Trump Isn’t Repeating Obama’s Middle East Mistakes

Jonathan S. Tobin

Contrary to mainstream-media reports, the new president is already taking a tougher stance on Iran and a friendlier stance toward Israel than his predecessor.

"By the end of his second week in office, President Donald Trump has discovered it is actually possible for him to do something that garners applause from the mainstream media. Though Democrats seem more interested in futile gestures of “resistance” to his government than in normal opposition, all Trump had to do to gain a modicum of respect from the New York Times and other denizens of the liberal echo chamber was to preserve rather than reject the policies of his predecessor. Or at least that was how the Times and the talking heads on CNN and MSNBC perceived the new administration’s statements about Israel, Iran, and Russia this week. In reality, the claim that, as the front-page headline in Friday’s Times put it, “Trump Reverts to Pillars of Obama Foreign Policy,” is actually dead wrong when applied to the Middle East." . . .

Iran holds military exercises in response to U.S. sanctions

WaPo  "Iran on Saturday began massive military exercises in a defiant response to a week of warnings from the Trump administration, including new sanctions, with a senior Iranian military commander calling the actions “futile” and threatening to “rain” missiles down on the country’s enemies. 

"The Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps, Iran’s most influential security institution, said it would test missile and radar systems as part of the drill, according to the state-run Islamic Republic News Agency. And a statement on the IRGC website said that the aim of the exercise was “to showcase the power of Iran’s revolution and to dismiss the sanctions,” Reuters reported. 

“ 'Should the enemy make a mistake, our roaring missiles will rain down on them,” IRGC Air Force commander, Gen. Amir Ali Hazjizadeh, told the semi-official Tasnim news agency." . . .

Iraq archbishop: Where were all those protesters while ISIS committed genocides?

Hot Air  "We’ve heard plenty of horror stories over the past few days about Donald Trump’s executive order pausing entries into the US for nationals of seven high-risk nations, many of which could have been avoided with a little more planning and coordination within the administration. What do others living in these countries think about Trump and his new policy, especially those who have been the targets of terrorism and genocide? Catholic Archbishop Bashar Warda of Irbil tells Crux that Iraqi refugees see it a lot differently than we do — and wonder where the protesters were in 2014:"

. . . From my perspective in Iraq, I wonder why all of these protesters were not protesting in the streets when ISIS came to kill Christians and Yazidis and other minority groups. They were not protesting when the tens of thousands of displaced Christians my archdiocese has cared for since 2014 received no financial assistance from the U.S. government or the U.N. There were no protests when Syrian Christians were only let in at a rate that was 20 times less than the percentage of their population in Syria.

I do not understand why some Americans are now upset that the many minority communities that faced a horrible genocide will finally get a degree of priority in some manner.

"That last part is aimed at Americans objecting to Trump’s plan to prioritize minority communities for expedited clearance — primarily Christians, but also Yazidis:" . . .

Conway: Media inciting mob violence

Rick Moran  "Somebody prominent on the left must call out the media and the "activists" who are getting close to actually inciting violence against President Trump and Republicans.

"Trump aide Kellyanne Conway told Sean Hannity yesterday that this "lack of respect" was inciting the mob in the street to commit violent acts, despite not even knowing what they were demonstrating against."

. . . 

Here's the sitting senator from Virginia, Tim Kaine, encouraging street protests against Trump:

Then, people coming out in protest of these orders. So, the way we get outside the bubble is we take advantage of this tremendous public outcry against the administration. What we've got to do is fight in Congress, fight in the courts, fight in the streets, fight online, fight at the ballot box, and now there's the momentum to be able to do this. And we're not afraid of the popular outcry, we're energized by it and that's going to help us do our job and do it better.

 Robert Reich's ridiculous rumor quote to a docile Don Lemon
You do remember CNN's Don Lemon and the "black hole" don't you?
. . . "Find me thousands of young, angry, black-clad violent conservatives in the Bay Area, and I'll eat my pussy hat from the Women's March we also orchestrated."

Berkeley riot: this is so 1930s again!

J'accuse!

Now we’re learning that this group of domestic terrorists was funded and bussed in by Communist and Hillary backer George Soros.

