Here Are Some Judges The White House Is Considering For The Supreme Court

Yeshiva World News  "The White House is considering nearly a half-dozen relatively new federal judges for President Obama’s nomination to the Supreme Court, focusing on jurists with scant discernible ideology and limited judicial records as part of a strategy to surmount fierce Republican opposition.

"As Obama prepares for what probably will be his last opportunity to try to shape the high court after the sudden death of Justice Antonin Scalia, the president faces an unprecedented hurdle, with the Senate’s GOP majority vowing to ignore any nominee he proposes.

"Based on interviews with legal experts and others, including some who have spoken in recent days with Obama administration officials involved in the vetting process, the president is leaning towards a sitting federal judge to fill the vacancy – and probably one the Senate confirmed with bipartisan support during his tenure. . These insiders, who insisted on anonymity to discuss private conversations, noted that the administration is winnowing its list of candidates – but could add more.

"The candidates under consideration include: . . .

Trump's first bad week; It also clarified that it may not be in his nature to become presidential.

American Spectator    "It was an ugly weekend for Donald Trump — his first in a primary election season that for Republicans has been somewhere between a surprise and an embarrassment. Not only did Ted Cruz win two of Saturday’s four primaries and caucuses, trouncing Trump in Kansas and Maine, but Trump barely beat Cruz in Louisiana and Kentucky. Trump consistently underperformed polls going into the contests.

"There was not a great deal of polling for these elections, but here are the results as compared to the RealClearPolitics average of polls in each state, with each candidate’s numbers representing his percentage of the vote received:

Kansas (caucus): Cruz 48.2, Trump 23.3, Rubio 16.7, Kasich 10.7 (Cruz +25 over Trump).Average of two recent polls: Trump +9, meaning Cruz beat the polls by 34 points.  Kentucky (caucus): Trump 35.9, Cruz 31.6, Rubio 16.4, Kasich 14.4 (Trump +4 over Cruz).RCP only had one poll on this race: Trump +13 over Cruz meaning Cruz beat the poll by 9 points.  Louisiana (primary): Trump 41.4, Cruz 37.8, Rubio 11.2, Kasich 6.4 (Trump +3.5 over Cruz).Average of three recent polls: Trump +15.6, meaning Cruz beat the polls by 12 points.  Maine (caucus): Cruz 45.9, Trump 32.6, Kasich 12.2, Rubio 8 (Cruz +23 over Trump).There was no poll of this race, but I’d bet money that a poll would not have shown this result, not least because Trump recently received the endorsement of Maine’s Governor Paul Le Page.

. . . "Could it be that Trump’s many unpresidential utterances (or silences) are catching up with him?" Read them all here.

Madonna, the diva of debauchery: Reaping what she's sown

Madonna will likely lose custody of a son who moved to another country to get as far away from her as possible and refuses to come home.  And so, as the woman who for 30-plus years has influenced millions of children to rebel and disregarded the wishes of their parents loses control of her own child, one can't help but wonder if Madonna likes how it feels.

Jeannie DeAngelis   "Anyone who does not believe in the Biblical principle of "sowing and reaping" – which is known as 'karma' in certain circles – should have a chat with aging 1980s pop icon Madonna.

"It seems the Diva of Debauchery is reaping the harvest of heartache that she has so diligently sown for almost thirty years.  Ms. Ciccone has negatively etched vulgar lyrics and images into the impressionable minds of children; purposely tainted the innocent; and, like a parasite, burrowed into the psyche and spirit of an entire generation. 

"It was Madonna who spent the greater part of the 1980s, and most of the '90s, expressing her sexuality at the expense of America's children.  When not parading around naked in pornographic picture books, Madonna Louise Ciccone defiled young minds by blaspheming via Christian symbols and extolling the merits of losing one's virginity.

"As we all know, "what goes around comes around," so it should be no surprise that the female exhibitionist who robbed millions of their innocence is currently being bitten by a very different, but equally painful, kind of karma." . . . Full article here.

Claim: White House adviser Valerie Jarrett once said she seeks "to help change America to be a more Islamic country."

Snopes says:
                                       FALSE

Sorry, I know many wanted to believe this. The claim:

. . . "Contrary to common rumor, however, neither Jarrett nor her parents are Iranian, nor (as far as we can tell) are any of them Muslim. " . . .

"Valerie was born in Shiraz (Iran) during the Bowmans' sojourn in Iran; she returned to the U.S. with her parents in 1962 (when she was five years old),. . . We've found no evidence Valerie Jarrett is (or ever was) Muslim, her only apparent connection to that religion being the incidental one that she temporarily lived in a predominantly Muslim country with her American parents for the first few years of her life. 

