America Is the Best Place in History for Racial Minorities

What kind of lie must a person embrace to flee to a peaceful, prosperous country whose people treat him generously and beautifully and not think he is lucky to live there? Dennis Prager

Dennis Prager

"At the City College of New York in the late 1930s, my father, an Orthodox Jew, wrote his senior class thesis on anti-Semitism in America.

"He delineated common realities of the era, such as Jews’ admission to law firms, country clubs and colleges being denied or restricted, and various other manifestations of popular and institutional anti-Semitism.

"Yet he taught his two sons—my older brother and me—to believe that we, as Americans, were the luckiest Jews in Jewish history.

"With the obvious exception of Jews living in Israel, he was right. I can state this with some authority, having written a book on anti-Semitism and taught Jewish history at Brooklyn College.

"Despite the existence of anti-Semites and anti-Semitism in America, American Jews are indeed among the luckiest Jews in Jewish history. Even with the re-establishment of a Jewish state in the land of Israel, many more Israeli Jews have moved to America than American Jews have moved to Israel.

"This is not a reflection on Israel, which is a country with a high quality of life that is an unparalleled blessing in Jewish life; rather, it is a reflection on America and how good it is for Jews." . . .

Mike Pompeo Has What Rex Tillerson Didn't: 'Killer Graphics' and Trump's Trust

Time  "Not much is predictable about President Donald Trump’s White House. But around 11 a.m. on any given day, you would likely find CIA chief Mike Pompeo in the Oval Office, briefing the commander-in-chief. For 30 minutes or so, Pompeo would help Trump digest the country’s most closely held secrets about the world’s most pressing conflicts. He used “killer graphics” to keep Trump on point. He carved out time for general “knowledge building” on long-term strategy. He fielded Trump’s questions on any number of topics.

"In other words, long before Trump’s announcement Tuesday morning on Twitter that Pompeo is replacing Rex Tillerson as Secretary of State, Pompeo, a former congressman, was doing what Tillerson had not — bonding with the first American president never to have served either in politics or the military. When Trump and his advisers gather for their national security policy meetings in the Situation Room, Trump goes around the table. First, Pompeo offers Trump the CIA’s latest analysis on the issue at hand, says a senior administration official. Then, he waits. Inevitably, Trump returns to his top spy. “Mike,” the Trump asks, “what do you think I should do?” . . .

Behar Responds to Pence’s Call to Publicly Address Remarks Disparaging Christians: ‘I Sincerely Apologize’

Free Beacon

"The View" co-host Joy Behar publicly apologized Tuesday for her remarks that Vice President Mike Pence had a "mental illness" because of his Christian faith, saying she fell short of respecting all religions.

"Behar made the remarks in February after former White House aide Omarosa Marigault Newman disparaged Pence during a reality show appearance, mocking him for thinking Jesus spoke to him.

" 'Like I said before, it's one thing to talk to Jesus. It's another thing when Jesus talks to you," Behar said. "That's called mental illness, if I'm not correct. Hearing voices."

"She later said she was joking, but Pence said the remarks were "wrong" and it was later revealed by Disney CEO Bob Iger that she telephoned Pence to express contrition for her comments.

"Pence praised her for reaching out, but he told Fox News host Sean Hannity Monday he hoped she would make a public statement to the "tens of millions of Americans" who were offended by her comments.

" 'The View" played the clip of Pence at the outset of Tuesday's show, and Behar responded as Pence hoped.

" 'So I think Vice President Pence is right," Behar said. "I was raised to respect everyone's religious faith, and I fell short of that. I sincerely apologize for what I said.' " 

Oprah is waiting for God to tell her whether to run for the presidency
Oh, well, then, that's OK.

(Updated) Obama Arrests Navy Sailor for a few photos, Hillary’s tens of thousands of illegal emails ignored

Thank God for President Trump who sought justice for this man and publicly recognized the hypocrisy of Hillary Clinton’s numerous alleged felonies.

