The Patriot Post Digest 2-13-2017

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The Patriot Post Digest 2-13-2017
From The Federalist Patriot
Free Email Subscription
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Mid-Day Digest

Feb. 13, 2017

IN TODAY’S EDITION

Obama made the U.S. vulnerable. Trump’s trying to reverse that.
The trouble with Michael Flynn isn’t what Democrats think.
Neil Gorsuch sailed to confirmation 11 years ago. Will Democrats now change their tune?
Daily Features: Top Headlines, Cartoons, Columnists and Short Cuts.

THE FOUNDATION

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

TOP RIGHT HOOKS

The Real End Game of Trump’s Order1

Public service reminder: Donald Trump took office following eight years of Barack Obama’s feckless foreign policy. Yes, on the campaign trail last year, Obama repeatedly made this ridiculous assertion: “No foreign terrorist organization has successfully planned and executed an attack on our homeland.” But whether it was Fort Hood, Boston, Chattanooga, San Bernardino, Orlando, or dozens of other attacks, the jihadis who perpetrated these attacks were radicalized by the Islamic State Obama had a hand in creating2. Bad vetting was bad policy, and people died as a result. Trump’s lawful travel ban3, however ham-handedly enacted, is all part of his strategy to actually protect the country — unlike his predecessor.

A second point related to the first: After 9/11, George W. Bush was eviscerated by Democrats for “not doing enough” to prevent the attacks. But Osama bin Laden’s 9/114 terrorist cell settled into American suburbs on Clinton’s watch5, before Bush was elected. That also would be the same Bill Clinton who passed on not one but two chances to take out Osama6. Trump would love not to repeat such mistakes or allow similar vulnerabilities.

Hence, over the weekend, Trump suggested he’s thinking of rewriting his travel ban order before appealing the Ninth Circuit’s decision7 on it. The courts are clearly getting it wrong, but Trump would indeed be well served to firm up the order itself. He’s not guilty of setting up some bigoted Muslim blockade. After all, the countries on the ban list — Syria, Iraq, Iran, Libya, Somalia, Yemen and Sudan — aren’t exactly peaceful places right now. He is trying to protect Americans, and the same leftists who oppose his attempts now would really let him have it if there is another attack.

What’s With All the Flynn Flam?8

Democrats and their mainstream media accomplices came out over the weekend calling for National Security Advisor Michael Flynn’s security clearance to be either suspended or revoked due to questions swirling around his pre-inauguration meeting with Russian ambassador Sergey Kislyak. At the time, Flynn denied discussing with the ambassador any of the sanctions Barack Obama had implemented against Russia in retaliation for its hacking of the DNC. And no less than Vice President Mike Pence publicly vouched for Flynn in TV interviews, reinforcing his assertion that the sanctions were never discussed.

Late last week, however, Flynn walked back the denial and now concedes that sanctions were discussed with the Russian ambassador. While the Democrats have made much hay over the sanctions having been discussed, the more worrisome issue is actually Flynn’s untruthfulness. As Rich Lowry noted9, “I have never understood why it would be inappropriate, let [alone] illegal, for the incoming National Security Advisor to talk to the Russian ambassador. … [But] the truthfulness of Flynn’s account is another matter. If Flynn misled Vice President Pence about the content of his discussions, knowing that Pence would go out and repeat a misleading version to the public, that’s obviously very troubling.”

Since Democrats and the Leftmedia have made it their stated objective to resist and obstruct Donald Trump’s agenda at every turn, it’s tempting to assume every issue they protest is simply political gamesmanship and essentially a non-issue. However, in this case there appears to be just cause for concern. If Flynn did indeed lie to the vice president, among others, then it’s a serious enough offense to warrant Trump’s consideration of firing Flynn. Trump is reportedly favorably disposed to Flynn, but his silence on the issue may be a hint that he is seriously considering a change.

Top Headlines10

Trump undertakes most ambitious regulatory rollback since Reagan. (The Washington Post11)

How Trump’s executive orders line up with past presidents. (The Daily Signal12)

Illegal immigrants concerned about deportation after raids. (CNS News13)

Green card holder sentenced for voter fraud — yes, voter fraud. (Hot Air14)

Record number of individuals are dropping American citizenship. (The Washington Free Beacon15)

DHS estimates border wall may cost $21 billion and more than three years to build. (Washington Examiner16)

American Patriot and Vietnam veteran, LtGen Hal Moore, dies at 94. (Military Times17)

Venezuelans lead in U.S. asylum requests as socialism-caused crisis deepens. (Fox News18.)

