Ransom or what?

comicallyincorrect

Jonah Goldberg: When Is a Ransom Not a Ransom? When It’s Inconvenient to Call It That  
. . . "Now, because of this pas-de-deux of asininity, not only have we given the Iranians untraceable walking-around money to give to its terrorist proxies, we’ve also given them every incentive to kidnap more Americans — which is exactly what they’ve been doing. But at least the folks at the State Department can sleep soundly knowing that they didn’t really pay a ransom — it just looks that way."

Rich Lowry: The Ransom that Dare Not Speak Its Name . . . "At the most basic level, if the U.S. government were paying ransom to Iran, this is what it would look like: A cargo plane stuffed with wooden pallets of $400 million in foreign currency, obtained by the U.S. government from the central banks of the Netherlands and Switzerland, landing in an airport in Tehran reportedly the same day the hostages were released. The director Michael Bay couldn’t ask for better material." . . .

Weekly Standard: Kerry Says $400 Million Iran Story Is Not New  " 'This story is not a new story," Kerry told reporters in Argentina. "It doesn't represent anything the American people weren't told by the president and by the administration. What it does represent is a policy of common sense.' "

Well, yes, it was. If your enemy holds hostages you desperately want back and asks money for them, you could say it is "common sense" to pay the money, just as it is "common sense" to give the schoolyard bully your lunch money. How will that all work out for you?

UK Mail:Could Trump have been right? Propaganda film suggests Iran DID videotape cash-drop plane and photograph shipment of cash during January prisoner swap

Salon: Congress was right: The Iran deal is a travesty — and Obama is to blame

. . . "These latest developments undoubtedly confirm what conservatives and other pro-Israel activists have been arguing throughout this entire episode. They’re yet another reason why people who don’t like flawed GOP nominee Donald Trump will still have a hard time voting for Hillary Clinton, given her prominent role in helping usher in this flawed deal. They also tarnish President Obama’s legacy, despite his brag last week at the Democratic National Convention in Philadelphia that he’d “shut down Iran’s nuclear weapons program' ” . . .

The Wall Street Journal has a story on it but you have to register to read it.

Black Lives Matter Keeps Getting More Radical — Will the Media Care?

David French at National Review

"Their decision to elevate the most extreme voices has dire consequences for racial justice."

. . . "But you’d never know this from coverage by mainstream media. The networks consistently elevate Black Lives Matter spokespeople without even hinting at their radical views — allowing them to draw adherents by the millions and granting them one of our culture’s largest megaphones. This directly contradicts the typical media approach to conservatives. Mainstream media not only work overtime to identify and root out conservative “extremism,” but they will blame conservative rhetoric for violence even in the total absence of evidence. (See, for example, commentary about the jihadist massacre in Orlando or the Gabby Giffords shooting in Tucson). When it comes to leftist extremists, however, the media will work overtime to distance Black Lives Matter from violence even though its supporters routinely call for it, sometimes attacking police directly." . . .

 This isn’t a serious political movement. It’s the grown-up equivalent of a student temper tantrum, where the demands for leaving the dean’s office include everything from better stir-fry in the cafeteria to peace in the Middle East. It self-identifies as radical, and implementing its agenda would require nothing more and nothing less than the overthrow of the American political and constitutional order.

 

Brave man who stood up to Munich shooter now facing prosecution for 'INSULTING killer'

UK Express

"Thomas Salbey, 57, saw the shooting happening from his balcony in the Bavarian capital on July 22. 

"In an attempt to stop 18 year old Ali Sonboly from further slaughtering people, he swore at the shooter as he was standing in a car park below.

"Sonboly shouted at him: "I am a German."

"Footage of the feisty exchange went viral as thousands praised Mr Salbey for standing up to the deluded teenager.

. . . 

"Loner Sonboly had just shot dead nine people, mainly young teenagers he had lured to McDonald’s on the premise of free food. 

"The German-Iranian also injured 16 others during the rampage before he killed himself a kilometre away from the Munich Olympiad shopping centre he carried the shooting out at.

"Now, in a twist of German justice, Mr Salbey is now facing charges for standing up to the killer who shot himself in the head."

Olympics viewers revolt over constant commercials during NBC broadcast

Via Drudge  " 'Mediaite notes the first 40 minutes of the Opening Ceremonies included 14 minutes of commercials during six different breaks.' "

Chris Sprague @Stinkalope

Thanks NBC for showing the Olympic Opening Ceremony in the short breaks between commercials. #nbcfail

Marc Ryan‏@MarcinKeene

@MeredithBlake NBC breaks into parade of commercials with Bermuda.