"The quote to attributed "Valerie Jarrett, Stanford University, 1977" about her "seek[ing] to help change America to be a more Islamic country" is an unfounded one that has no source other than recent repetition (primarily on right-wing web sites and blogs)." . . .

It hurts that the made-up rumor is attributed to the "right-wing" and probably accurately so. This comes not from intellectually conservative sources such as William F. Buckley, Victor Davis Hanson, National Review or many other dependable voices. In fact these rumors do damage to the reputations of great conservative minds and we on the right must not let rumor-mongers speak in our name. 

Enough empirical evidence of the damage done to our nation and allies exists without the need to manufacture any. As with Det. Mark Furman at the O.J. Simpson home, we do not need to frame the already guilty.

The Tunnel Dweller

Rush Limbaugh on Trump: Much Bigger Upside than Downside (Video)

By Jim Hoft at theGatewayPundit   "Rush gets it.

"Popular conservative talk radio host Rush Limbaugh admitted on FOX News Sunday that there’s a “much bigger upside than downside” with Donald Trump’s candidacy."

"Rush was been lukewar[m] for the GOP frontrunner in recent weeks but there is no denying his ability to expand the Republican base in this year’s election.

"The Hill reported:

Conservative talk radio host Rush Limbaugh said Sunday that there’s a “much bigger upside than downside” in the Republican presidential candidacy of real estate developer Donald Trump.

“I think with the case of Trump, there’s a much bigger upside than downside,” said Limbaugh while appearing on “Fox News Sunday.”

Limbaugh also said he believes that the divide between the Republican establishment and conservatives is “longer, broader, wider than I have ever seen it.”

Rush Limbaugh on Donald Trump’s Support for Planned Parenthood: He’s ‘Running a National Campaign’

"Limbaugh said:

“They do great health things for women!” He acknowledges abortion’s no way. “We’re gonna defund ’em because of that,” but he… Folks, he’s running a national campaign here, and he’s talking about broadening the base. Last night he said, “We’re gonna unify.” Last night he acknowledged a point that I’ve been trying to make everybody here for weeks now, and that is that he has put together a coalition that’s way beyond the Republican base. It’s way beyond a conservative Republican base.

. . . "Trump continues to say that – if elected president – he will eliminate Planned Parenthood’s taxpayer funding as long as it performs abortions. He has quoted Planned Parenthood as saying that only three percent of its services are abortions. Though that percentage has been debunked many times by others, Planned Parenthood’s own CEO and president – Cecile Richards – admitted last week, “The abortion part of Planned Parenthood is an important part of what we do.' ”

Hillary Clinton, Bernie Sanders to Speak at Sharpton Conference in April

Republican Security Council

Also at Quadrangle

WSJ (But subscription required.)   "The Democratic presidential hopefuls will discuss civil rights issues at the National Action Network event

Hillary Clinton and Sen. Bernie Sanders will speak at the Rev. Al Sharpton’s National Action Network conference next month in New York." . . .

 The Daily Press   "Democratic presidential candidates Hillary Clinton and Bernie Sanders are set to attend the Rev. Al Sharpton's annual civil rights conference."A spokesman for Sharpton's group, the National Action Network, announced Friday that both candidates will deliver speeches at the April event in New York."Sharpton has not offered an endorsement in the race. He met with both Clinton and Sanders in New York last month."President Barack Obama has previously attended the annual conference but will not this year."But several members of his cabinet, including Housing and Urban Development Secretary Julian Castro, and Secretary of Labor Thomas Perez, will attend."The conference, which will mark the National Action Network's 25th year, will begin April 13."

 Sharpton warns Dems: Trump is a threat to Hillary Clinton  “'The Democrats are going to have to bring out their base — plus,” Sharpton said.

"As for supporting Trump himself, Sharpton said that won’t be happening “in this lifetime.' ” . . .

Case Closed: Victory for WWII Memorial. In the 9th Circuit Court, of all places!

American Center for Law and Justice

By - of all courts - the Ninth "Circus" Court!

"We are pleased to report that the battle over the WWII Memorial Jesus statue has come to an end.  It’s a significant victory against angry atheists that allows war heroes to be properly honored.

"As we expected, the Ninth Circuit’s[!] denial of review delivered a final blow to the attack. " . . .

. . . 

 "As you will recall, the battle began, almost 5 years ago, when the angry atheist group known as the Freedom From Religion Found[a]tion demanded that the over 60 year old WWII Memorial statue of Jesus be removed from Big Mountain in Montana. The six foot Jesus statue was originally erected in the Flathead National Forest by the Knights of Columbus to remember the service of the local veterans that bravely fought the Nazis in the Italian Alps. The statue held deep historical significance to residents and veterans in the community – reminding veterans of the statues that brought them hope and solace as they fought for freedom across Europe. ". . . 

