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SEPTEMBER 23,  2016

SHORT TAKES ON THE DRIFTING WRECKAGE – AT 11:55 P.M. ET:

OUTRAGEOUS – FROM THE HILL:   Hillary Clinton's Democratic presidential campaign implored debate moderator Lester Holt to hold Donald Trump accountable for untrue statements during Monday's debate, sending reporters 18 pages of debunked claims by the Republican nominee to tar him as a liar.  "Donald Trump has shown a clear pattern of repeating provably false lies hoping nobody will correct him," said Jennifer Palmieri, Clinton's communications director, during a call with reporters on Friday.  "This warrants a particular focus because his level of lying is unprecedented in American politics. He repeatedly and unabashedly fails to tell the truth to voters."  She then called on Holt to pay close attention to Trump's claims during Monday night's debate in New York and not be afraid to push back, arguing that Clinton can't be the only one doing so.  Are they actually suggesting that the moderators take on an active anti-Trump role?  Really?  They'll probably do it anyway, considering who they are, but the suggestion itself is more than nervy.  Besides, people speaking for Hillary Clinton might be better off staying away from the subject of truth. 

PROTECTION – FROM FOX:   Hillary Clinton’s former chief of staff Cheryl Mills and two other staffers were granted immunity as part of the now-closed FBI probe into the former secretary of state’s email practices, according to a top House Republican who questioned whether the numerous deals hindered the bureau’s ability to build a case.  "This is beyond explanation,” House oversight committee Chairman Jason Chaffetz, R-Utah, said in a statement Friday. “The FBI was handing out immunity agreements like candy. I've lost confidence in this investigation and I question the genuine effort in which it was carried out.”  The arrangements detailed by Chaffetz bring the total number of publicly known immunity deals in the Clinton case to five.  Incredible.  The Clintons corrupt everything they touch.  The FBI is being badly hurt by the impression given that special privileges were granted to the Clinton crowd.  Some members of Congress are openly saying that they've lost some respect for the Bureau.

OUTRAGEOUS – FROM FOX:   Instead of parsing participles, a public high school English teacher has been using her classroom to wage an ugly propaganda campaign against Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump and his supporters.  “Basically, the only people who seem to be safe from this guy are white Christian males,” the teacher said in a classroom discussion recorded by a student. “Am I missing anything? Oh, American – white, Christian, male Americans.”  The unidentified teacher at North Carolina’s Cedar Ridge High School even made students watch speeches delivered by Hitler and had them compare them to speeches that Trump had delivered, outraged parents tell me.  I've seen reports of things like this happening in other schools as well.  The left is in control, and apparently parents have little influence in their "public" schools.

September 23,  2016     Permalink

IS THIS GOOD FOR AMERICA? – AT 11:20 A.M. ET:  China is buying into American movies.  From AFP:   

Beijing (AFP) - Chinese conglomerate Wanda announced plans Friday to invest in movies produced by Sony Pictures under an agreement that moves the company closer to its goal of becoming a major Hollywood player.

Owned by one of the country's richest men, billionaire Wang Jianlin, Wanda is seeking to shift its focus from property to services and entertainment as profits wane in China's real estate sector.

The movie deal, Wanda's first with one of Hollywood's so-called "Big Six" studios, is a major milestone for the conglomerate as it attempts to transform itself into a heavy-hitter in the global entertainment industry.

"The alliance will help strengthen Wanda's power to influence the global film industry, and set a good precedent for Chinese film producers in their international investment," the company said in a statement.

The company added that it would "strive to highlight the China element in the films in which it invests," but did not provide further details.

That's a chilling thought.

Wanda has expanded aggressively overseas, snapping up a string of assets in Europe and the United States in recent years.

In January, the company acquired US production company Legendary Entertainment for $3.5 billion. Wanda's founder Wang also financed the movie "Spotlight" which won the Oscar for best picture this year.

The company has also pursued numerous deals in the international sports arena, including the acquisition of the Iron Man triathlon, but Wang has made it clear he has his sights set on Hollywood.

"He has the whole Hollywood in his mind. Maybe his next step is to work hand-in-hand with all the Big Six," Friday's statement said.

In July, Wanda was reportedly in talks to buy a stake in another "Big Six" US film studio Paramount Pictures.

COMMENT:  Remember when it used to be an American industry?  A pro-American industry?  This kind of power by an industrialist in a hostile nation worries me.  Hollywood is hardly known for courage, and I'm concerned about the possibility of a glorious film biography of Mao.  Young people are watching.

September 23, 2016       Permalink

HILLARY'S SILENCE – AT 10:14 A.M. ET:  If I recall correctly, there's been rioting in Charlotte.  Most Americans have noticed.  One American has not.  From Daily Caller: 

Democratic nominee Hillary Clinton condemned the police shooting of Charlotte resident Keith Lamont Scott, but has yet to comment on the rioting which spread violence throughout the North Carolina city on Tuesday and Wednesday.

