Saturday, August 31, 2019

Joe Biden Puts His Foot in His Electability; A dubious argument to run on, and an admission he’s otherwise running on empty.


Tony Branco, Townhall
The American Spectator  "Joe Biden is setting a bear trap for himself by insisting that Democrats should back him solely on the “electability” issue.
"He even had his wife, Jill, as a campaign surrogate, admit to the party’s far-left base that their preferred candidates “might be better on, I don’t know, health care than Joe is” at a New Hampshire campaign event broadcast by MSNBC.
"Mrs. Biden, however, married that admission to a warning: “You’ve got to look at who’s going to win this election, and maybe you have to swallow a little bit and say, ‘Okay, I personally like so and so better,’ but your bottom line has to be that we have to beat Trump.”
Tony Branco, Townhall
"Let’s play that again: “swallow a little bit.” Maybe this strategy will work, but Biden is just as likely to get his electoral hind legs maimed for the effort.
"Trying to sell yourself on the basis of electability has a long pedigree. Of failure.
"Lamar Alexander ran in the Republican presidential primaries in 1996 on the slogan of “ABC: Alexander Beats Clinton.” He finished third place in the Iowa caucuses and dropped out before the “Super Tuesday” primaries.
"Alexander tried again in four years. That time, he didn’t even make it to the Iowa caucuses.
The 1996 election may seem like ancient history to folks, but how about 2016? Is that recent enough?
"Both Jeb Bush and John Kasich were supposed to be more “electable” than Donald Trump and were explicitly sold on that basis. Both had experience governing large states. Both could “credibly” challenge Hillary Clinton. And both went over like a led balloon with primary voters.
"We can quibble with the judgment of those voters, but who exactly went on to be “electable” by defeating Hillary Clinton? Why, Donald J. Trump." . . .

The Times Outraged: Panics as Media Matters Tactics Turned on Paper

A loose network of liberal operatives allied with the Democratic Party and the liberal media is pursuing what they say will be an aggressive, well-funded operation to discredit conservative media deemed hostile to Democrats and the American Left by publicizing damaging information about conservative journalists and other conservative media figures.

Spectator
                      Aiding and abetting attacks on conservative media backfires.


"Well, this is nothing if not rich.
"The New York Times headlined the story this way:
Trump Allies Target Journalists Over Coverage Deemed Hostile to White House
"The opening two paragraphs say this: 
WASHINGTON — A loose network of conservative operatives allied with the White House is pursuing what they say will be an aggressive operation to discredit news organizations deemed hostile to President Trump by publicizing damaging information about journalists.
It is the latest step in a long-running effort by Mr. Trump and his allies to undercut the influence of legitimate news reporting. Four people familiar with the operation described how it works, asserting that it has compiled dossiers of potentially embarrassing social media posts and other public statements by hundreds of people who work at some of the country’s most prominent news organizations.
"Well.
"One doesn’t know whether to laugh or cry at the utter hypocrisy in this story.
Here, for example, is this absolute gem of BS in the story (bold print supplied for emphasis):
But using journalistic techniques to target journalists and news organizations as retribution for — or as a warning not to pursue — coverage critical of the president is fundamentally different from the well-established role of the news media in scrutinizing people in positions of power.
"Let’s stop there for a moment. Memo to the New York Times: Your paper — and the media writ large — are the very definition of people in positions of power.” Are you kidding?" . . .


We Just Found Out Who’s Been Leaking Trump’s Private Conversations

"Perhaps she can earn a bit role on MSNBC for a few months though." You can be sure CNN is trying hard to get her.
RedState  "If you’ve been wondering how so much of what Trump says in the privacy of the Oval Office manages to make its way to The New York Times and other outlets, we might have an answer.