North Korea tests a missile — and tests Donald Trump. (The Daily Signal19)

Video: Winner of best student PSA. (Vimeo20)

Policy: ATF study: It’s time to reconsider regulations on suppressors and “assault weapons.” (NRA-ILA21)

Policy: A closer look at Neil Gorsuch, an excellent choice for the Supreme Court. (Insider Online22)

For more, visit Patriot Headline Report23.

FEATURED RIGHT ANALYSIS
Dems Are in a Supreme Mess of Their Own Making24

By Robin Smith

Exactly one year ago today, on February 13, 2016, one of America’s most noted jurists died25, leaving a gaping hole on the U.S. Supreme Court. Associate Justice Antonin Gregory Scalia concluded his almost three-decade tenure of distinction that began in 1986. Known for his wit but also his enduring originalist constitutional approach from our land’s highest court, Justice Scalia left his legacy on the Court, just as President Ronald Reagan would’ve surmised.

But, on this February 13, the nomination to fill this prestigious position previously held by the conservative anchor of the Court is rife with rancor of Washington politics. The stench filling the nostrils of the American public comes directly from the hypocritical rot on the Left.

Remember, this was the crowd screeching that the results of the November 8th election must be accepted as they anticipated the coronation of their propped-up candidate, Hillary Clinton. Yet the confirmation of President Donald Trump’s cabinet is happening at a slower pace than other presidents' first terms. According to26 the Washington Free Beacon, “Not since President George Washington’s initial formation of a cabinet in 1789 has an American president’s cabinet picks been approved as slowly as the Senate is approving President Donald Trump’s nominees.”

Why? The Left’s Cupcake Nation not only refuses to accept the election, they are rejecting the voice of the American public daily by delaying and obstructing Trump’s cabinet nominees. This includes tactics such as a boycott of a Senate hearing and the political theatrics of rhetoric that include references to Hitler, fascism and the declaration that the end of our Republic has arrived.

Likely to be one of the grandest of their hypocrisies is the confirmation process of Judge Neil Gorsuch27, currently serving on the Tenth Circuit Court of Appeals, and nominated to replace Scalia on the Supreme Court. Eleven years ago, Gorsuch was unanimously approved by the Senate. The 109th Congress was comprised of a Senate with 45 Democrats who all supported Gorsuch.

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The Patriot Post Digest 2-13-2017
From The Federalist Patriot
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Want to guess who cast their votes of support for Judge Gorsuch? While not serving today, both Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama were members of the Democrat minority in the Senate along with former Secretary of State John Kerry, former VP Joe Biden and that all-time favorite, Dirty Harry Reid of Nevada. Still serving in today’s 115th Congress: Senators Chuck Schumer, Patty Murray, Patrick Leahy, Diane Feinstein and Ron Wyden, just to name a few who found Gorsuch to be a competent jurist with integrity to adjudicate fairly.

Democrats' fount of fit-pitching bullying and tantrums may run dry regarding Gorsuch. Senate Democrats are fundraising off the fearmongering from the confirmations of Secretary of Education Betsy Devos, Attorney General Jeff Sessions and Secretary of State Rex Tillerson, in particular. But even so, how would they justify a complete flip of position in order to reject a man they once approved? How does Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer in his opposition now declare the need of the filibuster-proof 60 votes — as if it will be a high hurdle — to move the very man he once supported without reservation or comment?

Last week, Schumer, “The burden is on Judge Neil Gorsuch to prove himself to be within the legal mainstream and, in this new era, willing to vigorously defend the Constitution from abuses of the executive branch and protect the constitutionally enshrined rights of all Americans” [emphasis added].

And in what new era do we live? Following the executive activism of Barack Obama and his unelected bureaucracy, which created unprecedented new rules and regulations, and the judicial activists who joined the Obama Social Justice™ Department in legislating new law and refusing to enforce existing laws, Schumer and his clown car occupants would prefer judicial despots willing to comply with rewriting the Constitution.

But the Constitution has not changed.

Additionally for Democrats are Gorsuch’s impromptu remarks28 defending the judiciary from Trump’s Twitter takedown of the Ninth Circus. It’s clear: Senate Democrats risk further damage to their already questionable reputation as it relates to Rule of Law and ability to lead. Further, as other vacancies on the Court appear more likely than not during the Trump-Pence administration, such as the octogenarian Ruth Bader Ginsberg, the faux firestorm of protests now with Gorsuch, whose credentials are heralded as fair-minded and non-ideological by all partisans, will exhaust the flames of their grievances and struggles against other Trump nominees.