A state of emergency has been declared in Charlotte and the National Guard has been deployed after a second night of rioting. Multiple businesses were looted and people were assaulted on Wednesday as rioters upset about Scott’s death poured into downtown Charlotte.

In response to the riot, Trump said at an event, “There is no compassion in tolerating lawless conduct. Crime and violence is an attack on the poor and will never be accepted in a Trump administration, never, ever.”

“The first duty of government is to protect [citizens’] well-being and safety. We have to do that,” Trump added. Besides Trump, Attorney General Loretta Lynch also condemned the rioting during a press conference Wednesday.

On Wednesday, before the night’s violence, Hillary said on Twitter, “Keith Lamont Scott. Terence Crutcher. Too many others. This has got to end.”

She continued on to say, “We have two names to add to a long list of African Americans killed by police officers. It’s unbearable, and it needs to become intolerable.”

Nothing like pre-judging a case.  Did she actually graduate from law school?

But since the Wednesday riot, there’s been radio silence from the Clinton campaign. There have been no comments from her or any of her spokesmen on the violence that ravaged Charlotte.

On Tuesday, Hillary appeared on the Steve Harvey show and urged white Americans to combat “systemic racism.”

“And so maybe I can, by speaking directly to white people, say, look, this is not who we are,” Clinton added.

COMMENT:  Hillary is under the clear influence of the Black Lives Matter movement, and that should worry us sick.  It's a radical, hard-left gang. 

Clinton's refusal to condemn lawlessness and violence is reason enough to deny her the presidency.  The president's first responsibility is to preserve, protect and defend the Constitution, which means the rule of law. 

September 23, 2016         Permalink

HILLARY'S BRAIN – AT 9:51 A.M. ET:  There's renewed concern about Hillary's health, based on some disturbing new video.  From London's Express:

HILLARY Clinton faced growing calls to take a brain test after footage revealed her eyes swiveling in different directions during a campaign speech.

The Democratic nominee has faced demands from both doctors and reporters to take a neurological test to prove she is fit enough for the presidency.

The disturbing new footage has sparked fresh allegations about Mrs Clinton's health.

During a speech in Philadephia earlier this week, the Democrat nominee's eyes suddenly appeared to be working out of sync.

Critics believe the bizarre cross-eyed moment is strong evidence of a hidden neurological issue.

In Monday's speech, footage caught her eyes darting quickly from side to side.

She then later cancelled a fundraising event the following evening, prompting more concern about the presidential candidate's brain health.

Hillary Clinton’s health has quickly become the unwelcome focus of her presidential campaign.

Many have questioned whether the candidate is healthy enough to serve as president.

Mrs Clinton suffered a serious concussion in 2012, after which blood clots were found in her brain.

Her doctor said that following the concussion, she suffered from double vision and headaches.

Since then, speculation had continued to get worse as the candidate began suffering from a series of coughing fits.

She was then forced to leave a 9/11 memorial service this month, before nearly collapsing as she attempted to enter her vehicle.

COMMENT:  I have no medical training and thus make no judgment about Clinton's condition.  However, it does seem to me that Trump can challenge her to take a complete physical examination, including neurological tests, and of course he would do the same.

There should be no questions about a presidential candidate's current readiness to serve.  There are plenty of questions about Hillary Clinton, and each week seems to provide a new episode to give those questions increased urgency,

September 23,  2016     Permalink

SEPTEMBER 22,  2016

SHORT TAKES ON THE DRIFTING WRECKAGE – AT 11:55 P.M. ET: 

ANY INTEREST AT CNN? – FROM FOX:   New shocking images from Venezuela reveal the extent of the country's austerity: lacking cribs, newborn babies are placed in cardboard boxes.  The photos were taken at the Domingo Guzman Lander hospital in Barcelona, in the north-eastern state of Anzoategui, and leaked by a doctor who asked to remained anonymous to avoid possible retributions. The doctor reached out to an opposition lawmaker, Manuel Ferreira, who posted them on his Twitter account for the world to see.  "The babies spent all night in the cardboard boxes until the pictures were made public,” Congressman Manuel Ferreira told Fox News Latino on Thursday morning. “After that they discharged the babies to avoid further exposure."   Remember when movie stars like Sean Penn and Danny Glover would rush down to Venezuela to grovel before Hugo Chavez?  Haven't seen those chaps recently.

TULSA COP CHARGED – FROM ABC LOCAL:   TULSA, Okla. -- Prosecutors charged a white Oklahoma police officer with first-degree manslaughter Thursday, less than a week after she killed an unarmed black man on a city street and just days after police released graphic videos, saying in court documents the officer "reacted unreasonably."  Tulsa officer Betty Shelby fatally shot 40-year-old Terence Crutcher on Sept. 16.  The affidavit filed with the charge says Shelby "reacted unreasonably by escalating the situation from a confrontation with Mr. Crutcher, who was not responding to verbal commands and was walking away from her with his hands held up, becoming emotionally involved to the point that she over reacted."  I don't know.  The investigation lasts less than a week?  This looks like another rush to judgment, as in Baltimore, where six officers were charged in the death of Freddie Gray.  All six were exonerated.    This incident may well be the result of poor training rather than a criminal act on the part of a cop. 