"Over the years, we’ve seen more stories than I can keep up with leaked to the press centering on something Trump supposedly said in private. Often they center on harmless, off the cuff statements (such as the “nuke hurricanes” flap) that are then printed to try to embarrass the President. Context, whether something was actually a joke, or whether it’s even being presented truthfully never seems to matter and since everything is anonymous, it can never be countered.
"Now, Trump’s most trusted executive assistant has been caught leaking details, not just about happenings in the Oval Office, but also about his family.
Madeleine Westerhout, the president̢۪s personal assistant, was said to have indiscreetly shared details about the president̢۪s family and the Oval Office operations she was part of during a recent off-the-record dinner with journalists.
Madeleine Westerhout, the president’s personal assistant, was said to have indiscreetly shared details 
about the president’s family and the Oval Office operations she was part of during a recent off-the-record 
dinner with journalists. Doug Mills/The New York Times
"In fact, it’s no surprise that many media members are painting her in a sympathetic light after the resignation. They just lost what was probably their main source into the President’s inner circle. Outlets like Axios and The New York Times have seemingly had a direct line into the Oval Office since Trump was inaugurated. Westerhout may not be the only source, but she appears to be a major one and it explains so much about how the press got ahold of personal comments that only a handful of people would have heard.
"Westerhout will now learn a hard lesson, namely that the press didn’t really care about her. I’m sure they flattered her and made her feel special while she had the goods. Now that she’s gone, she’ll be cast aside as worthless. She could have kept her job for decades to come, long after Trump left the White House and now that’s gone. All to get some plaudits from Maggie Haberman and company. I have a feeling she’s regretting that decision." . . .

Democrat voters, do you REALLY want these people to rule over us?

Under Democrats, we wake up every morning wondering what they will do to us next. AND to our military. TD

Unpacking the Clown Car
Minus the flags these would be Democrats:

It becomes clearer every day that most journalists would rather have Democrats in power than a good economy
Every economic proposal from the Democrats running would involve transferring more power and money to the government from the private sector. Since the Washington, DC area is already one of the richest areas of the country, despite producing nothing, that would make the wealth and wage gap widen, not shrink.
Don't tell me your pronouns — I can guess!  . . . "Generally, I try to leave the aggressively aggrieved alone, but should anyone ever absolutely insist I call him "zie" or "ey," or "he" when she is clearly female, I am prepared with a response:
" 'Alright," I will say, "I'll take your word for it.  I will do my best to remember, every time I see you, that you consider yourself to be something nature doesn't —but I do have one condition.  As you can see, I'm a person of average height at best.  I've always thought that being a little taller would have gotten me more respect and helped my self-esteem.  For the sake of fairness, since I'm remembering your special self-identity, would you mind crouching a little in my presence — just to acknowledge that, inside, I feel taller?' "
Ocasio-Cortez: A knucklehead gives herself airs  . . . "Informed?  She herself famously didn't know that legislators aren't "inaugurated," but sworn in.  Before being sworn in, she imagined herself signing legislation.  She had, and probably still has, little idea of how the government works, what "Legislative Branch" means, and "Executive Branch," and so on.  People as ignorant as this girl have no business in government because their thrashing around, their uninformed assumptions and nonsensical pronouncements, cause problems for serious people trying to do serious work." . . .

Rashida Tlaib Denounces America, Declaration of Independence in Disgusting Tweet


The Federalist Papers  To celebrate the Fourth of July, Rep. Rashida Tlaib decided to denounce America and the Declaration of Independence on Twitter.
Tlaib retweeted this message:

"Our founding fathers were not living gods...they were fallible human beings." The Declaration of Independence "did not condemn slavery, protect the rights of women or include Native Americans."

"Do you know who else believed that? Roger Taney, the author of the infamous Dred Scott Supreme Court decision, and Stephen A. Douglas, Abraham Lincoln’s challenger in the 1860 presidential election.
"Do you know who DIDN’T believe that the Declaration was “sexist, racist, and prejudiced”?"Abraham Lincoln. And Frederick Douglass.
"So why is Rashida Tlaib repeating the arguments of the racist Taney and Steve Douglas against the anti-slavery Lincoln and Fred Douglass?" . . .