Hat tip to Eva Small at ACT for America Portland Oregon

Cautionary words for America from Dr. Thomas Sowell

Are you familiar with Dr. Thomas Sowell?

"Thomas Sowell was born in North Carolina and grew up in Harlem. . . . After leaving the service, Thomas Sowell entered Harvard University, worked a part-time job as a photographer and studied the science that would become his passion and profession: economics.". . .  "In 1990, he won the prestigious Francis Boyer Award, presented by The American Enterprise Institute."Currently Thomas Sowell is a senior fellow at the Hoover Institute in Stanford, Calif."

Sharing, I think, my concern that the nation which chose a petulant, vindictive juvenile president for - not one, but - two terms, has not learned and is ready to choose another petulant leader. TD

Doctor Sowell writes:
Last Chance for America? " The "Super Tuesday" primaries may be a turning point for America -- and quite possibly a turn for the worse. After seven long years of domestic disasters and increasing international dangers, the next President of the United States will need extraordinary wisdom, maturity, depth of knowledge and personal character to rescue America.
"Instead, if the polls are an indication, what we may get is someone with the opposite of all these things, a glib egomaniac with a checkered record in business and no track record at all in government -- Donald Trump.

"If so, the downward trajectory of America over the past seven years may well continue on into the future, to the point of no return." . . .

Last Chance for America? Part II   "After the results of "Super Tuesday," we find ourselves with front-runners in their respective parties who each could, as President of the United States, take the decline of America under the Obama administration, even further down, to a point of no return.

"As Secretary of State, Hillary Clinton was in charge of the foreign policy that destroyed governments in Egypt and Libya that were no threat to America's interests or allies, and plunged both countries into a turmoil from which only Egypt managed to rescue itself, while Libya has become another hotbed of terrorist activity.

"Yet Secretary Clinton is running on her "experience" -- even though it is an experience of unmitigated disasters for America, around the world. " . . .

"But politicians do not always do things that make sense for the country, whether in 15th century China or 21st century America. But we will know the answer to that question by the end of this month. And generations yet unborn may have to live with the consequences of that answer."

Cruz wins Kansas GOP caucuses, battles Trump in Ky., Maine

From Drudge At 8pm CST

KENTUCKY
TRUMP 42% CRUZ 30% RUBIO 13%
MAINE
CRUZ 43% TRUMP 37% KASICH 11%

AP  "WICHITA, Kan. (AP) — Ted Cruz claimed an easy victory in Kansas and battled with Donald Trump for Kentucky and Maine in Saturday's four-state round of Republican voting, fresh evidence that there's no quick end in sight to the fractious GOP race for president. Kansas Democrats gave Bernie Sanders a win, as voters in three states chose between the Vermont senator and Hillary Clinton." . . .
"The Texas senator defeated Trump by more than a 2-to-1 margin in Kansas, and early returns showed he and Trump were in tight races in Maine and Kentucky caucuses. Cruz, a tea party favorite, attributed his strong showing to conservatives coalescing behind his candidacy, calling it a "manifestation of a real shift in momentum.' " . . .

Politico:  Sanders beats Clinton in Kansas.
. .  . "Three states — and 109 delegates — are in play on Saturday, and the results could prove that Sanders is still in the game. Going into the weekend, Sanders was badly lagging Clinton in the delegate count, having secured 432 to her 1,066. It takes 2,383 to win the Democratic nomination." . . .

Sen. Sanders said the GOP debates sound like '6th-grade food fight'

Cruz and Trump Make BIG Gains On Super Saturday…Rubio, Not So Much  " '‘What it represents is Republicans saying it would be a disgrace for Trump to be our nominee and we’re going to stand behind the strongest candidate in the race.’"

Todd Starnes: Cruz rises to top as Rubio and Trump wallow in mud at GOP debate   "Thursday night's debate featured uncivil behavior from the Republicans -- sophomoric and crass -- bordering on obscene.

Sen. Marco Rubio behaved like a petulant child. Donald Trump flipped and flopped so many times that he flopped back to the positions he originally flipped on. 

"The only person on that stage who looked and sounded presidential and has a shot at getting elected -- was Sen. Ted Cruz.

"He stayed out of the locker room name-calling and focused on the issues.

"Senator Cruz understands the problems facing our great nation are no laughing matter." . . .

What about Kasich? He does have the most experience, if counterbalanced a bit by his being irritating to me.

Is this the end of the West as we know it?

. . . "Right now, we are two or three bad elections away from the end of NATO, the end of the European Union and maybe the end of the liberal world order as we know it."

Does this count the previous two bad Presidential elections just past?
Probably not, as this source is a pro-Obama one. 
At times like this it is well that we recall the hand of God on world history and know that whatever happens, for good or ill, the future is in His hands and that Israel will be at the center of it. TD
(This article posted in it's entirety as we feared it would soon be inaccessible.)  