Look Who Funds The Group Behind The Call To Arms At Milo’s Berkeley Event  "The left-wing group that helped organize the violent shut down of the Milo Yiannopoulos event at the University of California, Berkeley on Wednesday is backed by a progressive charity that is in turn funded by George Soros, the city of Tucson, a major labor union and several large companies."

Andrew J. McCarthy: Prosecute the Rioters

. . . "it is standard operating procedure among the most influential, most allegedly mainstream Democratic politicians to rationalize rioting as mere “protest.” In their alternative reality, violence in the name of sedition is “free speech” — a passionate expression of political dissent — while the actual political speech they so savagely suppress is the atrocity."

"There is no mystery about how we got to this dark place. Violent rampaging was the coming-of-age rite of the New Left. That would be the Sixties Left that eventually won the battle for control of the Democratic party and, in its extremism, has estranged that party from its traditional working-class base, and thus from much of the country. " . . .

The rioters found fertile rioting soil in California:  California Politicians Ignore Berkeley Riot Violence In Tweets; Blast Trump Instead

. . . "Most of the California electorate was silent on the matter, including Republicans. Gov. Jerry Brown, state Attorney General Xavier Becerra and U.S. Sens. Dianne Feinstein and Kamala Harris. Feinstein did have time to tweet kudos to the Affordable Care Act and Harris tweeted support for refugees entering the U.S."

Legal Insurrection found nothing from "national leader" Kamala Harris  . . . "After this massive disturbance, I was curious what our leading California politicians would have to say in regard to the rioting. While Senator Kamala Harris loved being part of the #WomensMarch, there was no statement on her thoughts about conservatives being denied their free speech rights. I couldn’t locate formal statements from Governor Jerry Brown or Senator Dianne Feinstein decrying the violence, either." . . .
Bear in mind, Harris supports radical causes including cop-killing Black Lives Matter

Hollywood Director Tweets Threat To Trump Supporters After Berkeley Riot

 This is not the first time this week a prominent Hollywood figure has championed violence against political opponents.

Notice the Soviet flag:

Most ironic sign: "freedom of speech"!

Berkeley riots, in photos, from Zombietime  . . . "Such images, taken without the filter of a toadying media, serve as a historic record to show the left as it really is.  They also illustrate Glenn Reynolds's arch-analysis – to wit: want More Trump?  This is how you get More Trump."

A Love of Hate: The Addiction of the New American Left
"Leftists are outraged all the time because they love being outraged." 

God Bless Harry Reid

"The need for 60 votes can contribute to moderation and compromise because to achieve a supermajority you need to get a buy-in from at least some of the opposition. On the other hand, in a hyper-partisan atmosphere (like today’s), a 60-vote threshold can ensure that everything gets stopped and nothing gets done."

Charles Krauthammer

Senate Democrats have Reid to thank for being powerless to block Gorsuch’s nomination.

. . . "God bless Harry Reid. It’s because of him that Gorsuch is guaranteed elevation to the Court. In 2013, as then–Senate majority leader, Reid blew up the joint. He abolished the filibuster for federal appointments both executive (such as cabinet) and judicial, for all district- and circuit-court judgeships (excluding only the Supreme Court). Thus unencumbered, the Democratic-controlled Senate packed the lower courts with Obama nominees.

"Reid was warned that the day would come when Republicans would be in the majority and would exploit the new rules to equal and opposite effect. That day is here. 

"The result is striking. Trump’s cabinet appointments are essentially unstoppable because Republicans need only 51 votes and they have 52. They have no need to reach 60, the number required to overcome a filibuster. Democrats are powerless to stop anyone on their own." . . .

#BoycottNordstrom Swings From Left To Right After Ivanka Trump Drop

IBD

"Nordstrom (JWN) has decided to stop selling Ivanka Trump's line of merchandise, which means the #BoycottNordstrom hashtag has a very different audience on Twitter as of Friday than it did just days earlier.

"Nordstrom shares rose 2.2% to 44.48 in the stock market today, trying to break a downtrend going back to early December.