Brit Hume: Biden's misstatements could provide a big boost to 2020 rival Warren

Fox News

Hume says Biden gaffes, fading memory could hurt candidate



"If Democrats grow more concerned about former Vice President Joe Biden's verbal missteps, they could begin to consider nominating another candidate, according to Brit Hume.

"Biden may mean well when he speaks incorrectly, but such mistakes could bring about a perception of "fading memory," Hume said Friday on "Special Report."

" ' I think it could become a very big deal indeed," he said.

" 'He's often misspoken and made gaffes. A number of these recent ones strike me as a man with fading memory -- which is to be expected of a man his age," Hume continued, adding he and Biden, who's 76, are both around the same age." . . .

Friday, August 30, 2019

Letters describing the Battles of Gettysburg and Vicksburg

New York State Library

Letters describing the Battles of Gettysburg and Vicksburg


The Library's Manuscripts and Special Collections Unit has many collections related to the Civil War. In 2013, in commemoration of the 150th anniversary of two major Civil War Battles, Gettysburg and Vicksburg, the Library digitized the letters below, which contain some descriptions of the battles.


There is much material in this site but we have chosen to present research on only the 93rd NYV.
Camp of 93d N.Y.V. 
Near Gettysburg Pa.
July 5th, 1863
Dear Uncle,
… We have had an awful fight here, but thank the Lord, our Army has given the Rebels an ever-lasting thrashing. The heaviest fighting was yesterday, and to-day they are in full retreat, and our army entire is after them. This is the first time since the organization of the army of the Potomac that the rebels have met our men in open field, fight, and I don’t believe they would this time but that (as the prisoners say) their officers told them they were to fight the militia, but they found to their cost that the old army of the Potomac was around. We must have taken about 8,000 prisoners. The loss in killed and wounded on both sides must be 25,000, and some say the rebels alone have lost that number. Gen’l Lee tried to come the flag of truce game on Gen’l Meade, but it failed to work. Gen’l Meade sent back that he would bury their dead for them.
We are encamped about ½ a mile from Gettysburg, right on the Battlefield which is very large. I have seen but very little of it, as we have been momentarily under orders to be ready to move …

The 93rd's monument at Gen. Meade's HQ, which suffered badly during the big bombardment



The 93rd's location during the bombardment. Most artillery fire went over the troops on the main line, doing most damage near Taneytown Road and on the widow Leister's house and really ticking her off when she returned home. Dead soldiers and animals, no problem; it was just that her house was a mess. TD

Leister house. After the battle. Note the dead horses though the human casualties have been taken care of. This looks north along Taneytown Road towards Gettysburg.

Men now avoid women at work – another sign we're being punished for #MeToo

The Guardian; by 


"It looks like Mike Pence is quite the trendsetter. The US vice-president famously refuses to have dinner alone with any woman who isn’t his wife – and now working men across corporate America appear to be following his lead.
"A new study, due to be published in the journal Organizational Dynamics, has found that, following the #MeToo movement, men are significantly more reluctant to interact with their female colleagues. A few highlights from the research include:
 27% of men avoid one-on-one meetings with female co-workers. Yep, that’s right, almost a third of men are terrified to be alone in a room with a woman.
 21% of men said they would be reluctant to hire women for a job that would require close interaction (such as business travel).
 19% of men would be reluctant to hire an attractive woman.
"The data above was collected in early 2019 from workers across a wide range of industries. Researchers had asked the same questions (albeit to different people and with more of a focus on future expectations) in early 2018, just as #MeToo was in full swing, and depressingly, things appear to have got worse. In 2018, for example, 15% of men said they would be more reluctant to hire women for jobs that require close interpersonal interactions with women, compared to 21% in 2019." . . .

