The Patriot Post Digest 8-5-2016

________________________________________
The Patriot Post Digest 8-5-2016
From The Federalist Patriot
Free Email Subscription
________________________________________

Mid-Day Digest

Aug. 5, 2016

THE FOUNDATION

“National defense is one of the cardinal duties of a statesman.” —John Adams (1815)

TOP RIGHT HOOKS

‘Never Mind Hillary’s Actual Breaches, Let’s Worry About Trump’1

Barack Obama attempted damage control Thursday as he responded to criticism over his $400 million cash payment to Iran2, which has been widely viewed as a ransom for four American hostages. Obama sought to deflect the idea that the payment had anything to do with a “nefarious deal” and criticized the reporting on the story as out of a “spy novel” rather than reality. “It is not at all clear to me why it is that cash as opposed to a check or a wire transfer has made this into a news story. Maybe because it feels like some spy novel or, you know, some crime novel.”

What does it say about Obama that his schemes are so ridiculous that his only defense is to call the stories about them ridiculous? If he wouldn’t run his administration like a crime syndicate, the stories about his administration wouldn’t sound like a crime novel.

Obama then decided to weigh in on the fact that both presidential candidates will be receiving classified security briefings, and that both candidates “have been told these are classified briefings.” He warned that Donald Trump would need to keep this sensitive information secret — to be “able to receive these briefings and not spread them around.” Is he kidding? What of Obama’s former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton? The press conveniently did not raise any objections or questions regarding Hillary and her email scandal3. You know, the one in which she sent and received thousands of classified emails — including those with TOP SECRET information — over an unsecured private server. Obama will never mention that again, and the Leftmedia will be happy to not ask.

The idea that Barack “I did not pay a ransom” Obama would worry more about classified security breaches from Trump, who has no record of leaking classified information, rather than Hillary, who by her own handiwork is the most compromised nominee4 in the history of the nation, is beyond ridiculous. Again, it’s no wonder people read about his administration like it’s a crime novel.

A Gold Star Meeting for Trump5

The controversy over Donald Trump’s comments about the Gold Star family who spoke at the Democrat Convention has dominated the media all week. What did not get much coverage, however, was the fact that Trump met with six Gold Star families Wednesday evening in Jacksonville. Karen Vaughn, whose son was a Navy SEAL killed in action, organized the gathering. “It was really a chance to tell our stories, but also talk about problems with the rules of engagement [for troops in war zones] and the failed policies of the current administration,” Vaughn said later. “I walked out feeling like I understood where his heart is, regardless of the comments that he made that may seem insensitive to some.” Vaughn also spoke at the GOP convention, but again, she didn’t get much media coverage.

We have noted how poorly Trump handled6 the situation with the DNC speakers. But this was a good move on his part to show solidarity with these families and to support — including monetarily — their cause. And that’s why you may not hear this story on the evening news. As Gary Bauer notes, “Don’t lose sight of the role that the media play in perpetuating stories that hurt Trump and stifling those that might help him.”

Don’t Tread on Clint Eastwood7

Clint Eastwood is no stranger to controversy. After all, this is the guy who lectured an empty chair representing Barack Obama at the 2012 GOP convention. So it wasn’t surprising — though it may raise some eyebrows — that he had this rather crass and curmudgeonly but entirely accurate thing to say about our modern era and Donald Trump: “He’s onto something, because secretly everybody’s getting tired of political correctness, kissing up. That’s the kiss-ass generation we’re in right now. We’re really in a pussy generation. Everybody’s walking on eggshells.” He continued, “We see people accusing people of being racist and all kinds of stuff. When I grew up, those things weren’t called racist. And then when I did ‘Gran Torino,’ even my associate said, ‘This is a really good script, but it’s politically incorrect.’ And I said, ‘Good. Let me read it tonight.’ The next morning, I came in and I threw it on his desk and I said, ‘We’re starting this immediately.’”

Also, get off his lawn.

Readers of these pages know Eastwood isn’t playing make believe when it comes to the ridiculous grievance industry. In fact, here’s the latest example: Law professor Eugene Volokh writes8, “The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, among its other functions, decides ‘hostile work environment’ harassment claims brought against federal agencies. In doing so, it applies the same legal rules that courts apply to private employers, and that the EEOC follows in deciding whether to sue private employers. The EEOC has already ruled that coworkers' wearing Confederate flag T-shirts can be punishable harassment.”

Now Volokh notes, the EEOC is investigating whether that punishable racism may extend to displays of or apparel with the Gadsden flag. The commission received a complaint and will look into it. Perhaps the “Don’t Tread on Me” message has been misunderstood…

BEST OF RIGHT OPINION

Jonah Goldberg: When Is a Ransom Not a Ransom? When It’s Inconvenient to Call It That9
Michael Barone: Donald Trump’s Opportunity Cost10
David Limbaugh: Censorial DePaul Bans Conservative Ben Shapiro11

For more, visit Right Opinion12.

TOP HEADLINES

FBI Report Details IRS Targeting13
Oil Industry Suing EPA Over Methane Regulations14
Obama to Bypass Congress, Seek UN Resolution on Nuke Testing15

For more, visit Patriot Headline Report16.

FEATURED RIGHT ANALYSIS
The Social Democrats: Playing Both Sides Against the Middle17

By Michael Swartz

There is a conundrum with being a Catholic Democrat candidate for office. Beyond the teachings of such a Democrat’s own church, a significant portion of the electorate — perhaps the “silent majority” — has what could be described as traditional views on social issues such as abortion or same-sex “marriage.” But the loudest part of their constituency, and the ones who most willingly offer up the manna of campaign donations, would prefer that America become the land of the free to marry whomever you wish and do as you will with that baby up until the moment of birth. The anti-Catholic position, if you will.

Leftists love the economic justice rhetoric often uttered by Pope Francis, such as decrying “income inequality” or capitalism18. But they cringe when the pope speaks in a manner more reflective of traditional Christian dialogue on issues such as abortion, marriage or his latest remarks on gender.

In a closed-door meeting19 last week with Polish church leaders, Pope Francis noted, “In Europe, America, Latin America, Africa, and in some countries of Asia, there are genuine forms of ideological colonization taking place. And one of these — I will call it clearly by its name — is [the ideology of] ‘gender.’ Today children — children! — are taught in school that everyone can choose his or her sex. Why are they teaching this? Because the books are provided by the persons and institutions that give you money. These forms of ideological colonization are also supported by influential countries. And this is terrible!”