Good or Bad for the Jews

"Good or Bad for the Jews"

Many years ago, and for many years, I would travel to Morocco to visit uncles, cousins, and my paternal grandmother. Some lived in Tangiers;...

Monday, May 1, 2017

One Hundred Days of Leftist Savagery

Apologies for the gap in blogging. Life gets in the way of living, or maybe the other way round. I don't know. Had to deal with a number of issues, mostly involving cars. Yes, the Diplomad has revealed himself a coward. No longer able to withstand the daily Diplowife assault on my mini fleet of three classic cars, I have begun the painful process of liquidating them. In fact, if you go to the Laguna Classic Cars website (www.lagunaclassiccars.com) you will see my red 1973 Mach 1 proudly displayed for sale. It will soon be joined by my blue 1966 Oldsmobile and, later, the green 1976 Cadillac. Sigh. I, however, did not go down without a fight. I bought myself a beautiful Jeep Wrangler Unlimited from a wonderful family owned dealer, BlackStar Off Road, and insisted that it have a six-speed manual transmission. Ha! The Diplowife says she cannot drive manual, so there . . . my own safe space . . .

While all that important stuff was going on, of course, the rest of the world carried on.

The pundits are on and on about Trump's first 100 days. This "C-Days" benchmark is one of the silliest in American politics, and has extended overseas to comments on other governmental leaders' first 100 days. I used to hear it in Spain and elsewhere from people who had no idea of the origins of that 100-Day measure. This 100-day obsession comes from FDR's first 100 days during which, with overwhelming strength in the Congress, the disaster of the Great Depression weighing down and panicking the country, and, lest we forget, a much later inauguration date (March 4) which gave him more time to prepare, he rammed through a huge packet of legislation, the New Deal, that laid the foundations for the massive welfare state we now--depending on your views--enjoy or endure. So now the progs have decreed that we "MUST" judge our presidents by what they do in their first hundred days, and compare it to FDR's record. As I have said before about progressives and "words",
Words have meaning, and the left is very good at ever so subtly altering the meaning of words so that over time those words no longer mean what they meant. Words, of course, are the bullets of intellectual debate. If you allow your opponent to select your ammo for you, well, let's just say you are at a disadvantage.
Other than Lincoln, no other president took office encountering such widespread and well-coordinated antipathy, nay, sabotage. From the moment the shocked media meisters had to confront Trump's victory on November 8, the assault commenced. There was no "give the guy a chance," no "honeymoon," no "wait and see." We heard that Trump was not the "legitimate" president because Clinton had "won" the popular vote (Thank you, Mexico!) The chattering class conveniently "forgot" that the President is elected by the electoral college; that we have 51 separate elections in this country--one District of Columbia, 46 states, four commonwealths--to determine who becomes our president. They then turned on the electoral college itself, threatening and encouraging state electors pledged to Trump to switch either to Clinton or to somebody else. That, of course, turned into a disaster for Trump's opponents when it all backfired, and in the main it was Clinton electors who defected. Since and just before the election, the progs have been, as I have written quite a few times, beating the "Russia hacked the election" drum. This has had various versions but all were aimed at showing that somehow Putin wanted Trump to win and managed to get just what he wanted. Trump's opponents, i.e., the Obama misadministration, clearly engaged in a massive surveillance operation against Trump and his staff using the "looking for Russians" excuse. Suddenly the progressives were worried about Russia and our national security! How touching.

Opponents tried to disrupt the inauguration, and have engaged in a consistent pattern of street violence and thuggery aimed at intimidating Trump supporters and trying to give the impression that the country is ungovernable unless the progressives are in charge. Nothing is off limits, including Trump's family, in this assault on the new president. Unprecedented coarseness, violence, and fake news are all arrows in the progressive quiver and being unleashed on Trump and supporters daily.

OK, that said, what can we say about the first 100 days of President Trump?

He's done very, very well, certainly better than  his opponents. His executive orders reversing much of the environmental and anti-energy nonsense of the past and the elevation of Judge Neil Gorsuch to Justice on the Supreme Court alone are worth the price of admission. We cannot exaggerate the importance of the Gorsuch victory. This gives us the chance to reverse a lot of the progressive "lawfare" tactics and undo much of the idiotic and destructive "gun control" and anti-free speech legislation and rulings. It should give Trump the ability to rein-in the criminally stupid 9th Circuit and other progressive judges and reverse their rulings on matters such as immigration and sanctuary cities. AG Sessions has taken exactly the right approach by announcing his DOJ is going after the MS-13 and other international gangsters who have taken root in the US thanks to our lax immigration policies. Illegal border crossings, even without the WALL, are way down in the first months of Trump, all because he has changed to the tone coming from DC. The economy is breathing a sigh of relief with the stock market into record territory, and companies, notably manufacturers, announcing plans to keep or open plants in the US. Granted much of that depends on Trump getting his tax and budget bills through, and that's where he has to work. There is, despite some odd behavior by some prominent Republicans in Congress, also a real chance to get those bills passed, and to undo the Obamacare disaster once and for all.

