Displaying the most recent of 90433 posts written by

Ruth King

NATIONAL NEWS & OPINION Comments turned off

The Impeachment Motions: Jerry Nadler deserves an Oscar for pretending his probe is serious.

By on September 15th, 2019

https://www.wsj.com/articles/the-impeachment-motions-11568416067

Democratic presidential candidates issued a gusher of words over three hours Thursday night, but one they didn’t utter was “impeachment.” That was no accident. The polls show the cause is a political loser, and maybe someone should tell Jerrold Nadler.

The House Judiciary Chairman is still trying to persuade voters that he has Donald Trump in his impeachment sights. Russian collusion wasn’t real, obstruction of justice didn’t fly, and payments to Stormy Daniels sound too much like lying about sex (and Bill Clinton ). So now Mr. Nadler is back to the old stand of arguing that Mr. Trump is enriching himself while in office.

This isn’t likely to go anywhere either, but it’s worth parsing the latest accusations to explain why. Democrats are investigating whether the Defense Department has been propping up struggling Glasgow Prestwick airport in Scotland to help the nearby Trump Turnberry golf resort. In a letter to then Acting Defense Secretary Patrick Shanahan, Oversight Chairman Elijah Cummings noted the Pentagon has bought $11 million of fuel from Prestwick since October 2017. He also demanded details about a few Air Force crew members who stayed at Turnberry on a stopover this year.

The Prestwick airport, which is owned by the Scottish government, is struggling and its presence helps the Trump resort. But the Pentagon signed its contract with Prestwick in October 2016—before Mr. Trump was elected. Maybe Mr. Nadler should call Barack Obama as a witness.

As for the Turnberry stopover, the Air Force says seven active-duty and National Guard members stayed at the Trump resort on the way to Kuwait but stayed at a Marriott on the way back. The Air Force says the crew made its reservation through a defense travel system and used the “closest available” and “least expensive” accommodations to the airfield; the Trump resort was cheaper than the Marriott; and both properties were under the per diem travel rate of $166 a night. The Air Force says crews have stayed in the area 659 times over the past four years, and only 6% went to Turnberry.

Continue reading →
NATIONAL NEWS & OPINION Comments turned off

Sorry Dems, The Air Force Deal To Refuel Near Trump’s Scottish Resort Was Made Under Obama By Matt Margolis

By on September 15th, 2019

https://pjmedia.com/trending/sorry-dems-the-air-force-deal-to-refuel-near-trumps-scottish-resort-was-made-under-obama/

In April, the House Oversight Committee began investigating why an Air National Guard crew flying back and from to and from Kuwait stopped at Trump’s Turnberry resort near Glasgow, Scotland. House Democrats were quick to accuse Trump of financially benefitting off the military. Why not? Russian collusion is dead, and they aren’t exactly having more luck on the obstruction charges. So, bring it on! Another scandal to throw at Donald Trump in an attempt to tarnish his presidency.

Looks like Democrats have another swing and a miss on this latest attempt of brewing up a Trump scandal because the arrangement between the United States Air Force and the airport near the resort was signed during the Obama administration.

The U.S. Air Force has lodged crews at President Donald Trump’s Scotland resort up to 40 times since 2015, a figure that is far higher than previously known.

The tally represents the preliminary results of an Air Force review launched after POLITICO reported last week that an Air National Guard crew stayed at Turnberry in March. Congressional Democrats have also been investigating military stays at the property, but have yet to receive any information from the Pentagon.

The figure does not indicate how many of the stays have occurred since Trump became president. But the Air Force has significantly ramped up its overnight stops in Scotland under Trump after signing a contract with the Prestwick Airport — situated 20-plus miles from Turnberry — in the waning months of the Obama administration. Since 2015, the service has lodged crews in the area 659 times, meaning up to 6 percent of those stays were at Turnberry.

Continue reading →
ISRAEL Comments turned off

CAROLINE GLICK: ISRAEL AND JOHN BOLTON’S DEPARTURE

By on September 15th, 2019

http://carolineglick.com/israel-and-john-boltons-departure/

US National Security Advisor John Bolton’s departure from the White House has been the source of considerable concern in Israel. For decades, the veteran diplomat and former UN ambassador has been among the most powerful supporters of a strong US-Israel alliance in Washington. During his tenure as President Donald Trump’s National Security Advisor, Bolton worked steadily on expanding US-Israel strategic ties across a wide spectrum of critical issues from Iran, to the Palestinians and beyond.