Beto O’Rourke’s Latest Goofy ‘Man Of The People’ Video Continues His Tone-Deaf Race To 2020 Obscurity

RedState


"Perhaps the worst thing a politician can do is pretend to be the opposite of what they are.
"That’s one thing I can appreciate about Donald Trump — like Ross Perot, he doesn’t apologize for being a billionaire. His message is, “Hey, I sit on a gold toilet. I know how to succeed. Vote for me and I’ll run America like a successful business.”
"So what’s multimillionaire Beto O’Rourke’s strategy? The man who inherited millions and married the sole child of William Sanders — worth $500 million — has seemed intent upon convincing us he’s just a regular tire-changin’, skateboardin’ dude.
" ‘Cause, you know — that’s who you want running the country: just some guy from the street.
"Therefore, the doofus has yelled into the political ether his vow to fight against the wealthy and privileged (here).
"Except himself, apparently.
"On the other hand, in a way, I guess he has fought against himself — by doing and saying things so ridiculous (like this) that no one would want to vote for him.
"The one-percenter’s now at 2% for 2020.
"A while back, Beto posted a video to prove he’s just like us. But the clip raised a whole lot of questions:" . . .

Joe Biden and the press: he's still our man

April Ryan Pins Attention for Biden’s Phony War Story on Trump’s ‘Climate of Lies’
"CNN analyst April Ryan on Thursday came to the defense of Democratic presidential candidate Joe Biden after the Washington Post said a war story of his was false in nearly every detail."   Watch how Host Jim Sciutto tees up the subject for Ryan:



"Biden completely makes things up? “Gaffe.” Anything Trump says they don’t like? "Lie.' ” Weasel Zippers

Joe Biden told moving military story at campaign stop – but it 'never happened,' report says
"Former Vice President Joe Biden's campaign has been dogged by gaffes -- but a new error could be his most damaging yet." . . .
“He is every bit as sharp as he was 31 years ago. I haven’t seen any change,” Dr. Neal Kassell said, according to Politico. Kassell previously treated Biden for brain aneurysms and has monitored him for brain damage since his surgeries.
RedState: "At least he didn’t claim to be dodging sniper fire like a certain past Democrat nominee, so he has that going for him."
. . . "Fox News delivers the details of this latest episode. It starts with Biden recounting that he flew into Afghanistan, through the teeth of danger, to honor a Navy Captain. The problem is that basically none of what he says is true." . . .

Overnight Open Thread: Mark Steyn Cracks Up Tucker Carlson On Joe Biden

 Joe Biden is always walter Mitty. The heroic captain, the inscrutable spy, the brilliant surgeon in the O R, the valiant pilot on the bombing raid--wherever he is, the fantasies are BIG.

Joe Biden unapologetic after reportedly mistelling military story  . . . "No one has accused Biden of lying or exploiting military sacrifice. For Democratic voters, the question may be is this a sign that more than Biden's memory is at fault or just that his facts are wrong but his passion is right."

A sympathetic press helps: Biden still polls on top

Biden on Detention Facilities: ‘We Don’t Need Them’  . . . "In May, images of migrant children sleeping on detention facility floors went viral on Twitter as viewers assumed the photos were recent and a result of  President Trump’s policies. The images were taken in 2014 during the Obama administration. Obama officials said the photos only depicted detained children that arrived in the U.S. unaccompanied by an adult. Criticism of the Trump administration's detention facilities continued, and in June, he signed an executive order to end family separation in detention facilities." . . .


Tony Branco

This Democrat Councilman Is Fed Up With His Party

"Mark Razzoli, Democrat Councilman for Old Bridge New Jersey exploded with an impassioned Pro-America, Anti-Socialism, Pro-Law Enforcement speech at a council meeting."


Or visit our website: https://www.dailycaller.com

How bad must MSNBC or CNN become before they feel shame?