Trump has proven very adept at foreign affairs. The whole tone has changed. He speaks clearly and acts quickly and decisively. He is having the desired effect. I think we will get a renegotiation of NAFTA, for example, and the revitalization and refocusing of NATO. The Iranian and North Korean regimes, I think, will begin to realize that things have changed and that craziness will no longer be tolerated. ISIS is taking a pounding, and I think is on the road to defeat--at least in places such as Iraq, Afghanistan, and Syria, how it fares in its other bases in Europe, well, that depends on the Europeans. Relations with Russia will improve, as Putin realizes that he can no longer get away with what he was doing while Obama was in office. China also seems more cooperative on the North Korea issue.

Trump is keeping his promises, to the shock and chagrin of his opponents. Perhaps his greatest accomplishment has to been to reveal clearly the fascistic nature of the progressive "movement" in the US. That's my take away from the first hundred days.

36 comments:

  1. Absolutely a must watch: "http://www.cnn.com/videos/tv/2015/12/22/donald-trump-accent-daily-hit-newday.cnn"

    You're welcome ...

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    1. Against my better, if not prejudicial cnn instincts Georgie boy, I followed your "must watch" recommendation! Turns out its the usual bill of fare, a she'n'he concoction of CNN manure! A saving grace might've been to record the script using a Highland Scot to do the vocals, with a 'pipes dirge' howlin aboot the un-lamentable and long overdue death of the Democrat party in the background... sooo, may I say, at this time, tanks but no tanks. OW~~~

      The Bad Piper: Thunderstruck
      https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oO1bGlyHDNU

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    2. It was meant to be humorous ...
      Signed,
      78-year-old Georgie Boy

      Delete
    3. "Absolutely a must watch" -- on CNN no less,
      YOU CALL THAT "HUMOR"? (NO! I'm not shouting at you Geo, just making the letters LARGE enough for a man of your SENORITY to DeCoDe ;) Go ahead put your horn back in ... 78 ya say, that sounds 1940ish, heck I've got sisters older than that! {{ba-ba-daboom}}

      So whadyathink of that Piper with the MOHAWK? Not bad for a Fruitcake from OZ fingering a Scottish squeezebox hey!? AnyHowl, I do so appreciate your musing and kvetchin, and henceforth and throughout the realm of TRUMP you shall be known as the 'Odd Humor Man'!
      your Pal in Perpetuity,
      On Watch~~~

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    4. Being 78 I'm a little slow on the uptake ... a gay Mr. T playing the accordian (or bagpipes) in Australia?

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    5. Almost a BullsEye PiP ;)
      Although, I believe the "gay Mr. T" you reference is actually a musical'Caucasian Nut' of sorts... Here he's doing his "The Donald" interpretation of another AC-DC classic! Hold on tight, he may rock you! OW~~~

      https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QxEienWi-Pk

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  2. I'm wondering how much is Duterte's visit meant as a message to China re: the Pacific?

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    Replies
    1. Excellent point. I think it's part of how Trump works. He's letting everybody know that everything is on the table.

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    2. Ref. China warship Visit: "Confidence Building and Good Will...and to show we are Friends... the carpeting inside is like a Luxury Hotel...Pres. Duterte"

      Sounds like an opening for dialogue with President Trump ;) Can't wait for these two wise guys to hang out and share jokes about Kim Jung Un!

      On Watch~~~

      https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TH_TqeOekuI

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    3. We have a new naval base in the Philippines near China's man made islands, so Duterte's recent anti-Americanism needs to be countered.

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    4. "Duterte's recent anti-Americanism needs to be countered."

      Apparently it already has, Duterte's Beef was with BO and his shit don't stank 'tude... Besides it seems obvious that Rodrigo and Donald are twin sons of different mothers, or they've taken to modeling each others combative styles -- "don't mix me up with politicians" -- quite impressive to watch these two 70+ tough guys in action! Looking forward to Duterte's visit, maybe they'll figure out how to wipe out the Global Drug Cartels, and send the tubby Nork nemesis to Chinese re-education summer camp.

      OW~~~

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  3. It is I'd submit, somewhat difficult to find any chuckles where the progs' first hundred is concerned but;

    Compare & contrast

    http://maverickphilosopher.typepad.com/maverick_philosopher/2017/04/chucky-shumers-first-117-days.html

    JK

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  4. If Trump is doing so well on foreign policy, why cut the State Dept. budget?

