Trump’s tough talk on Hamas hostages delivers America’s righteous fury — at last

Rich Lowry;  NY Post   How can we be more deadly than the Israelis have been?

"The president-elect doesn’t like foreign conflict, but he bombed ISIS to smithereens as promised in the 2016 election and killed the top Iranian intelligence official, Qasem Soleimani, without hesitation in 2020."

"If they have any instinct for self-preservation, Iran and Hamas should be monitoring President-elect Donald Trump’s communications very closely these days. 

"A couple of weeks ago, there was the Truth Social post promising “ALL HELL TO PAY” if Hamas didn’t release its hostages by Trump’s inauguration on Jan. 20. 

“ 'Those responsible,” Trump noted, “will be hit harder than anybody has been hit in the long and storied History of the United States of America.”

"He followed up during a press conference Monday.

"When asked what he meant by his prior threat, Trump left it menacingly vague. “Well,” he said, referring to our adversaries, “they’re going to have to determine what that means, but it means it won’t be pleasant. It’s not going to be pleasant.” 

"What does that mean? Does Trump have something in particular in mind, or is he making it up as he goes along? . . .

"The famous line is that the Battle of Waterloo was won on the playing fields of Eton; in the same sense, every successful Trump negotiation as president has been won on the playing fields of Manhattan real estate, where Trump first learned his distinctive means of gaining leverage and psychological advantage. 

"His willingness to escalate and follow through means no threat can be completely discounted, while his sheer unpredictability adds to the difficulty of any foreign actor trying to calculate his next move.

"To the famous Machiavellian axiom, “It’s better to be feared than to be loved,” Trump adds the proviso, “and it’s best to keep them guessing, either way.”

"This couldn’t be in starker contrast to Joe Biden, who always fears escalation and is predictably conventional to the point of being sodden and dull." . . . 

Hanson: The evaporation of the Obama mystique

Victor Davis Hanson  Victor Davis Hanson critiques the decline of Barack Obama's influence, linking him to the Biden administration's failures and the Democratic Party's 2024 electoral losses, marking a shift in political dynamics.

But by the time Harris lost the election, voters had tuned out a nagging and patronizing Obama — and his stale, now-dated hope-and-changey boilerplate speeches.

"Former President Barack Obama had long been rumored as the catalyst for the 2020 Joe Biden nomination – and thereafter played the whispering puppeteer behind the subsequent lost Biden administration years.

"As such he and his coterie proved the virtual architects of the Biden administration, one of the most unpopular and failed presidencies in American history.

"Recall earlier that after a flailing candidate Biden lost the first three 2020 primaries and caucuses, his inert campaign was headed nowhere.

"Obama and fellow Democratic insiders abruptly engineered the withdrawal of his rival 2020 presidential candidates: hard left but likely sure-loser candidates, including Bernie Sanders, Elizabeth Warren, and Pete Buttigieg.

"The Obamas ignored or withheld from the public their own firsthand knowledge that Biden was suffering from signs of dementia.

"Instead, they found Biden's cognitive decline and his former concocted reputation as workingman's Joe useful as a veneer for a veritable Obama third-term, "phone it in" administration. Or as wistful Obama once conditioned his dream of a third term – "If I could make an arrangement where I had a stand-in, a front man or front woman, and they had an earpiece in."

"The Obamaites then got their wish for four years of enacted hard-left directives that they could only have dreamed of while in actual power." . . .

My Lord, the Lies; Dept of Education Update

The American Spectator  "Unsurprisingly, the legacy media has been striving to kneecap independent media outlets while peddling lies to the public."

That isn’t even an exhaustive list. Getting it to 100 items over the past, say, six years probably isn’t even very difficult. They have lied, and lied, and lied to us. And they expect us to simply lay down and accept it.

 "Monday afternoon, Melissa and I were casting about for ideas for segments on this week’s The Spectacle Podcast and she referenced a post on X cataloging the breathtaking number of complete falsehoods peddled by the legacy corporate media over the past several years. I’ll show it to you in just a moment, and I’ll even reproduce the list so you can see just how jaw-dropping the volume of fake narratives is that we’ve been subjected to. 

