The Patriot Post Digest 5-2-2017

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The Patriot Post Digest 5-2-2017
From The Federalist Patriot
Free Email Subscription
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Mid-Day Digest

May 2, 2017

IN TODAY’S EDITION

    Trump’s “honored” comment about Kim was foolish, but it was also meant to flatter.
    Just how Left is the Leftmedia? Just three of the White House press pool are GOP.
    The GOP spending bill is essentially a total concession to Democrats. Why?
    Daily Features: Top Headlines, Cartoons, Columnists and Short Cuts.

THE FOUNDATION

“We are firmly convinced, and we act on that conviction, that with nations as with individuals our interests soundly calculated will ever be found inseparable from our moral duties, and history bears witness to the fact that a just nation is trusted on its word when recourse is had to armaments and wars to bridle others.” —Thomas Jefferson (1805)

TOP RIGHT HOOKS

Trump’s Message to Kim1

In an interview on Monday with Bloomberg News, Donald Trump said something that left many shaking their heads in disbelief or rolling their eyes over yet another instance of his verbal incontinence. Shocking, we know. Trump mused, “If it would be appropriate for me to meet with [North Korean dictator Kim Jong Un], I would absolutely. I would be honored to do it.” He continued, “If it’s under … the right circumstances. But I would do that.”

When it comes to ad-lib remarks in interviews, much like his unrefined use of Twitter (which thankfully is now subject to some moderation), Trump still is prone to forget that every word he says will be trumpeted around the world. At issue specifically was Trump’s use of the word “honored” in his reference to North Korea’s ruthless dictator. Once again, many pounced on Trump’s words as further evidence of his supposed admiration of strong men. Coming on the heels of his promise to invite murderous Philippine dictator Rodrigo Duterte and Turkey’s budding tyrant Tayyip Erdogan to the White House, this is understandable. But that’s also an overly simplistic assessment that misses the purpose behind Trump’s statement. Listen for what he means not what he says.

Clearly, Trump is aiming to diffuse an increasingly tense situation. His offer of a conditional olive branch toward Kim — and make no mistake, any meeting is absolutely conditional on North Korea’s behavior — coupled with his flatting reference to Kim as a “smart cookie,” are designed to lay ground work for a potential diplomatic solution. And while Trump’s words may have little impact on Kim, it plays well with China, the most important player in helping the U.S. clamp down on the despot John McCain more accurately labeled the “crazy fat kid.”

Showing honor, especially to those in positions of authority, is of great importance to the cultures of the Far East. Trump’s statements play to the Eastern ear as a serious and respectful expression for seeking a diplomatic solution. And while Westerners justifiably hear Trump’s words as foolish, the desired aim of de-escalating the growing conflict is not so careless. It’s also important to note that Trump’s statements were made at the same time as the U.S. military announced that the Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) Missile Shield in South Korea is now operational2. That is no coincidence.

Finally, in the highly unlikely event that the Kim regime actually capitulates to the U.S. and the rest of the world’s demand of nuclear disarmament, a bilateral meeting between the U.S. and North Korea would be a significant change in longstanding U.S. policy. That may end up being far more consequential than Trump’s verbal blunder.

It’s Called the Leftmedia for a Reason3

We in our humble shop often refer to the mainstream media as the Leftmedia. Why? For starters, the Leftmedia — despite its supposed allegiance to impartiality — has its own narrative through which “journalism” and “reporting” must pass muster. Secondly, there are the sheer numbers. Conservatives are significantly outnumbered in the field. According to a new poll4, out of 63 reporters in the White House press corps, a mere 5% — or three individuals — are registered as Republicans. Five percent.

Believe it or not, this is actually an improvement. In 2016, Republicans weren’t represented at all. This year, 16% of White House reporters register as Democrats. But that doesn’t tell the whole story. As for those who claim to be “independent” or non-registered (37% for both groups, the highest of any other), it’s just about impossible not to conclude that most of them are closet Democrats. Some clues are found in the same poll. For example, when asked, “Which reporter does the best job covering Trump?” the press corps gave reporters from The New York Times, CNN and The Washington Post the top honors in five of the top six slots. Just one reporter represents a more right-leaning outlet (Fox News). And as far as “Which outlet does the best job?” the Post, Times and CNN came in first, second and third place, respectively. These aren’t exactly “impartial” news sources.

Yet the Leftmedia is still on defense. On Saturday, White House Correspondents' Association president Jeff Mason — who is still bitter over Donald Trump’s decision to forgo the annual dinner — vehemently insisted, “We are not fake news. We are not failing news organizations. And we are not the enemy of the American people.” We think he doth protest too much. After all, if that’s true, why did he recruit The Daily Show’s Hasan Minhaj as the keynote jokester? As Gary Bauer points out, Minhaj is a fake reporter5 for Comedy Central. This is the wrong way to prove legitimacy. In the end, the Trump bashing6 only re-affirmed America’s perception of the biased Leftmedia.