I LOVE IT – FROM THE COLLEGE FIX:   Following CNN contributor Sally Kohn’s comments that advocacy for free speech is “really just an excuse for attacking multiculturalism and other progressive attitudes,” the University of Michigan had planned a debate between her and conservative provocateur Milo Yiannopoulos.  But, according to Breitbart.com, UM had to cancel the event — because the ardent progressive Kohn’s fees were just too high:  According to emails seen by Breitbart, Kohn initially quoted a fee of $11,000, “plus incidentals, travel, lodging, etc”, but later reduced and then finally dropped the fee upon discovering that Yiannopoulos doesn’t charge for speaking events at colleges.  Kohn did however stipulate that in exchange for dropping her fee, she must be allowed to interview Milo for her new book. Still, Kohn’s travel and accommodation bills were too high for students to accommodate and as a result, the event has been cancelled. Milo is however touring college campuses across the country.  The bottom line is still the bottom line, even among "progressives."

September 22,  2016     Permalink

NEWEST POLLING – AT 8:50 A.M. ET:  Just in this morning from Rasmussen: 

With the first presidential debate coming on Monday, Donald Trump has moved to a five-point lead over Hillary Clinton, his biggest advantage since mid-July.

The latest Rasmussen Reports weekly White House Watch telephone and online survey finds Trump with 44% support among Likely U.S. Voters to Clinton’s 39%. Libertarian candidate Gary Johnson earns eight percent (8%) of the vote, while Green Party nominee Jill Stein holds steady at two percent (2%). Three percent (3%) like some other candidate, and five percent (5%) are still undecided. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

Last week, the Republican nominee edged ahead of his Democratic rival 42% to 40% after trailing her by four points the week before. Trump’s total this week ties his highest ever level of support from two months ago.

Trump (76%) and Clinton (75%) earn comparable support from voters in their own party. Fourteen percent (14%) of Democrats prefer Trump, while 10% of Republicans join former President George H.W. Bush in supporting Clinton. But Trump has a commanding 45% to 27% lead this week among voters not affiliated with either major political party.

COMMENT:  It's that last number that's intriguing.  We stress that this is only one poll, and that a poll is a snapshot in time.  But if Trump is that far ahead among independents, it's a dramatic political achievement.

Monday night looks more and more like "High Noon."  I wish we had a Gary Cooper.

September 22, 2016       Permalink

WARNING FROM BRITAIN – AT 8:16 A.M. ET:  At least some people are taking the ISIS threat seriously.  From London's Daily Mail: 

MI6 is to recruit 1,000 new spies following a stark warning from its chief that the threat from Islamic State-style terrorism will last a 'professional lifetime'.

Alex Younger – known as 'C' – said IS-style terrorism posed a 'persistent threat', driven by the internet revolution and the breaking down of international barriers.

In a rare public appearance at a security conference in Washington DC, he said 'deep social economic and demographic drivers' meant there was little sign of the 'enduring' danger disappearing soon.

And he warned of the damage done by the theft and leaking of US and UK secrets by Edward Snowden.

His warning came as it emerged that MI6, the Secret Intelligence Service, is to dramatically expand its staff with another 1,000 spies – a 40 per cent rise by 2020 to 3,500.

The expansion was reported by BBC Newsnight, which suggested the new staff were needed because technology, including the internet and facial-recognition techniques, had made it easier for the UK's enemies to identify intelligence officers.

COMMENT:  The British assessment sounds correct.  I would add that such factors as leftist bias in the press, corruption in educational institutions, and a general lack of traditional patriotism in Western democracies will add substantially to the burden felt by intelligence agencies.  Indeed, the presence of non-Islamic fifth columns in the decaying Western alliance may be the fatal blow, after all the decades of fight.

September 22, 2016       Permalink

TRUMP INCHES AHEAD – AT 8:08 A.M. ET:   Donald Trump is making progress in the battleground states, but the race is still very, very close.   From Fox: 

Donald Trump narrowly leads Hillary Clinton in the battleground states of Nevada, North Carolina, and Ohio.

That’s according to Fox News statewide likely voter polls conducted Sunday through Tuesday evenings.

Trump is helped by strong support from working-class white voters, while Clinton is hurt by a lackluster performance among younger voters and women.

In each state, Trump’s advantage is within the margin of sampling error. Here’s how the numbers breakdown state-by-state:

COMMENT:   On the other hand, Clinton has made a slight gain in the RealClearPolitics average of national polls.  She still leads in that survey and, narrowly, in electoral votes.

The bad news for Clinton is that Trump's rise has been fairly steady.  She hasn't had any important recent victories.  The good news for Clinton is that Trump has gotten a bit off-message in the last week, and his momentum is threatened. 

The first debate in Monday night.  The polls before then will be ancient history, and forgotten, by this time next week.  The home stretch begins October 8th, a month before the election.  October 8th is two weeks from Saturday.

September 22,  2016     Permalink