The Hayride

. . . "President Trump denounced the government’s handling of Saucier’s case, calling it “a political move that contrasted with the velvet-gloved response to former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton’s mismanagement of classified information through a private server.”

“ 'The president has pardoned Kristian Saucier, a Navy submariner,” White House Press Secretary Sarah Sanders said in a press briefing. “Mr. Saucier was 22 years old at the time of his offenses and has served out his 12-months sentence. He has been recognized by his fellow service members for his dedication, skill and patriotic spirit.”

“ 'While serving, he regularly mentored younger sailors and served as an instructor for new recruits. The sentencing judge found that Mr. Saucier’s offense stands in contrast to his commendable military service. The president is appreciative of Mr. Saucier’s service to the country.' ” . . .

Now Private Manning is a whole nuther story:

April 15, 2014: Bradley Manning named honorary grand marshal of San Francisco Pride parade

Bradley Manning's Sentence Fits the Crime  . . . This is not to say that Manning didn't have legitimate grievances in life. Though most notorious criminals throughout history have too.
"But to "get even" with everyone who may have slighted him by stealing some 700,000 diplomatic cables, military reports and combat videos and sharing them with our adversaries is the epitome of treachery.
"While on balance, the treasure trove showed the U.S. as an honest broker advancing freedom and democracy, some material was taken out of context and used for enemy propaganda. The so-called "Collateral Murder" video is case in point. From afar, it's easy to condemn the Apache helicopter crew over Baghdad as they killed two Reuters crew carrying camera sticks resembling a rocket launcher, though this omits the fact that rocket-propelled grenades had been fired at friendly forces in the vicinity.
"Yet that's just that type of distortion, one designed to wound U.S. legitimacy that Manning sought and achieved. His guilty verdict in most of the 21 charges against him and resulting potential 138 years in prison, fits the crime."

UPDATE:  Pardoned Sailor Kristian Saucier Says Obama DOJ Used Him As A Hillary ‘Scapegoat’
. . . “ 'It was a clear attempt by the Department of Justice under President Obama to use me as a scapegoat to take the heat off of Hillary Clinton for mishandling classified information,” he added." . . .
I tend to doubt that because this case has instead magnified Hillary's issues. TD

Hillary and 'What Happened' in India

Jeannie DeAngelis

Thinking back on one of her more ignorant comments, the only explanation for such an awkward misstep is that the ghost of activist Mahatma Gandhi, the guy she once joked ran a gas station in St. Louis, Missouri, shoved her from behind.

. . . "How is Hillary's opinion that white women should have voted for her merely because they're white and women any less sexist and racist than the belief that domineering white males control white females?

"Either way, according to Hillary Clinton, it's subservient white women who are responsible for her not having the opportunity to slip and fall down the Grand Staircase in the White House!

. . . 

. . . "Aroon Purie probed the matronly seer by bringing up Trump and Russian collusion.  Purie asked, "Do they have something on him?"  Clinton, whom they have lots on, and who has a trail of money behind her that reaches to India and back, replied: "Follow the money."

"Speaking of "following the money," Hillary "Uranium One" Clinton amused the audience when she expressed the opinion  that "Trump [has] quite an affinity for dictators."  Hillary said, "He really likes their authoritarian posturing and behavior.  He does have a preexisting attitude of favorability toward these dictators, but I think it's more than that with Putin and Russia."

"Then, two days after saying the United States does not "deserve" the presidency of Donald Trump, indefatigable Hillary, looking a lot like Trump-critic and U.S. skier Lindsey Vonn, wound down her "What Happened" tour of India by sliding down a flight of stairs." . . . Much more at the link.

Hillary ’08 Campaign Manager: Her Latest “Deplorables” Comments Were Pretty Bad, Huh  "A stinging comment about the latest Clinton trainwreck from lefty Matt Stoller after Conor Lamb’s apparent victory last night:" . . .