Israelis would have greeted the departure of their strong ally and friend with concern regardless of the circumstances. But, the fact that he was fired, (or by Bolton’s telling, felt compelled to resign), just days after Jason Greenblatt, Trump’s envoy for negotiations between Israel and the Palestinians resigned from his position and as reports proliferate that Trump is seriously considering reducing economic sanctions on Iran in the hopes of scoring a meeting with Iranian President Hassan Rouhani at the UN General Assembly later this month, intensified the concern.

Although reasonable on their face, Bolton’s termination needs to be seen in two wider contexts. The first context is the environment in Washington that confronted Bolton in his position.

From the day he took up his duties a year and a half ago as Trump’s third national security advisor, Bolton was under assault. The campaign against Bolton was initiated by the Iranian regime. Iranian Foreign Minister Jawad Zarif blamed poor US-Iran relations on Bolton, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed Bin Salman. Zarif’s campaign was quickly joined by Obama administration officials who took to the US media parroting the same allegations. The Iranians, by their telling were guileless lambs. The big bad wolves were Bolton, Bibi and bin Salman.

Continue reading →
NATIONAL NEWS & OPINION Comments turned off

Why It’s Unlikely the McCabe Grand Jury Voted against Indictment By Andrew C. McCarthy

By on September 15th, 2019

https://www.nationalreview.com/2019/09/why-its-unlikely-the-mccabe-grand-jury-voted-against-indictment/

Despite swirling rumors, there’s no reason to infer a grand jury has rejected a proposed indictment of Andrew McCabe.

I n coverage of the Andrew McCabe investigation, there seems to be a lot of adding two plus two and coming up with five.

The New York Times and Washington Post have reported that a grand jury met on Thursday in connection with a probe involving McCabe, the FBI’s former deputy director. As I write this column on Friday evening, no indictment has been returned against McCabe. From this, and what seems to be some hopeful speculation about “hints of the case’s weakness” that could possibly have caused grand jurors to “balk,” the Times and the Post suggest that maybe the grand jury has voted against an indictment.

This supposition has prompted a letter to the Justice Department from McCabe’s attorney, Michael Bromwich — a former colleague of mine who, besides being a skilled and shrewd attorney, is a Democrat and was last seen representing Christine Blasey Ford, Justice Brett Kavanaugh’s accuser. Bromwich says he is hearing “rumors from reporters” about the filing of a “no true bill” — i.e., a grand-jury vote rejecting a proposed indictment of McCabe.

While conceding that he “do[es] not know the specific basis for the rumors,” Bromwich intuits that they must be reliable because the newspapers ran with the story. Mind you, neither the Times nor the Post claims to have been told by any grand jurors that they declined to indict McCabe; nor do they report hearing from any knowledgeable government official that a no true bill was voted. Nevertheless, McCabe’s legal team is demanding that the Justice Department disclose whether an indictment was declined and refrain from seeking an indictment in the future.

This gambit, of course, floats the narrative that the case against McCabe must be crumbling — the media reports spur the Bromwich letter, which spur more media reports, rinse and repeat. But even allowing for the erosion of standards, this is thin gruel for both news reporting and legal claims.

Continue reading →
CHARLOTTE'S NEWS WEB Comments turned off

Robert Mueller Smacked With Disturbing 9/11 Cover-Up Lawsuit

By on September 15th, 2019

https://ilovemyfreedom.org/robert-mueller-smacked-with-disturbing-9-11-cover-up-lawsuit/?utm_source=realjack&utm_medium=twitter

Interesting details are emerging regarding special counsel Robert Mueller in the wake of his collusion investigation that was intended to find coordination between the Trump administration and the Russian government to sway the 2016 US election.

The only problem is it look now if perhaps the only collusion found was covered up by Mueller.

A lawsuit seeking disclosure of FBI files that may detail a U.S.-based support network for the 9/11 hijackers linked to Sarasota and Venice has reached a federal appeals court, which is being asked by a Florida online publication to order a Freedom of Information Act trial on the dispute.

The case centers around reporting published by the Broward Bulldog on the FBI’s investigation into a Saudi family that abruptly left its home in a gated Sarasota community two weeks before the 2001 terror attacks. One FBI document written in 2002 that was disclosed in court said agents had found “many connections” between the family and some of the hijackers who took flying lessons at the Venice Airport, including ringleader Mohamed Atta.