"But first, I want to point out that these same people were making nonstop accusations that the Right was full of “conspiracy theorists” and peddling “disinformation,” and to back those accusations they were engaging in activities designed to punish, if not eliminate, independent media sources who would attempt to check the false narratives they were peddling.

"And I’m not unjustly conflating the legacy corporate media with social media platforms. Many of the organizations in question were colluding with nonprofit organizations, some funded by our government, to demonetize independent media websites with accusations of “disinformation” and sic propaganda organizations like NewsGuard on journalists refusing to toe the ruling elite line.

"They did so as a means to freeze out the competition and stifle attempts to hold them accountable. It wasn’t even a secret at the time. (RELATED: Trump Humiliates His Media Enemies)

"So while attempting to kneecap any real competition for site traffic and/or subscription revenue, these same media organizations were engaged in trying to make Americans believe the following lies…"   Read the examples here.

"And as such there is very, very little community ownership and investment in trusted news organizations. News media organs like CNN and MSNBC are essentially loss leaders for entertainment media companies, and as such they’re not truly independent in their reporting."

UPDATE: CNN’s Acosta Urges Media Outlets to ‘Stand Firm’ Against Trump After ABC Defamation Settlement  "On Monday, during his hosting duties on CNN’s “Newsroom,” Jim Acosta called on media outlets to “stand firm” against President-elect Donald Trump’s efforts to use the legal system to hold the press accountable." . . .

Acosta, the CNN propagandist

Syrian ‘Prisoner’ CNN Helped Free Was Actually Infamous Assad Regime Torturer  Back in the day we were glued to CNN during the Gulf War. What happened?

"You CANNOT make this up. Not only was CNN’s Chief War Propagandist Clarissa Ward caught red-handed faking (AGAIN) the rescue of a fake prisoner in a fake prison in Syria, it turns out the man she “helped” was a top-level torturer for Assad. This is the same network that called Tulsi Gabbard an “Assad lackey” all because she opposed involving the U.S. in another forever regime change war in the Middle-East was in our best interest. So what do we call their employee Clarissa Ward who was chumming it up with an Assad torturer?"

'He's too ballless': Watch Megyn Kelly torch Stephanopoulos and ABC 'idiots' over $15 million blunder  

"Wow, this is what George Stephanopolous does. “Welcome to our show Nancy, now how do you justify your support of a rapist?” Good for Nancy Mace for refusing to allow him to get away with shaming her."

'He's a partisan hack. He started off as a partisan hack, and he remains one'

. . ." 'The irony of him going after a rape supporter in that way. 'How could you support a rape supporter? My God, the nerve to support a rape supporter, a rape committer.' After his years running the war room, tearing down Bill Clinton's assault accusers. I mean, it's just rich. So now the whole thing has cost him his reputation and his company $15 million," Kelly said."... 

George Stephanopoulos Deletes X Account After ABC News Settlement With President Trump  

"George Stephanopoulos can run but he can’t hide. ABC might end up deleting him after costing it $15 million dollars" Nelson De Caires

ABC UPDATE: BREAKING:ABC News Publishes False Information About Trump Education Nominee  . . ."In the first minute of an eight-minute overview, O’Brien stated that McMahon has no formal education training and little experience:

" 'If she receives Senate confirmation, McMahon, who has no formal teaching training and little experience in education, will be tasked with setting policies for the nation’s schools.”

"This is patently false. 

"While receiving a bachelor’s degree in French at East Carolina University in the late 1960s, McMahon earned a teaching certificate after completing a teacher preparation program at the school. This information has been available publicly for years, reported in outlets like The Washington Post and USA Today, was confirmed in a Hartford newspaper in 2011, and has been listed in official statements from East Carolina University." . . .

"In addition to her teaching certification from East Carolina University, McMahon served as a member of the Connecticut Board of Education and has served as a member of the Sacred Heart University board of trustees since 2004." Emphasis mine, TD 

"The trouble with our Liberal friends is not that they're ignorant; it's just that they know so much that isn't so." Ronald Reagan

 Who educated those pro-Hamas scarf people pulling down America's historical monuments and cheering for the murderous rapists from Gaza?