Note to GOPers shying away from Trump: Hillary Clinton a clear and present danger to U.S

Joe Newby

"On Friday, the Atlantic posted a list of “major” Republican figures and listed where they stand on Donald Trump, the current GOP nominee.  Other alleged Republicans say they’ll vote for Hillary Clinton, perhaps the most evil person ever nominated by a major party for the highest office in the land.  Perhaps they don’t understand that Hillary Clinton presents a clear and present danger to the United States.

"Let me explain why.

"For starters, Clinton has spent more than 40 years lying and scheming her way to the top.  There’s simply not enough space here to list all the lies, but there is a video showing her lying for some 13 minutes.

"Despite what some may think, Clinton is every bit the Marxist that Obama is.  As we noted last April, she once called for Marxist redistribution for “the common good.”  This is hardly something any true Republican can support.

"She’s hardly a supporter of the First Amendment, and she absolutely loathes the Second.

"Then there’s her history regarding the single greatest threat not just to America, but the West as a whole — radical Islamic terrorism." . . .

The Conservative

You may recall that her husband "loathes" the military. In addition, you may all know the stories of Hillary's treatment of our military.

Leftists, as a general rule have little respect for our military. Example:  Every Marine an Umbrellaman

People who cheer for and adore Hillary and Obama are indeed worthy of contempt in my view.

Reporters cheer Hillary Clinton during appearance before associations of black and hispanic journalists in DC

UK Daily Mail 

 "Hillary Clinton gave a political speech to an association in D.C. and got applauded by a group of her top supporters – the media.

"The Democratic presidential nominee addressed the National Association of Black Journalists and the National Association of Hispanic Journalists in Washington, D.C. at their annual conference.

"There were hundreds of members of the media in attendance. Organizers were cognizant of the optics, and went to groups of reporters in advance to remind audience members not to stand and cheer.

"But as Clinton went through her speech and took questions, significant numbers of professional journalists couldn't help themselves from registering their approval.

Donald Trump and the fitness threshold

Charles Krauthammer  "Donald Trump, the man who defied every political rule and prevailed to win his party’s nomination, last week took on perhaps the most sacred political rule of all: Never attack a Gold Star family. Not just because it alienates a vital constituency but because it reveals a shocking absence of elementary decency and of natural empathy for the most profound of human sorrows — parental grief.

"Why did Trump do it? It wasn’t a mistake. It was a revelation. It’s that he can’t help himself. His governing rule in life is to strike back when attacked, disrespected or even slighted. To understand Trump, you have to grasp the General Theory: He judges every action, every pronouncement, every person by a single criterion — whether or not it/he is “nice” to Trump." . . .

Of course we all try to protect our own dignity and command respect. But Trump’s hypersensitivity and unedited, untempered Pavlovian responses are, shall we say, unusual in both ferocity and predictability.

Pookie's Toons

Cartoons added by TD

American Silliness Aug 5, 2016

"Good Lord, Now Milk Is Racist Too"  . . . "Despite [Constance Hilliard's] lack of scientific credentials, she says blacks may be at risk from the racist effects of milk. In addition, she accuses the FDA of racism for recommending that black people drink milk." . . .

Colleges feel left-wing protests' financial pinch  "As the court of public opinion determines that certain college campuses are becoming enemies of debate, decency, and free speech, alumni are pulling back their donations, The New York Times reports."

Muslim Congressman Offers Internship To Anyone Except Straight, White Men…  . . . “ 'While Congressman Ellison encourages all individuals to apply, applicants with strong ties to the Fifth District or Minnesota are preferred,” the page states before adding one final note: “People of color, LGBTQ individuals, women, and people with disabilities are strongly encouraged to apply.' ”

Obama Repeats Claim ISIS Terror Attacks A Sign He’s Winning…

bloviatingzeppelin

After 260 Days, Hillary To Finally Speak In Front Of Press (But Only Black And Latino Journalists) "So only to what she believes to be a safe and friendly audience, an audience that has DeRay McKesson as a speaker."

BLM line blocks ambulance causing death of black patient  "Once news of the fatality reached the protesters, they became even more agitated, claiming that in addition to being targeted by racist police, they were now also targeted by other emergency services, such as the EMS, a racist organization that failed to give their best efforts to save the lives of black patients."

UMD student paper bows to outrage over op-ed criticizing BLM  "The op-ed argues that some of BLM's rhetoric is counterproductive because it teaches children to "fear and fight the police.' "

The secret city of London (which is not part of London) explained – bet you didn’t know this…

The Vintage News

"The Great City of London, known for its historical landmarks, modern skyscrapers, ancient markets and famous bridges. It’s arguably the financial capital of the world and home to over eleven thousand people.

"Wait, what? Eleven… thousand?