"Fashion news site Racked.com first reported Thursday the decline of Ivanka Trump-branded items available for sale at the upscale department store, citing figures from the Grab Your Wallet campaign — there are now just four styles of shoe cataloged on the site, vs. 71 products available as of early December. Reports from Bloomberg and elsewhere later confirmed that Nordstrom had dropped the brand.

"Grab Your Wallet has been vocal in trying to get shoppers to boycott stores that carry Trump-affiliated merchandise. The list includes Macy's (M), Amazon (AMZN), TJX (TJX)-owned T.J. Maxxand others.

"Via statements to outlets and on its own Twitter page, Nordstrom has said that the decision was not about politics but about business." . . .

Weekly Standard’s O’Connor: Maddow Should Escort Milo Onto Campus

Legal Insurrection

"By their silence, Dems are being associated with violence on campus"

 "Note: the segment began with a report that there was violence last night at NYU, with people protesting against a speech by Vice co-founder Gavin McInnes. He was pepper-sprayed while entering the hall, and several demonstrators were arrested."

Barack Obama should be speaking out against the protests any time now. Very soon, I'm sure.

Obama Refuses to Condemn Anti-Trump Riots, Violence Against Trump Supporters
. . . “ 'I would not advise people who feel strongly or are concerned about some of the issues that have been raised over the course of the campaign, I would not advise them to be silent,” he said Thursday." . . .

Obama's mentoring by Rev Wright, Bill Ayers and Frank Marshall Davis is becoming ever more manifest.

The shame of Berkeley and the left

In truth, I heard on the Fox Special Report panel that Ms. Napolitano and the campus police did require due diligence and provide for security at Milo's lecture. The prepared-for student demonstrators were joined by paid rioters dressed in black. As of the last report I heard, one arrest - one - was made. More should be disclosed as this post evolves. TD

Deranged Millenials, Academicians, and Hollywood crap shooters
"In the two weeks since the inauguration of our 45th president, we have seen the world erupt into predictable chaos.  Anarchy has been fomented by the growing underworld of arrogant progressives who believe they are the most intelligent beings on the planet.  Some say this effort is orchestrated by a billionaire who lives for just one thing: to tear down the fabric of our society, destroy our Constitution, and remove the collective freedoms we have all come to enjoy.  His methods revolve around inciting fear in women and minorities who fail to realize that their freedoms in America are unprecedented and available nowhere else on Earth.  The endgame is to install a globalist-dominated one-world order and destroy the American two-party system." . . .

"Eventually, you will wish you had taken more time to study and analyze the malignant undercurrent of which you are now a part.  Will it be too late?  Will you ultimately regret the day you fell for the chicanery?  Wake up!  Study before you act.  Contemplate before you speak, and for the love of God, stop before you destroy yourselves and everyone you value."

Berkeley’s Shame

The use of violence in the pursuit of political aims is the very definition of terrorism. And while it probably would be too much to treat these half-baked campus radicals with the seriousness applied to al-Qaeda or the Islamic State, the crimes committed in this and related episodes are serious and demand to be treated seriously. Political violence has social implications far beyond those of ordinary crime — we are not talking here about local thugs knocking over a 7-Eleven in Oakland.

. . . "Despite blindingly obvious evidence of criminality during Wednesday’s riots, only one person — one — was arrested. Lawbreakers should be prosecuted, and if they’re students, expelled. Likewise, a Twitter account representing Occupy Oakland declared that the group’s intention is to make “war” — their word — not only on Kentish political commentators but also on the U.S. government, and though it does them too much credit, the U.S. government should do them the courtesy of taking them at their word. If that means a federal terrorism investigation, so be it (though it would be better if the authorities in California would do their job and take the lead in this matter)."

The left throws a tantrum

We are seeing the viciousness of the left and must earnestly pray for America and President Trump. Unless, of course, we are seeing this nation set aside by He Who Decides the History of Nations and their role in this world.  TD

Sarah Silverman calls for military coup against "fascist" Trump

. . . "Ionesco drove irony to sublimely ridiculous lengths. For leftists today, that's not much of a reach. They spend several decades trashing the Constitution and then claim Trump is violating constitutional principles. They spend even longer  trashing American values and then claim Trump is destroying American values. Irony escapes them because their ability for reflection and self-criticism is non existent. They are oblvious to their own stupidity.