A Half Century of Miseducation  . . ."No, while the pandemic affected scores, Goldstein’s article notes that America’s mediocre scores have been stagnant since 1995. That’s thirty years ago. That’s over three, almost four complete cycles of elementary school students.

"Which means the problem is not just the pandemic. It’s the Department of Education.

"While “experts” debate “causes” and DoE bureaucrats wring hands about “alarming” results, the truth is that the almost half-century old DoE has almost nothing to show for its existence in terms of improving American students’ educational performance. Its advocates will identify tons of legislation that have poured millions of dollars into “standards,” but we all see the subminimal results of federally imposed ‘standards.” . . .

It’s not enough to dismantle the Department of Education   "President Trump proposes to dismantle the federal Department of Education and return education policy to the states. That will certainly be a good move, as the federal DOE has been a key promoter of the woke component of the education establishment, but this action will not of itself restore vitality to the institution of public education in our nation.

"Writes Michael Petrilli, president of the Thomas B. Fordham Institute, “Dismantling the Department of Education won’t make any measurable difference in educational outcomes... If you want real transformation, fight the elected school boards, defang the unions, and create alternatives to the ed schools.”

"We must understand that, operating at the state level, there are other promoters of wokeness in education. Every state has several such woke promoters, including (1) its own state DOE, (2) its own state teachers’ union, (3) its own colleges and universities with their own Departments and professors of Education, and (4) its own woke culture shared by its teachers and administrators." . . .

How The News Lies to You Every Day Yet You Never Notice

I live in a Canadian town where hundreds of Hallmark movies are filmed. Here's what it's like, fake snow and all

Soxse Times

"The Fernwood Inn is a staple in Victoria.

Simone Paget

"At the heart of Fernwood Square is the Fernwood Inn. The charming neighborhood pub serves local brews in an inviting, festive atmosphere reminiscent of a small-town inn.

"Unfortunately, the kind-eyed innkeeper with a heart of gold from half the Hallmark movie plots is not included — the pub looks like an inn but doesn't have rooms for rent.

Oak Bay Village is the perfect place to live out your Hallmark fantasies." . . .

. . ."The iconic, fairy-tale-like hotel is a holiday favorite for tourists and locals alike.

"The Empress is mainly known for its afternoon tea, but in the evenings, you can head to the veranda bar to roast s'mores over an open fire and sip on hot buttered rum.

My town's light displays are delightfully over the top."  Full article...

Everything We Know So Far About Christian School Shooting in WI

Of course she had a "manifesto". Don't they all?   Video

JUST IN: The Christian school shootėr is 15-year-old Natalie Lynn Rupnow, according to multiple reports

Part of the manifesto was posted by Rupnow prior to the shootıng, and it expresses radical feminist ideologies

“Every single male must be wiped out, from babies to the elderty. Only then will women be free to create a new world.” . . .

We may never know if she was taking a SSRI like Adderall or Ritalin, but 98% of shooters are on SSRI's. Every kid from Columbine, Parkland, Texas Church, Buffalo, Boulder, Uvalde, Nashville, El Paso, Vegas etc. were all taking at least one of these Big Pharma drugs....

JUST IN: The Christian school shootėr is 15-year-old Natalie Lynn Rupnow, according to multiple reports

Part of the manifesto was posted by Rupnow prior to the shootıng, and it expresses radical feminist ideologies

“Every single male must be wiped out, from babies to the elderty. Only then will women be free to create a new world.”

JUST IN: The Christian school shootėr is 15-year-old Natalie Lynn Rupnow, according to multiple reports

Part of the manifesto was posted by Rupnow prior to the shootıng, and it expresses radical feminist ideologies

“Every single male must be wiped out, from babies to the elderty. Only then will women be free to create a new world.”

