disgrace.”

COMMENT:  de Blasio probably figured that he could not fail to reappoint this incompetent judge without infuriating his leftist base.  So he's taking more heat from police, whom the base despises.

One of the problems here is that the organized Republican Party is so weak in New York City.  It often surrenders before the election campaigns begin.  Rudy was a fluke, a man who had built an independent reputation as a prosecutor.  Bloomberg, a zillionaire, could finance his own campaign.

de Blasio is up for re-election in 2017.  Where is the new Rudy?

January 1, 2015       Permalink

JEB GETS READY – AT 11:16 A.M. ET:  It's pretty clear that Jeb Bush is running for president.  Buoyed by early (and somewhat meaningless) favorable polls, he is taking steps to separate himself from any conflicts of interest.  From the Washington Post: 

Former Florida governor Jeb Bush, moving closer to a possible presidential run, has resigned all of his corporate and nonprofit board memberships, including with his own education foundation, his office said late Wednesday night.

He also resigned as a paid adviser to a for-profit education company that sells online courses to public university students in exchange for a share of their tuition payments.

Bush’s New Year’s Eve disclosure, coming in an e-mail from an aide to The Washington Post, culminated a string of moves he has made in recent days to shed business interests that have enriched him since leaving office in 2007. The aide said the resignations had been made “effective today.”

The aide said Bush was reviewing other businesses in which he is principal partner or owner, such as Jeb Bush & Associates, a consulting firm, and Britton Hill Partnership, a business advisory group that in 2013 set up private-equity funds investing in energy and aviation.

Aides said Bush wants to devote his time to exploring a return to politics rather than pursuing his business commitments. But separating himself from those interests now could also be a strategic attempt to prepare for the added scrutiny of a hotly contested campaign for the Republican nomination.

Bush’s financial stake in Academic Partnerships, the online education firm, has been relatively small for a millionaire — a $60,000-a-year fee and ownership of a small amount of stock, said Randy Best, the company’s founder and chief executive. Even so, Bush’s affiliation with the firm — which has contracts with schools in a half-dozen states and several foreign countries and has annual sales of $100 million — could complicate his effort to promote his record as an education reformer.

The company receives up to 70 percent of the tuition some students pay to public universities, and some faculty members say it siphons money from the schools while asserting too much control over academic decisions.

COMMENT:  Jeb is already controversial among Republicans, with some conservatives saying he just isn't conservative enough for the modern Republican Party.  His supporters say he will point to a very conservative record as a successful and popular governor of Florida.

There is the dynasty issue.  America doesn't do dynasties.  But that would be neutralized if Hillary Clinton is the Dem nominee, as I expect she will be.  She can hardly point to a Bush dynasty when, standing beside her is a former president, her husband.

2016 has begun.

January 1, 2015        Permalink

CONFRONTATION – AT 10:58 A.M. ET:  Congress to vote on Keystone Pipeline.  From the Washington Examiner: 

The House will hold a vote on authorizing the Keystone XL pipeline in the first two weeks of session next month, a GOP leadership aide confirmed with the Washington Examiner.

The bill will likely pass the House by a sizable margin. The Senate also plans to hold a vote in January, and has a Jan. 7 committee hearing on a bill to green light the Canada-to-Gulf Coast project.

The 1,200-mile pipeline has been under federal review more than six years. Its builder, TransCanada Corp., needs a cross-border permit to complete its northern leg.

Incoming Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., has pledged to have an open amendment process on the legislation. The bill likely has the 60 supporters needed to clear procedural hurdles for a vote, but it remains to be seen whether potentially controversial amendments — such as handcuffing the Environmental Protection Agency's ability to regulate carbon emissions from power plants — would cost Democratic votes.

COMMENT:  The key here is to make sure the legislation isn't hobbled by Republican amendments, forcing President Obama to decide whether to veto a simple authorization of the pipeline.  He's given broad hints that he will indeed veto the pipeline, but that would be a broadly unpopular move and would antagonize organized labor, which hopes for new jobs from the pipeline project.

On the other hand, Obama may decide to let the pipeline go through.  This would infuriate the environmental religionists who believe Keystone is the work of the Devil, but would raise Obama's overall popularity.  We wait and see.

January 1,  2015     Permalink