Even some of Clinton’s own former aides and surrogates say the former Democratic presidential nominee should back away from the discussion about her failed campaign because it’s harmful to the party…
“She put herself in a position where [Democrats] from states that Trump won will have to distance themselves from her even more,” said one former senior Clinton aide. “That’s a lot of states.”…
“She’s annoying me. She’s annoying everyone, as far as I can tell,” said one 2016 Clinton surrogate. “Who lets her say these things?” . . .

UPDATE: Hillary Clinton Injures Hand in Fall During India Visit, Cancels Scheduled Events – Doctors Advise Her to Rest

. . . She was staying at the Umaid Bhawan Palace here and a team of doctors from a private hospital nearby was sent there to examine her.The doctors said the Democratic Party candidate in the 2016 US presidential polls had a sprain in her hand and was given required treatment. They advised her rest.

Lady Lex: A brief reminder of how great America is

Lady Lex, late 1930s-early 40s

Below: Lex at the Battle of the Coral Sea:

Peter Skurkiss  "Earlier this month, the research vessel (R.V.) Petrel of Microsoft co-founder Paul Allen located and filmed the wreckage of the American aircraft carrier USS Lexington, also affectionately known as Lady Lex.

"This is both a historic and a technical event.  Lady Lex was sunk in the Battle of the Coral Sea on May 8, 1942, a dark time in WWII, nearly a month before the tide-turning Battle of Midway.  The Lady went down about 500 miles off the northeastern coast of Australia and took over 200 U.S. sailors with her.  She rests about two miles deep in the ocean.  The tears have long dried for those lost, but this locating of the wreckage gives us the opportunity to again remember the service and sacrifice of those men.   

"There is no need to rehash the Battle of the Coral Sea; there are multiple sources for that.  What should be noted is that this achievement of Paul Allen shows what is possible when the technical prowess of America is coupled with free-market initiative.  Finding Lady Lex is an example of both.  But it pales in significance to things like the fracking oil and gas revolution and the emergence of private space launching companies like Elon Musk's SpaceX, which is planning to send a space vehicle to Mars by 2020." . . .

(The 1944 film, "The Fighting Lady" was filmed aboard Lady Lex's sister ship, the USS Yorktown)

Federal Budget in Pictures

"Now, more than ever it’s critical that we understand the nation’s spending, taxes and debt."

Heritage Two of many graphs.

Take the budget quiz:

• What is the root cause of growing federal deficits and debt?
• Which federal programs spend the most money per year?
• What is the share of the public debt for every American in 2017?
• Who pays how much of the federal tax burden?

Nearing retirement? Not good:

PragerU: Dear Celebrities, No One Cares What You Think

Legal Insurrection  "Celebrities have misconstrued the public’s appreciation for their talent for the public’s willingness to be lectured about politics and rightness.

"PragerU has a message for celebrities that should help clear up any confusion here:

We adulate celebrities so much, it’s no wonder they’re under the impression that we care about their political opinions. The truth is, we don’t. In this video, Candace Owens, Director of Urban Development for Turning Point USA, lets unaware celebs in on the reality: no one cares what they think.

Trump’s CIA Director Pick Gina Haspel Will Likely Face Questions About Role in Torture

Obama and Eric Holder would have sought her prosecution after taking office.

Legal Insurrection

Haspel ran secret CIA prison in Thailand that used “enhanced” interrogation methods.

"President Donald Trump fired Secretary of State Rex Tillerson this morning and nominated CIA Director Mike Pompeo to take over that role. He also nominated CIA Deputy Director Gina Haspel to lead the spy agency.

"If confirmed, Haspel will become the first woman CIA director. However, she may face a rocky road to confirmation due to her role in torture sessions at a secret prison in Thailand.

"The Republicans have a one seat majority in the Senate. That incredibly slim lead may dissolve with Sen. Rand Paul (R-KY) who has always been one of the leading voices against these “enhanced” interrogation techniques the government has used." . . .

CNN will love this.