"Thankfully, the military will ignore Sliverman's encouragement and do their duty according to the oath they swore when they enlisted. That has a far more powerful hold on them than some loony lefty's fantasy about a coup that isn't even worthy of a bad movie script."

Berkeley riots put campus fascism on Trump’s agenda
. . . "Berkeley and its university are worldwide symbols of the leftist takeover and corruption of academia.  Few people realize that until 1964, when the Free Speech Movement at Berkeley signaled the start of the leftist assault on academia, Berkeley had been governed by Republicans for many years.  The influx of thousands of leftists from all over the nation is what changed the city into a stronghold and symbol of the left.

"The president of the University of California is none other than Janet Napolitano, the former head of Homeland Security, someone who ought to know about keeping order and preventing riots, but let her university fail.  It is not as if the intentions of the rioters were any secret."

It’s Escalating: Defiance and Calls for Violence among Democrats

Will Democrats’ actions lead to widening civil unrest? Will they do damage to the compact among our states that make our nation a nation? Only time will tell. 

 

American Thinker  "From New York to California, to a Screen Actors Guild ceremony, Democrats are stepping up their calls to defy President Trump’s executive actions to close the nation’s porous borders and make America safer from terrorists. Making America safer is exactly what they’re opposing, blubbery words about compassion and inclusion aside. Actor David Harbour has even called for assault. Will a call to arms be next? For Democrats and the left (one in the same), peace and love have gone the way of tie-dyed shirts and bellbottoms.

"In the immediate wake of Trump’s inauguration, violence erupted. Leftists angered that Trump was president took to the streets, hurling rocks and employing David Harbour’s method of catharsis.

"On the heels of the protest violence, came the Million Gals March. Intimations of violence were elevated as celebs -- Madonna and Ashley Judd, notably -- spewed vitriol to a national audience. Madonna’s dream about blowing up the White House (with the president in it, doubtless) was swept away by the MSM as hyperbole. Yet a worldly 58-year-old diva shouldn’t be lightly dismissed as a complete idiot. Madonna knows plenty about audiences and followings. Her words act as cues." . . .

Senator Finds Hilarious Proof Liberals Were Ready To Protest Any Trump SCOTUS Nominee

Weasel Zippers

"He could have nominated Jesus and they would have protested him. In fact, had he nominated Jesus, they would have protested him more. His religiosity would have been an impediment…  "Via Daily Caller:

Nebraska Sen. Ben Sasse found evidence that liberal protesters at the Supreme Court Tuesday were ready to protest any nominee put forward by President Donald Trump.

Trump nominated Judge Neil Gorsuch to be a Supreme Court associate justice.

Sasse found signs that read “Stop,” with Gorsuch’s name written in marker.

“Went to the Supreme Court to talk to the protesters. But it turns out to be a Mad-Lib protest. #Fill-In-The-Blank,” the senator tweeted with a picture reading, “Stop Gorsuch.” The sign, however, only had the word “Stop” printed on it, with “Gorsuch” added after his name was announced in marker.

Sasse then tweeted, “By the way, protestors- Among those who were in the Senate when Gorsuch was last unanimously confirmed: *Obama *Biden *Clinton & *Schumer.”

Democrats Wholeheartedly Backed Gorsuch in 2006

. . . "After President Trump on Tuesday night nominated conservative judge Neil Grouch to the Supreme Court, Pence tweeted: “Here is the Video of 2006 were 45 Democrats Helped Unanimously Confirm #NeilGorsuch (incl. @SenSchumer, and Obama).”

"Who know[s] who else voted for the then-nominee to be a judge on the 10th U.S. Court of Appeals? Sen. Joe Biden, Sen. Hillary Clinton, Sen. John Kerry, Sen. Chuck Schumer, Sen. Diane Feinstein, Sen. Patrick Leahy. The vote was such a non-issue the Senate did the deed by voice vote, and there are no known senators who opposed the nomination by President George W. Bush." . . .