"That’s right: but the City of London is a different place from London — though London is also known for its historical landmarks, modern skyscrapers, ancient markets, famous bridges and is home to the government, royal family and seven million people.

"But, if you look map of London crafted by a careful cartographer that map will have a one-square mile hole near the middle — it’s here where the City of London lives inside of the city named London.

"Despite these confusingly close names the two Londons have separate city halls and elect separate mayors, who collect separate taxes to fund separate police who enforce separate laws….OK wait – watch the video, it will explain it better than I can . . ."

Hat tip to Ian Dewar of the UK

While administration officials continue to insist no ransom paid for hostages, Iran says differently

Rick Moran  "The administration's continued insistence that it didn't pay $400 million in cash to ransom American prisoners in Iran is looking ridiculous in the face of Iranian statements in the past and the way most other nations interpreted the payment." . . .
. . . 

"If it was not intended to be secret, why did the administration keep the transaction from the House and Senate intelligence committees?

"One of the hostages claims that his plane sat on the runway for hours waiting for the plane with the $400 million in cash: . . .

Update: Iran: $400 Million in Cash Was Part of ‘Expensive Price’ to Free U.S. Hostages  . . . "The footage, which could not be independently verified, shows images of large stacks of hard currency and features claims that the Obama administration sent this money over as part of an effort to free several U.S. hostages. The White House vehemently denied these claims this week following new reports about the cash exchange.

"BBC Persian reporter Hadi Nili posted the footage on Twitter, describing it as showing the “pallets of cash” and quoting officials as saying “this was just part of the ‘expensive price’ to release Americans.' ”   Iran owns Barack Obama, lock, stock, and barrel.

. . . 

"When the Iranians and most of the rest of the world believes that ransom was paid to get our hostages released, the administration simply doesn't have a leg to stand on.  They can claim no ransom was paid until they are blue in the face and it won't change the facts.

"President Obama is fond of saying Republicans refuse to accept reality.  The administration not only refuses to accept reality in this case, they are actively lying to the American people."

Cartoons added by the Tunnel Dweller.

Vacation time in Martha's Vineyard. Again.

Don't get your hopes up; Obama's administration is still on the job, regulating our lives.

UK Mail: Inside the Obama's $12m summer vacation spot: Seven bedrooms, a tennis court, an infinity pool and a manicurist on call

"In the middle of Mr Obama's vacation last year, the terrorist group released the first of several videos showing the decapitation of a Western citizen. 

"While Mr Obama was forced to return to Washington at least once during the trip, he did return to the island where he was pictured laughing with friends on the golf course as the nation mourned for fallen photojournalist James Foley. " . . .

When The Going Gets Tough

"In this tumultuous and wildly volatile political season, it's almost refreshing to see that some things never change. In this case, the fact that the Obama family is winging their way to yet another taxpayer funded multi-million dollar 5-star vacation in Martha's Vineyard andcoincidentally getting the hell out of Dodge just as fresh feces is hitting the fan." . . .

Also in the news as Barry heads out to the golf courses is his unprecedented commutation of hundreds of federal sentences for prisoners who were in the pokey for (ahem) mostly low level drug offenses.  Granted, many violent criminals plead guilty to lower level drug offenses in exchange for not being tried for their bigger crimes...but that's hardly the president's concern.

 

Shattering the Crass Ceiling

Ruth King  "Hillary Clinton appeals to women on the myth that she will shatter a "glass ceiling" that impedes women from high office.  But that glass ceiling has already been shattered by women more talented and more courageous, who have fought political battles in male-dominated tribal nations where women are derided."

Lets look at a few women who are head and shoulders above the one this American culture has deemed a "champion". We have only listed their names here but the linked article discusses each in more detail.

Hillary is no Ellen Johnson Sirleaf. . .
Hillary Clinton is no Margaret Thatcher. . . (The Iron Lady)
Hillary is no Angela Merkel. . .
Hillary is no Corazón Aquino. . .

. . . "Hillary is more akin to Argentina's former president, Cristina Fernandez de Kirchner, who was elected on the coattails of her husband, the previous president, Nestor Kirchner.  Kirchner was a liar, a grifter, and a corrupt leader who enabled Iran in Argentina.

"Hillary also bears a strong similarity to Dilma Rousseff of Brazil, who started her political career as a Marxist guerrilla in the 1970s against Brazil's military dictatorship.  The disgraced President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva – president from 2003 to 2011 – mentored her into becoming Brazil's first female head of state as well as in chicanery that led to impeachment.  She was also an advocate for nationalization and big "progressive "government.

"It may be high time for America to have a female president – but not in this election, and not Hillary Clinton."

Cartoons added by TD