Continue reading →
WORLD NEWS Comments turned off

Prompted, Elan Carr Becomes 1st US Special Envoy On Antisemitism To Acknowledge The Disproportionate, Global Pandemic Of Muslim Antisemitism [VIDEO/TRANSCRIPT

By on September 15th, 2019

https://www.andrewbostom.org/2019/09/prompted-elan-carr-becomes-1st-us-special-envoy-on-antisemitism-to-acknowledge-the-disproportionate-global-pandemic-of-muslim-antisemitism-video-transcript/

“Virtually all of the violence against Jews in Western Europe has been from the Arab [Muslim] and [broader] Muslim population—virtually all.”—Elan Carr

U.S. Special Envoy to Monitor and Combat Antisemitism, Elan Carr, participated in a panel discussion of Antisemitism Tuesday evening, 9/10/19, sponsored by Bnai Zion, in Manhattan, which can be viewed in its entirety here. Addressing a question posed to him which was introduced by this tweet of mine and ADL data [here; here; here] I have written about extensively, for example here, which demonstrate the alarming excess prevalence (i.e., 2 to 4.5-fold all other religious groups or agnostics, studied) of extreme Muslim Antisemitism worldwide, Elan Carr became the first such Special Envoy to openly acknowledge the global pandemic of Muslim Antisemitism.

TRANSCRIPT

[Moderator, Rabbi Elie Abadie]: “Let me just introduce this section by saying that today (Tuesday 9/10/19) Andrew Bostom tweeted https://twitter.com/andrewbostom/status/1171393543925092352, he’s the author of The Legacy of Jihad, The Legacy of Islamic Antisemitism, Sharia Versus Freedom, –so he tweeted today that ‘The Islamic Society of North America [ISNA] conference featured Sanders, Bernie Sanders, and Linda Sarsour, promoted mainstream Islamic, Al-Azhar-endorsed manual on Islamic law*, which admonishes Muslims to wage jihad on Jews.’ [*“Reliance of the Traveller,” certified  by Sunni Islam’s Vatican equivalent, Al-Azhar University as conforming to the contemporary ‘practice and faith of the orthodox Sunni community.’]

Continue reading →
IMMIGRATION Comments turned off

Keeping the Sugar off the Table Michael Galak

By on September 14th, 2019

https://quadrant.org.au/opinion/qed/2019/09/taking-the-sugar-off-the-table/

“To my mind, the Trump administration’s bid to limit immigrants’ access to welfare is one of the most important and reformative initiatives in seventy years. Many trends and movements begin life in the US and ripple out across the world. For my money, and that of all taxpayers, I’m hoping this one finds its way to our side of the Pacific.”

Some years ago, I wrote a piece for Quadrant, “How to choose better migrants”, in which I argued that Australia’s immigration policies should be based on the costs of absorbing migrants and the benefits from their activity. I am pleased to note that this approach is being taken in the US, where the Trump administration is attempting to implement something of a revolution. Should it succeed, the positive consequences for Americans will be incalculable.

Here is how Reason, mouthpiece of the libertarian Cato Institute, fumed that the open borders it favours might soon not be quite so open:

The rule, which is supposed to go into effect in mid-October (though courts are likely to intervene, for now), would brand any immigrant who is likely to qualify for even minimal social services a “public charge” and make it harder for them to enter the country if they are abroad—or, if they are already here, the rule will make it harder for them to upgrade their immigration status and obtain green cards or citizenship.

The measure’s goal is a limit on welfare spending, saving somewhere between US$57.4 to US$112 billion, in part by restricting payments to non-citizens. The proposal will be retroactive, should it survive the courts and furious opposition on Capitol Hill, meaning anyone applying for US citizenship would be checked on all computer bases, with the overall welfare costs associated with that particular individual assessed and totalled. All such benefits received would need to be repaid; if not, access to citizenship will be blocked. Welfare recipients not living in America but residing in their countries of origin would have their benefits slashed.

Continue reading →
ANTI-SEMITISM Comments turned off

Wisdom That Transcends Time: Self Esteem and Public Service by Lawrence Kadish

By on September 14th, 2019

https://www.gatestoneinstitute.org/14879/self-esteem-public-service

“Education is the kindling of a flame, not the filling of a vessel.” — Socrates, “On Personal Service,” 469-399 BCE.

“With no attempt there can be no failure; with no failure no humiliation. So our self-feeling in this world depends entirely on what we back ourselves to be and do.” — William James, “The Strangest Lightness.”

Those in public service have a daily opportunity either to welcome that challenge of advancing our nation or to retreat into mediocrity…. [I[t becomes evident that securing self-esteem is the true benefit from such a career and one that every public servant should aspire to.