@MrAndyNgo

Natalie Lynn Rupnow is the 15-year-old female student who carried out the mass shooting at Abundant Life Christian School in Madison, Wisc. A teacher and student were killed. Six others were wounded, two with life-threatening injuries. A purported "sneak peek" of her manifesto was posted on her Discord account, where she discussed a desire to kill all males in a rant inspired by fringe extremist online culture. A screenshot was posted on X by a person who was her Discord friend. The account also posted a mirror selfie photo of Rupnow. Rupnow has a long, disturbing online history of being obsessed with school shooters and death. She used the moniker "crossixir" online. Rupnow's Cash App account is a picture of the Columbine shooters. She had an account on "Watch People Die" where she commented on the videos. Her Spotify playlists featured themes of s—icide and killings.

Natalie Lynn Rupnow is the 15-year-old female student who carried out the mass shooting at Abundant Life Christian School in Madison, Wisc. A teacher and student were killed. Six others were wounded, two with life-threatening injuries.

A purported "sneak peek" of her manifesto… pic.twitter.com/1oEJRyvLrm

— Andy Ngo 🏳️‍🌈 (@MrAndyNgo) December 16, 2024

Her obituary:   Natalie Lynn Rupnow Madison WI Death, Obituary: Abundant Life Christian School mass shooter has died – Cherished Obituaries  "Natalie Lynn Rupnow Madison WI Death, Obituary:- The community of Madison, Wisconsin, and beyond is mourning the tragic and sudden passing of Natalie Lynn Rupnow, a former student of Abundant Life Christian School.

"Reports circulating have indicated that Natalie has died in connection with an incident where she was identified as the perpetrator of a mass shooting. The news of her death has shocked many, leaving family, friends, and the broader community grappling with grief, disbelief, and profound questions.

"Natalie Lynn Rupnow’s connection to Abundant Life Christian School has resurfaced following these events, painting a complex and difficult picture for those who knew her. As a former student, Natalie was remembered as someone who once walked the school halls and participated in various activities like countless others." . . . 

#Wisconsin #BreakingNews Natalie Lynn Rupnow is the female student who allegedly carried out the mass shooting at Abundant Life Christian School in Madison, Wisc. A teacher and student were killed. Six others were wounded, two with life-threatening injuries. #BREAKING

A teenage student opened fire at the Abundant Life Christian School in Madison, Wisconsin on Monday, killing a teacher and another teenage student in the final week before Christmas break. The shooter also died, police said.

Madison Police Chief Shon Barnes did not give details about the age or gender of the suspected shooter who also wounded six others at Abundant Life Christian School, a K-12 school with about 390 students. Of those wounded, Barnes said two of them were in critical condition with life-threatening injuries. The other four had non-life-threatening injuries, Barnes said.

Barnes said the suspected shooter was a student who likely died by suicide.

A law enforcement official who was not authorized to discuss the ongoing investigation told The Associated Press that the shooter was a 17-year-old female student.

Trump’s Media Haters Still Don’t Get It

Election Be Damned, Google’s Anti-Trump Bias Is Alive And Well   . . ."That’s why any time we challenge climate hysteria with facts, or dispute COVID dogma with facts, or talk about election fraud with facts, or criticize electric vehicles with facts, or bring facts to bear on any other item in the woke left’s canon, Google slaps one of those labels on it and strips its ads from those pages.

"All in the name of protecting the “democratic process.”

"This isn’t about shielding readers from obscene or violent content. It’s not about ensuring that companies won’t have their ads appear next to horrible stuff. It’s about starving conservative viewpoints of money. It’s about censorship by a monopolist, pure and simple." . . .

Trump Humiliates His Media Enemies 

. . ."Yet in the election aftermath, there appears to have been no reassessment of political priorities by these failing networks, which are now endeavoring to sabotage the presidency of the man who won the election by ignoring what he has long called the “fake news” media." . . .

. . ."If the Harris campaign has been completely discredited by its defeat, however, what about the credibility of those media organizations which promoted the Harris campaign’s message as if it were the gospel truth? CBS News certainly was not alone in hyping up hope for Harris, and the media’s barrage of partisan hype started long before Election Night. The self-evident unity of political purpose among “the Democrat-Media complex” (to employ the late Andrew Breitbart’s phrase) means that the defeat of Kamala Harris was also a defeat for the media.