Photosnark by Rich Terrell
How can O'Donnell keep his job?  . . . "So O'Donnell did not go through the "rigorous verification and standards process"?
"Imagine your airline saying the pilot did not go through the "rigorous verification and standards process" and crashed the plane that your family was in.  Or the doctor operating on your relative.  Or the lawyer writing your loan agreement.
"By any professional standard, MSNBC should dismiss O'Donnell and make an example of his reckless behavior.
"In fact, it could be the best thing that could happen to the media.  It would send a message that sources must be verified, especially if they are telling you something "too good to be true" about President Trump."
"MSNBC's problem is that it's trained its audience to expect something bizarre every night about Trump.  It's time for NBC to realize that this is not really a cable news network anymore.(Emphasis mine, TD)

MSNBC’s Lawrence O’Donnell Proves the Elite Media Have Zero Standards 
. . . "Do you want to know what’s changed so much since 2004?"The media no longer give a damn. They don’t care about public trust. They don’t care about truth or standards or moral authority. It’s all just s**t-posting now, trolling, venting hate, spreading lies, creating tension, and hoping enough voters blame how exhausting it all is on the Bad Orange Man so the Bad Orange Man goes away." . . .
MSNBC and its host Lawrence O'Donnell humiliated, forced to retract charges against President Trump
Welllll, maybe he didn't actually retract the statement, as you can read for yourself. The insertion of "if true" makes pure gossip seem like responsible journalism. The Tunnel Dweller

Even The Washington Post Cannot Defend MSNBC Host Peddling Nonsense Trump-Russia Story
. . . "There’s a two-word phrase that will stick with MSNBC host Lawrence O’Donnell for some time, if not his entire career. He invoked it over and over on his Tuesday night program in reference to Donald Trump’s dealings with Deutsche Bank. “I may have some information in this next hour which would add a great deal to their understanding of that, if true . . ."

Lies, Bias, and Twisted Facts: MSNBC and Media Bias
"Over my decades as a writer, I’ve seen the two faces of the media."


. . . "The reporters have their knives out for ET because of its support for the President. If you go the MSNBC site, you’ll find it nearly impossible to find any positive reporting on President Trump. Studies have shown that 92 percent of the coverage given the president by broadcast news media is negative." . . .

Bomb-y Weather

Stilton's Place


. . . "It is being reported that President Trump has, on more than one occasion, told his staffers to look into the possibility of dropping nuclear bombs on hurricanes to break them apart before reaching American shores. Trump, on the other hand, tweets: "This is so ridiculous, never happened. Fake news!"*

"Granted, the story is pretty suspicious, and bolstered only by statements like "there's reportedly a White House memo that proves it." On the other hand, can we imagine that Trump might have suggested bombing the living hell out of a weather phenomenon? Absolutely! And even though it would be a terrible, terrible idea, the 8-year-old that lives in our brain says: "yeah, but it would be so cool!"

"Frankly, we don't think Trump ever really planned to bomb hurricanes. Rather, he was simply taking a tough position in order to bring hurricanes to the bargaining table."


* We'll simply add the phrase "if true" to the report and all will be well; our journalism credentials will be preserved. It's all good. TD

University of Kansas Faculty Wants School to Boot ‘Bastion of Bigotry’ Chick-fil-A From Campus

Legal Insurrection
“The culture of Chick-fil-A fosters hate and discrimination on multiple levels.” So let's attack them with bike locks and fists!
Don't let the smile fool you.
. . . A bastion of bigotry. If the presence of a fast-food place hurts your feelings, you need to grow up.
"The faculty and students have tried for years to force the university to sever ties with Chick-fil-A. But in 2014, the university extended the contract until 2024.
"The students and faculty complained the University of Kansas had put profit over concerns of those at the school. Chick-fil-A leases space within the school for $60,000 a year.
"Did these people ever think that Chick-fil-A receives such prominence because it produces heavenly food with excellent service? You know, it sticks around because people enjoy the food? EVEN GAY PEOPLE.
"This company that supposedly fosters hate and discrimination has done a lot for its communities. Just because it does not actively support or campaign for gay rights does not mean it discriminates against you.
"I want these people to find me ONE time a Chick-fil-A restaurant discriminated against a gay person.
"I mean, look at this hateful company! You know the chicken sandwich war erupted this past week. Well, in Greensboro, NC, a Chick-fil-A employee saw stressed out Popeyes employees run out of its new chicken sandwiches.
"The hateful man gave the employees and some customers free sandwiches!! It turns out he has been friends with the Popeyes employees for a long time. They usually have breakfast at Chick-fil-A but haven’t been able to catch a break due to the demand for their sandwich.
"A Chick-fil-A manager in Maryland rushed out to help a WWII veteran change his tire. The 96-year-old man came to the counter in tears, and Daryl Howard happily helped.
In Mississippi, a homeless man went to the counter at a Chick-fil-A with only $5. The woman behind the counter told the man that breakfast was on her and took his order.
Such an evil and depraved company!" . . .