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    Replies
    1. Why you say!? I'll take a crack at that one!
      Because, like most Federal administrative bureaucracies, they tend to become overstaffed by incompetent misfits who stayed too long, or were left behind as unclaimed baggage by previous Secretaries. As this problem grows, in time it becomes absolutely necessary by whatever means to cull the size of the bureaucratic herd, before it consumes the entire world - this is known as the globalism effect - a very dangerous and beastly condition to behold!

      To answer your ancillary question, the reason the current DOS is doing so "well" is due to the fact that the new team has not yet been given time to become bloated, depressed, and useless. Thus far they remain, in a diplomatic sense, a 'High-Energy' lean mean fighting machine. Hence, the Shock & Awe they apparently are able to induce in even the worlds worst bullies! It's a good thing, as Martha used to say... :)

      Disclaimer: My POV is from the outside looking in, perhaps one who has had a more up close and personal experience, In the 'Belly of the Beast' at State may have some other things to add or subtract?!

      OW~~~

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    2. Because they're eliminating gender reassignment surgery loan guarantees for the third world? Who knows? There's certainly more than enough fat to cut, with all the inappropriate programs accumulated through decades of progressive management. I'm not convinced that we can even *find* all the programs siphoning money directly out of the government.

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  5. A bit of a tangent here, but how much longer until Trump has to put several EU members on the travel ban list? Seriously, if the EU keeps importing millions of Muslims, how is the US supposed to prevent the Islamists from infiltrating with their EU passports?

    - Silent T

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  6. He definitely has them all (home and abroad) in a dither.

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  7. Any comparison to FDR is invalid IMO beyond what you wrote. The first 100 days of a president's term was coined in a July 24, 1933, radio address by U.S. President Franklin D. Roosevelt, although he was referring to the 100-day special session of the 73rd United States Congress between March 9 and June 17, rather than the first 100 days of his administration. So it, in his case, was when Congress was in session. Afterwards Congress was not in session like that. In 2016 the House was in session for a total of 131 days, the Senate 165 per this link: https://www.thoughtco.com/average-number-of-legislative-days-3368250

    Finally the rule of law wins one. Powell was among more than 230 people arrested in the aftermath of various incidents on January 20, 2017 in DC; he was arrested the following day. He was among 212 defendants named in a superseding indictment returned on April 27, 2017, by a grand jury in the Superior Court of the District of Columbia. Powell is the first to plead guilty to felony charges. 211 more to go.
    What is also good is that under federal law, even if he gets a weak sentence since he pleaded guilty, because the punishment COULD have resulted in a > 1 year sentence, he loses his 2nd Amendment rights, felony or not. Justice.
    http://www.thegatewaypundit.com/2017/04/antifa-black-bloc-rioter-faces-1-3-years-prison-guilty-plea-felony-rioting-trump-inauguration/

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    1. Correct about the 100 day meme being a journalistic fabrication, classic 'Fake News'.

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    2. @Anonymous

      Speaking of fake news, Walter Russell Mead made an excellent point at the Wall Street Journal website:

      "If Donald Trump were a liberal Democrat, some of the media’s descriptions of 'chaos' and 'disarray' in the White House probably would be replaced with stories about 'creative tension' among a 'team of rivals.' "

      Words make a difference. Word choice frames the discussion. If media outlets say people should trust them, then if they're serious maybe they should first put some new batteries in their spin detectors.

      It might also be time for everyone else to dust off the old admonition, "Question Authority" -- an admonition despised by the media and by the hordes of Obama diehards.

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    3. "It might also be time for everyone else to dust off the old admonition, "Question Authority"

      May Day~~ May Day~~ May Day~~
      Then again MAYbe NOT everyone.
      On Watch~~~

      https://www.yahoo.com/news/police-set-ablaze-may-day-slideshow-wp-210912284.html

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    4. glad that we're nabbing those guys... these fascists-claiming-to-be-against-fascism need to know that their methods are one-way trips to a concrete cell.

      - reader #1482

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    5. @Anonymous #2

      Just allow me to point out that there's a big difference between questioning authority -- even loudly and vehemently questioning authority -- and mounting a violent assault on authority.

      That's a distinction any free and civilized society would, or at least should, make.

      So turn off your spin machine.

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    6. "SPIN"?
      May I just say Harry I enjoyed and concur with most of your post, however I felt obligated to note that "questioning authority" is often the prerequisite for 'Direct Action' tactics, and used as a license to incite violence. My initial reply to your post was a reaction to your broad suggestion that "everyone else" question authority. As you said "Word choice frames the discussion". Throw in an image of Parisian gendarmes under a fiery siege by ~who knows who~, and you get the picture -- No 'spin or batteries' required.

      On Watch~~~

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  8. Historically, "The 100 Days" refers to Napoleon's escape from Elba and March to Paris. It has been appropriated (largely mindlessly) to other periods, especially the first three months of anything.