“Cultural Appropriation” May Have Finally Crashed And Burned

Hot Air  "You’re surely familiar with the “cultural appropriation” outrage running around liberal social media sites these days, right? It’s when one particular demographic group (and their inevitable supporters who take up every progressive cause on the planet) lays claim to an entire genre of performing arts and then chooses to scold anyone who isn’t “authentic” enough and dares to be creative in that field. And as I’m sure you already know, by “authentic” they refer to the color of your skin.

"Another episode of this annoying kvetching broke out this week. It wouldn’t have been worth a mention were it not for the target. Rather than going after yet another white artist, this time the forces of progressive fury fixed their sights on none other than Bruno Mars. Now, to be honest here, I wouldn’t even know the man’s name had he not played at the Super Bowl a while back, but I did hear him perform there and he’s got an impressive set of pipes. But, as it turns out, he’s singing the wrong kind of music."

"Here’s the episode of The Grapevine in question."

"Normally this would be the end of the story. After being appropriately shamed by his progressive betters, the artist would shuffle up to a microphone to deliver some sort of apology and then slink off stage, promising to try to do better. (Or at least that’s how it works if they are marketing their work to a largely liberal audience.)" . . .

Opinion Rex Tillerson: hapless, hopeless and tragic. Now his time is up

“There is strong sense of relief at State. The last year has been traumatic to put it mildly."

"That’s the other way in which State’s influence grew today. It’s not just a matter of Trump being more amenable to persuasion by Pompeo, it’s a matter of Pompeo potentially being more amenable to persuasion by career diplomats at the Department. "

The UK Guardian

“I told Rex Tillerson, our wonderful secretary of state, that he is wasting his time trying to negotiate with Little Rocket Man,” his wonderful boss tweeted in October. “Being nice to Rocket Man hasn’t worked in 25 years, why would it work now? Clinton failed, Bush failed, and Obama failed. I won’t fail.”

"Rex Tillerson was a part-time truth-teller. In one national security meeting, he had the piercing insight and honesty to call Donald Trump “a moron” – possibly an Anglo-Saxon kind of moron. Yet, like his boss, he lacked the self-awareness to know that the same critique applied to himself, as the moron’s secretary-of-state.

"There were clues along the way, many of them spotted by the man he so openly disdained. It was the moron-in-chief who challenged the moron-of-state to an open contest of intellectual power. “I think it’s fake news,” Trump told Forbes magazine, dismissing the moronic comments. “But if he did [say] that, I guess we’ll have to compare IQ tests. And I can tell you who is going to win.”

Trump fires Tillerson: president swings axe after series of policy clashes

 

Read more

"Genius. At some point, you just have to surrender to this kind of brainpower.

. . . 

"Sadly all those executive skills did not include the ability to retain or build a senior staff at the state department, where the exodus of experience and talent has been a diplomatic blowout. He refused briefings from senior staff and refused to talk to the press. He hollowed out the senior ranks with no rhyme or reason, leaving critical posts unfilled, while others simply quit or retired. Among them was the leading foreign service official on North Korea, who retired just two weeks ago.

"Tillerson’s tenure was so bad, it prompted some rare bipartisan agreement. “America’s diplomatic power is being weakened internally as complex global crises are growing externally,” warned John McCain and Jeanne Shaheen, the Republican and Democratic senators, in a letter to Tillerson late last year." . . .

Teacher and students beat Trump piñata in HS Spanish class … this is a US public school, folks

Liberals love to speak out against inciting violence, but seem to be okay with it as long as the violence is being incited against Republicans.

BPR  "Students and teachers in a Spanish class at Laguna Hills High School were allegedly filmed beating a piñata resembling President Trump during class time, prompting the school district to investigate, CBS 2 reports."

The video showed teachers and students taking turns hitting a yellow-haired, red tie-wearing piñata that featured a photograph of the president’s face. A representative of Saddleback Valley United School District told CBS 2 that the incident was investigated and “immediate action” was taken.