Let's see how MSNBC and CNN cover this story.

Thursday, August 29, 2019

Winning: VA Rule Change Allows Bibles, Christmas Decorations


America's Marines Singing "Days of Elijah"

Legal Insurrection

VP Pence: “During the last Administration the VA was removing Bibles & even banning Christmas carols to be politically correct, but under President Trump, VA hospitals will NOT be religion-free zones”

"Under the Obama regime, the VA underwent major restrictive changes in terms of religion and Christmas, with various VA’s around the country instituting a range of bans.  Bibles, high school Christmas carolers, gifts in wrapping paper with the words “Merry Christmas” or “God Bless You,” Christmas trees and decorations, and even Christmas cards for hospitalized veterans were all banned.  
"It was an appalling overreach that is now, at long last, being corrected under the Trump administration.
"Vice President Mike Pence has announced changes in VA rules, and religious items, including those related to Christmas, are again allowed in our nation’s VA hospitals.

Vice President Mike Pence announced that he would be scrapping some of the previous administration’s policies when it comes to religion in Veterans Affairs hospitals.
The vice president spoke before the American Legion National Convention in Indianapolis, Indiana, on Wednesday where he announced that the administration under President Donald Trump would be rolling back some of the policies put into place while President Barack Obama was in the Oval Office.
According to Pence, Obama-era rules prohibited the celebration of religious holidays in VA hospitals, including the display of Christmas trees and Bibles.
Pence promised the veterans in the crowd that those rules were a thing of the past. The Trump administration had overturned those decisions and would be fighting a lawsuit that aims to remove a WWII-era Bible from one VA hospital in New Hampshire.
. . .  

Will 2020 Democratic Platform Trash Israel?

Legal Insurrection
Trump has not made Israel a wedge issue in politics; the Democrats have been actively doing that themselves since Obama.

"In the aftermath of Israel barring entry of two far left-wing anti-Israel members of Congress, Democratic politicians began to worry that Israel was becoming a wedge issue rather than an issue with bipartisan support.

"Staunch pro-Israel Congressman Eliot Engel (D-NY) said “refusing entry to members of Congress looks like Israel [is] closing itself off to criticism and dialogue. This decision will only strengthen the anti-Israel movements and arguments many of us find so troubling, further politicize support for Israel in the United States and ultimately play right into the hands of Israel’s enemies.” (Emphasis added.)

"Engel has been a member of Congress since 1989 and knows better. He has seen his own Democratic party moving away from Israel since President Barack Obama made deliberate efforts to create daylight between Israel and the United States in his outreach to the Muslim world.

"If one were to look at the 2008 Democratic Platform, it would be hard to see much of a difference from the Republican Platform regarding Israel. Both parties considered Israel a strong ally and backed Israeli positions.

"But Obama made a strategic pivot away from Israel running as an incumbent in 2012. With the blessing of left-wing groups like J Street, the Democratic Party officially changed courseon several key issues:" . . .

"Purity of Arms"; When it comes to war, Israel answers to something higher than world opinion

 "Because I cannot believe that Israel is stupid enough to sacrifice herself for a world that despises her, I’ve got a different theory...

https://spectator.org/