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  9. I think Trump has already accomplished more than many presidents do in a whole term, but is given no credit. You see, he has no "legislative" accomplishments! Failure, failure, failure.

    And if Congress has its way, that will continue to be the case. We the people need to step in again and start bombarding Congress in every possible (legal, non-violent) way to let them know our displeaure. Where are the voters in Ryan's district and why isn't he worried about being "Cantorized?" What are the rest of us doing to pressure our Congress members?

    Trump comes so close to true greatness, but unfortunately, imho, sabotages himself and gives fodder to his enemies and is now scaring much of his base. To reassure his base, he needs to make Ivanka shut up and get her out of the W.H. The whole family has a blind spot about the sainted Ivanka. Eric, normally a bright young man, tweeting out that Ivanka convinced his father to do the Syrian bombing. No awareness that Republicans did not vote for liberal Ivanka to do foreign policy (or any other policy).

    The other thing: Trump needs to give much less verbiage and tweeting time to the on-going the media war. There is a war, alright, and Trump has to fight. But with masterful action, such as the competing rally the night of the W.H. correspondants' dinner and a strategic word or tweet when useful or necessary. But in the CONSTANT barrage against the media, their deceit raised in almost every sentence and tweeted about constantly I believe he has reached the point of dimishing returns and is hurting himself more than he is hurting media. He is allowing a description of his first hundred days to be simply "his war with the media" and imho, is taking AWAY from himself. His supporters already know what the media is. This criticism is not anti-him. I remain a supporter and want him to succeed.

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  10. Congrats on purchasing your Wrangler Unlimited! I plan on keeping my Jeep Liberty as long as possible, but I hope to buy a Wrangler Unlimited someday.
    A coworker and I were talking about THE WALL the other night. We feel it almost doesn't matter if it's built or not. (Although we prefer that it is built). Just enforcing our current immigration laws is putting us on track to bringing the invasion down to manageable levels.

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    1. " insisted that it have a six-speed manual transmission. Ha! The Diplowife says she cannot drive manual, so there"
      Watch out about that. A carjacker killed the driver of the car he was trying to steal because the carjacker couldn't drive a standard trannie.

      Second amendment, in other words.

      Delete
  11. Below is the opening paragraph of the 100-day plan Trump's campaign released in October, called "Donald Trump's Contract With The American Voter."

    What follows is my 100-day action plan to Make America Great Again. It is a contract between myself and the American voter — and begins with restoring honesty, accountability and change to Washington.

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  12. Tillerson gave a very interesting, wide-ranging talk to State Department personnel today. Transcript here. Bound to be of interest to the Diplomad readership.
    https://www.state.gov/secretary/remarks/2017/05/270620.htm

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    1. Bravo! The man knows how to work a room, convey his honesty, personal honor, and a sense of shared destiny! Definitely not a mute...on policy or values.
      Hand Salute Skipper~~~
      On Watch~~~

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  13. I'll just post this because it's worth repeating: The Best thing about Trump's First 100 Days? It wasn't Hillary's First 100 Days.

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  14. Tks CF,
    Laudable objectives,
    I even like the preamble at his Team site!
    On Watch~~~

    Presents 100-Day Plan To Make America Great Again – For Everyone

    Gettysburg, PA: Today, in historic Gettysburg, PA, Donald J. Trump presented a game-changing plan for his first 100 days in office. This revolutionary “Contract with the American Voter” will ensure that America’s economy is revitalized and citizens are protected.

    “I’m not a politician, and have never wanted to be one. But when I saw the trouble our country was in, I knew I couldn’t stand by and watch any longer. Our country has been so good to me, I love our country, I felt I had to act,” said Mr. Trump in his address.

    “Change has to come from outside this broken system. The fact that the Washington establishment has tried so hard to stop our campaign is only more proof that our campaign represents the kind of change that only arrives once in a lifetime,” he continued.

    “I am asking the American people to rise above the noise and the clutter of our broken politics, and to embrace that great faith and optimism that has always been the central ingredient in the American character. I am asking you to dream big


    https://www.donaldjtrump.com/press-releases/donald-j.-trump-delivers-groundbreaking-contract-for-the-american-vote1

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  15. This reminds me something of the Nixon years. Nixon was not supposed to win in 1968; then as now, the liberals believed that the country was theirs. In the same way, when the progressives thought that Obama heralded a new progressive era, Trump came and overturned everything the "smart money" held dear. This accounts for much of the savagery.

    It is my prayer that Mr. Trump will be kept safe from the various temptations that did in Nixon in the Watergate scandal. I hope that Trump realizes this business is all about the USA, not Donald Trump.

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  16. I have been told that not only trump but Bush before him did not ein the popular vote. Yhe next person who tells me that irrelevancy will be told that neither did Clinton, so it makes as much sense to say that as to say that if football were scored like basketball, the other team would have won the last five Superbowls.

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