“ 'Broadcast evening news coverage of the candidates was the most wildly imbalanced in history, favoring Democratic Vice President Kamala Harris over former Republican President Donald Trump by the greatest margin ever recorded,” Rich Noyes of the Media Research Center reported. “[C]overage of Harris … on ABC, CBS, and NBC was 78 percent positive vs. 22 percent negative. For Trump, those numbers were flipped: just 15 percent positive press, vs. 85 percent negative coverage.”

"That Trump won the election despite such lopsided bias in coverage by the major networks clearly demonstrates that a majority of American voters no longer trust the media when it comes to political coverage.

"What is most remarkable about all this is that liberal journalists — “Democratic operatives with bylines,” as Professor Glenn Reynolds calls them — seem to have learned nothing from the thorough beating they (and their candidate of choice) suffered in November. Much of the post-election analysis and commentary in the media has focused on campaign tactics and strategy, as though Harris could have won if she had done this or that differently. A typical example was a November 7 USA Today article by Francesca Chambers that recounted the Harris campaign’s choices at length — more than 3,500 words — and included this:" . . .  Full article...

Trump’s Media Haters Still Don’t Get It   . . ."Elections are about choices, and this isn’t a particularly difficult one. For all of Trump’s bluster, his first term was characterized by low inflation, energy independence, secure borders, a constrained China and Russia, and the Abraham Accords, which would have earned any president not named Trump a Nobel Peace Prize. The chaotic Biden years have been defined by high inflation, vaccine mandates, the disastrous Afghanistan withdrawal, the utter lack of accountability, a bizarre culture war, and the prospect of WWIII breaking out any day in the Middle East, Eastern Europe or possibly Asia.

"This isn’t lost on voters. The majority of Americans say they were better off four years ago than they are today. Of course they were. Jones and others in the media want me to focus on Trump’s loose and occasionally profane rhetoric. I prefer to focus on his policies and the relative normalcy of his first term." . . .

Hamas Official: ‘October 7 Ruined Us’

 Joel B. Pollak

"A senior official within the Palestinian terrorist organization Hamas admitted to a Saudi media outlet that the October 7 terror attack caused the destruction of the organization because of the ferocity of Israel’s response."

 . . ."Israel Hayom reported Sunday:

A senior Hamas official currently based in Turkey told Saudi media that the 37th anniversary of the terrorist organization’s founding comes during a period of decline due to defeats in Gaza and the broader region.

The official disclosed, “Hamas is suffering from a genuine leadership crisis. The Al-Aqsa Flood attack backfired on us, submerging us in a sea of blood and crises. The most recent blow was the fall of Bashar al-Assad’s regime in Syria, with which Hamas had been attempting to rebuild relations.”

According to a report by the Saudi news site Elaph, the Syrian government has ordered Palestinian terrorist groups to shut down their offices, hand over their weapons, dismantle training camps, and leave Syria as soon as possible. The primary Palestinian group active in Syria has been the Islamic Jihad. In contrast, Hamas’s political bureau left Syria earlier due to its support for Islamist rebels at the start of the Syrian civil war, which sparked a rift with Assad.

"Israel Hayom also cited reporting that Palestinian terrorists in Syria fled to Iran, but may leave for other countries due to the fear of assassination (Israel is suspected of having killed Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran in July.)

"There are also Hamas officials in Turkey, and some are in Qatar — including some who reportedly returned there at the urging of the incoming Trump administration, solely for the purpose of negotiating a hotage deal by January 20.

"The report that Hamas leaders are accepting that the October 7 terror attack was a strategic mistake is a reversal from past months, and suggests that Israel is succeeding in restoring a deterrent against its enemies.

"However, there are European nations who continue to reward Hamas, with Ireland the latest to join South Africa’s “genocide” case against Israel at the International Court of Justice. Ireland, Spain, and Norway also recognized a Palestinian state." . . .