“You will learn that those with ideas and enthusiasm to work hard and improve services may be ostracized by the status quo elements…. Set goals, dream big, and ask ‘why not.’ Maintain an exemplary standard of ethics. Begin with the end in your sights. And, above all, maintain your sense of humor!” — Larry J. Gordon, Gordon Visiting Professor, UNM School of Public Administration, 1994 Commencement Address.

That most precious of resources, time, gives us the means to think, ponder, reflect and acquire that most coveted of treasures: wisdom. The thought-provoking writings of three eminent scholars — Socrates, William James and Larry J. Gordon — bridge the centuries to provide us with the means better to understand ourselves and our era. Take the time to read their essays.

When it came to the role of teachers in our society, Socrates knew exactly what their role was. He observed, “Education is the kindling of a flame, not the filling of a vessel.” He reminded all of us that the educator’s real goal is to excite a student with the love of learning — perhaps one of the most crucial responsibilities in any society. More than any paycheck, pension or summer recess, creating a legacy that ensures a new generation will welcome that “flame” of wisdom elevates our teachers far beyond measure, a fact too often lost amidst the debate over benefits and course curriculum.

One can make that argument for all those who are in public service, whose responsibilities are meant to advance our nation, protect our future and better the lives of our fellow citizens. These careers offer a benefit that is far beyond measure — self-esteem — and the knowledge that they have the means to “kindle a flame” that shines a bright and lasting light on democracy.

Continue reading →
POLITICS Comments turned off

Democrats Call Trump A Murdering White Supremacist, Debate ‘Moderators’ Yawn Bob Maistros

By on September 14th, 2019

https://issuesinsights.com/2019/09/13/democrats-call-trump-a-murdering-racist-debate-moderators-yawn/

From the first minute of last night’s truly intolerable Democratic debate, a candidate for the world’s most powerful office started things rolling downhill with a startling assertion about last month’s horrific shootings in El Paso:

“Twenty-two people were killed, dozens more grievously injured by a man … inspired to kill by our president.” (Emphasis added)

Later in the same debate, a sitting U.S. senator from the nation’s largest state added the following over-the-top observation about these vile murders:

“People asked me … ‘do you think Trump is responsible for what happened?’ And I said, ‘Well, look, I mean, obviously, he didn’t pull the trigger. But he’s certainly been tweeting out the ammunition.’”

Let that sink in for a moment. On a debate stage on a major broadcast network, the sitting president of the United States was point-blank accused of responsibility for the vicious slaughter of 22 innocents.

Yet that wasn’t even the most slanderous charge leveled against the chief executive, not by a long shot. The “winner” in that category also emanated from the addled brain of the White House wannabe initially referenced above:

“But we will also call out the fact that we have a white supremacist in the White House, and he poses a mortal threat to people of color all across this country.”

In other words, our president, per Robert Francis O’Rourke and Webster’s dictionary, is “a person who believes that the white race is inherently superior to other races and that white people should have control over people of other races.” And endangers their existence.

Continue reading →
NATIONAL NEWS & OPINION Comments turned off

Four decades of bad nutrition advice based on ‘settled science’ was contradicted by rigorous study of the time – but it was largely suppressed By Thomas Lifson

By on September 14th, 2019

https://www.americanthinker.com/blog/2019/09/four_decades_of_bad_nutrition_advice_based_on_settled_science_was_contradicted_by_rigorous_study_of_the_time__but_it_was_largely_suppressed.html

Newly unearthed data from four decades ago contradicted gospel that animal fats are worse than vegetable fats — and was ignored.  All those climate alarmists who proclaim that they “believe in science” fail to understand that science is created by flawed human beings who are susceptible to ignoring findings that don’t confirm their hypotheses.  Or generate future grants for more research in the field.

Today, the “settled science” of nutrition as it stood decades ago is being questioned, in part because Americans have become obese after decades of following federal guidelines that turn out to be poppycock.

In The Scientific American, which is all in on global warming as settled science, renowned science writer Sharon Begley chronicles the rediscovery “in a dusty basement” of a rigorous study from 40 years ago that contradicted the dietary wisdom of the day.

[Christopher] Ramsden, of the National Institutes of Health, unearthed raw data from a 40-year-old study, which challenges the dogma that eating vegetable fats instead of animal fats is good for the heart. The study, the largest gold-standard experiment testing that idea, found the opposite, Ramsden and his colleagues reported on Tuesday in BMJ (formerly the British Medical Journal).

Despite the quality of the data and study, it went almost completely unnoticed:

Continue reading →