Washington Post  

Back in the 1950s, when the institutions were still new and shaky, I’m sure many people feared the Western alliance might never take off. Perhaps in the 1970s, the era of the Red Brigades and Vietnam, many more feared that the West would not survive. But in my adult life, I cannot remember a moment as dramatic as this: Right now, we are two or three bad elections away from the end of NATO, the end of the European Union and maybe the end of the liberal world order as we know it.In the United States, we are faced with the real possibility of Republican Party presidential nominee Donald Trump, which means we have to take seriously the possibility of a President Trump. Hillary Clinton’s campaign might implode for any number of reasons, too obvious to rehash here; elections are funny things, and electorates are fickle. That means that next January we could have, in the White House, a man who is totally uninterested in what presidents Obama, Bush, Clinton, Reagan — as well as Johnson, Nixon and Truman — would all have called “our shared values.”
Not only is Trump uninterested in America’s alliances, he would be incapable of sustaining them. In practice, both military and economic unions require not the skills of a shady property magnate who “makes deals” but boring negotiations, unsatisfying compromises and, sometimes, the sacrifice of one’s own national preferences for the greater good. In an era when foreign policy debate has in most Western countries disappeared altogether, replaced by the reality TV of political entertainment, all of these things are much harder to explain and justify to a public that isn’t remotely interested.Trump has advocated torture, mass deportation, religious discrimination. He brags that he “would not care that much” whether Ukraine were admitted to NATO; he has no interest in NATO and its security guarantees. Of Europe, he has written that “their conflicts are not worth American lives. Pulling back from Europe would save this country millions of dollars annually.” In any case, he prefers the company of dictators to that of other democrats. “You can make deals with those people,” he said of Russia. “I would have a great relationship with [Vladimir] Putin.”
And Americans aren’t the only ones who find their alliances burdensome. A year from now, France also holds a presidential election. One of the front-runners, Marine Le Pen of the National Front, has promised to leave both NATO and the E.U. , to nationalize French companies and to restrict foreign investors. Like Trump, she foresees a special relationship with Russia, whose banks are funding her election campaign. French friends assure me that if she makes it to the final round, the center-left and center-right will band together, as they did two decades ago against her father. But elections are funny things, and electorates are fickle. What if Le Pen’s opponent suddenly falls victim to a scandal? What if another Islamic State attack jolts Paris?

Video added by TD 

Bad candidates and an unschooled electorate would be a terrible combination. TD

Anne Applebaum writes a biweekly foreign affairs column for The Washington Post. She is also the Director of the Global Transitions Program at the Legatum Institute in London. View Archive

"Trump's speaking in ways that men today still speak, when they're not hounded by the modern eclipse of feminism. . . "

Ann Althouse posts Rush Limbaugh

"Men speak this way to each other. They crack jokes this way to each other. It does not make them bad people. And I think there's a yearning for it among a whole segment of the population, women, men, they want this kind of gruff, fearless, tell-it-like-it-is persona. They don't think it's destructive. They don't think it says anything bad about the country. They don't think it says anything bad about the people who speak it. And it may be over the top, but the reason it's happening is because there have been so many invisible shackles put on people who are walking around on eggshells in this country for the last 30 years, afraid to be themselves, afraid to say what they really think, be who they really are, for fear they're gonna get fired, for fear that somebody's gonna lodge a complaint against 'em and be called before some tribunal to explain themselves, when there's nothing wrong with them. So here comes Trump...."

"Said Rush Limbaugh on his show yesterday."

How the GOP could stop Trump at the convention

The Hill

"Republicans might have one hope for defeating Donald Trump: denying him the 1,237 delegates he needs to clinch the nomination at the Republican National Convention in July.

"Party insiders who are deeply opposed to the businessman’s candidacy are looking at the plausibility of such a move, as he racks up victory after victory and the opposition to him remains divided among three candidates: Ted Cruz, Marco Rubio and John Kasich. 

"Such a gambit would be chaotic and controversial, however. It would likely also face one large hurdle that needs to be removed before the voting starts. 

"As things currently stand, only a candidate who has the backing of a majority of delegates from eight states can even make it onto the nominating ballot. 

"The easiest way to acquire such backing is to win eight primaries. But at present, Ted Cruz is four states shy of that mark, Marco Rubio has won only one contest and no other candidate, barring Trump, has won anything.  

"The eight-state rule would also plainly block the idea of some new candidate emerging at the convention — 2012 nominee Mitt Romney or Speaker Paul Ryan, for example — as a figure around whom Trump opponents could rally. " . . . 

Romney? The man we'd scream at on the TV because he was not capable of the emotion we felt at the Petulant President and his scorn for us? TD

Could they be these same people?