There is a group of Senate Democrats who have declared that Judge Neil Gorsuch deserves an up or down vote versus a filibuster. Ironically, but not surprisingly, they hail mostly from Red States and will find their names on the ballot in November 2018. Funny how election cycles play into one’s rhetoric and votes.

Trump was carried into office based on key issues relating to the Supreme Court’s composition for years to come, illegal immigration and dealing with radical Islamic terrorism.

The nomination of Judge Neil Gorsuch is the fulfillment of one of Trump’s critical campaign pledges and his likely approval to the Supreme Court will resonate for years to come. Democrats' next moves will either cater to the angry protesters of the far Left or logically save the fight for another day and a subsequent vacancy.

We’ll soon see if logic continues to be anathema for Democrats.

MORE ANALYSIS FROM THE PATRIOT POST

Campus Brownshirts and Their Cowardly Enablers29 — Free speech? Not if you walk on a leftist college campus.
Democrats' Problem With Muslim IT Guys30 — Unauthorized access of sensitive computer information.
Conceding ‘One China’ Policy?31 — Trump’s gesture is sure to ease growing diplomatic tensions.
Liberals Pitch Hissy Fit Over Pro-Trump Grammy Dress32 — “Sometimes you just gotta be free to express yourself.”

BEST OF RIGHT OPINION

Gary Bauer: Judicial Tyranny33
Hans von Spakovsky: Court Ruling Against Trump’s EO Shows the Worst of Judicial Activism34
Jeff Jacoby: School Choice Keeps the Peace35

For more, visit Right Opinion36.

OPINION IN BRIEF

Gary Bauer: “Do you recall after 9/11 how quickly the media and the Left began to blame the Bush administration for not doing enough to prevent the attack? It came out later that there had been warnings that something big was being planned. The Left asked, ‘Why didn’t Condoleezza Rice figure out that Al Qaeda was going to use airplanes as missiles?’ Sixteen years after this war started (four jihadists were arrested in France [Friday]), Donald Trump came into office determined to do everything possible to prevent another attack. Now the same liberals and the same media that attacked Bush for not doing enough are attacking Trump for doing too much!”

SHORT CUTS

The Gipper: “History teaches that wars begin when governments believe the price of aggression is cheap.”

Upright: “I have never understood why it would be inappropriate, let [alone] illegal, for the incoming National Security Advisor to talk to the Russian ambassador. … Now, the truthfulness of [Michael] Flynn’s account is another matter. If Flynn misled Vice President Pence about the content of his discussions, knowing that Pence would go out and repeat a misleading version to the public, that’s obviously very troubling.” —Rich Lowry

For the record: “The next four years will see an epic confrontation between judicial activism, the legal handmaid of the progressive agenda, and the rule of law. It is clear on which side of this battle [Judge Neil] Gorsuch stands. In his 10 years on the U.S Court of Appeals, he has proven to be a champion of the rule of law and a critic of judicial activism. That is precisely why Senate Democrats and their allies on the left, with the looming legal war very much in sight, will fiercely oppose Gorsuch’s confirmation.” —Curt Levey

The BIG Lie: “We’re not being obstructionists. I read the Constitution very plainly. I’m supposed to advise and consent and I’m going to do everything I can to make sure that we have a thorough vetting of candidates, opportunities to speak about these issues on the floor, and ultimately to give our consent. And, frankly, what the Trump administration is doing, contrary to that, is they’re trying to ram these nominees through without a thorough vetting.” —Sen. Cory Booker

Non Compos Mentis: “Black-on-black murder is not a thing. It’s just a bad argument. Black-on-black crime is not a thing. Don’t talk about it. Shut it down when people talk about it.” —Regis University’s Jack Flotte

And last… “There is an aristocracy now that pervades American politics. It’s got to be broken somehow in both parties, and I think that’s what the Trump message was that echoed so strongly in these flyover communities. … The Democratic Party’s got to do some real hard looks on whether or not they are going to expand and get back working people who used to be the core of their party.” —Jim Webb

Semper Vigilans Fortis Paratus et Fidelis
Managing Editor Nate Jackson

Join us in daily prayer for our Patriots in uniform — Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen, Marines and Coast Guardsmen — standing in harm’s way in defense of Liberty, and for their families.