Top Headlines7

    1,665 pages: GOP spending bill longer than Obama’s stimulus. (CNS News8.)

    Pro-lifers condemn “beyond frustrating” spending bill funding Planned Parenthood. (The Washington Times9)

    White House advisers express confidence GOP has votes to pass health care bill. (CBS News10)

    Trump weighs breaking up Wall Street banks, raising U.S. gas tax. (Bloomberg11)

    Trump’s agriculture chief tosses out Michelle Obama’s school lunch rules. (The Daily Signal12)

    Fox News co-president Bill Shine out; Suzanne Scott named president of programming. (The Hill13)

    Bret Stephens gives climate-change alarmists advice, and the Left erupts. (National Review14)

    May Day protests: More than 40 arrests made in nationwide marches. (Fox News15)

    Female FBI agent married Islamic State terrorist she was investigating. (Hot Air16)

    Gun sales remain near record levels in April. (The Washington Free Beacon17)

    Policy: Massive spending bill fails to meet conservative priorities. (The Daily Signal18.)

    Policy: Repeal and replace Dodd-Frank, but be wary of Wall Street. (Washington Examiner19)

For more, visit Patriot Headline Report20.
Don’t Miss Patriot Humor

Check out Pyramid Scheme21.

If you’d like to receive Patriot Humor by email, update your subscription here22.

FEATURED RIGHT ANALYSIS
The Establishment Republican Spending Epidemic23

By Paul Albaugh

Congressional negotiators in Washington reached a deal to fund the federal government through September, and it must pass by Friday to prevent a shutdown. Not that it’s surprising, but the spending bill is not at all conservative — in fact it resembles something Democrats would have sent to Barack Obama, who would have been delighted to sign it. To be sure, this spending bill is causing grassroots conservatives to wonder what it’s going to take to win real spending reform in the Swamp.

Democrats Chuck Schumer and Nancy Pelosi hailed the bill as a victory for Democrats. “Overwhelmingly, we were very pleased with the outcome — issue after issue,” boasted Schumer during his victory lap. “I would not say there’s a major loss in here.” And he has a legitimate point.

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The Patriot Post Digest 5-2-2017
From The Federalist Patriot
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The legislation does not provide24 any further funding for a border fence along our southern border with Mexico. It does not eliminate money from “sanctuary cities” that fail to comply with federal immigration law. It does not cut funding at all for Planned Parenthood’s abortion mills. In addition, the deal cuts only 1% of the EPA’s budget and actually increases clean energy and science funding for the agency.

Sure, Republicans were able to increase defense spending25 by $15 billion, but Donald Trump had requested $30 billion. Republicans were also able to squeeze in $1.5 billion in funding for border security, yet none of that funding is usable for building a border fence or adding additional Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents.

In fact, Democrats claim that they were able to force Republicans26 to remove 160 riders, or policy measures, that Democrats considered “poison pills.” Republicans, in their all too familiar fashion, caved on pretty much everything over fear of a government shutdown. No wonder Democrats crowed that they’ll be able to block Trump’s legislative priorities in the future.

Nevertheless, on Monday, Trump declared, “We’re very happy with it,” adding that he would sign the bill if it remains “as we discussed.” What happened to Trump the Best Negotiator™ that we heard about during his campaign? Is this spending agreement really the best possible deal? A $1.1 trillion omnibus bill that maintains the status quo is certainly not what we would call sound fiscal policy, nor is it draining the swamp.

Maybe Trump really did get tired of all the winning.

So what happened? ObamaCare repeal failed. What does this spending bill do about ObamaCare? The White House agreed last week to continue paying out subsidies, which will go to insurance companies with the intent of reducing out of pocket expenses for low-income earners under the grossly misnamed “Affordable” Care Act.

Herein is one of the problems endemic with establishment27 Republicans in Congress. They had an opportunity to do something with ObamaCare but didn’t. Could it be that there are plenty of so-called moderate Republicans in Congress who actually like ObamaCare and don’t intend to do much about it? Based on their actions, it’s a strong possibility28.

The ObamaCare-repeal wreckage caused an unnecessary pile-up29 of legislation — including priorities like the budget and tax reform that were dependent on health care reform — and Republicans feel they must give Democrats everything they want in order to avoid further embarrassment.

Which brings us to another problem. Trump has promised to “drain the swamp” and he’s certainly undoing a lot of Obama’s executive overreach, but he isn’t ideologically committed to cutting the size and scope of the federal government. He just doesn’t ever seem to care about actual policy. He also promises to spend a whole lot of money and to never touch the real debt drivers — entitlements. And as for draining the swamp, surely he knew that entrenched Democrats and Republicans alike would fight back. There are too many career politicians and lobbyists from both parties who will never willingly relinquish their power and influence.

So what next? Trump and Republicans in Congress need to establish a pattern of small victories — small victories toward repealing ObamaCare, small victories on budget and tax reform, small victories on immigration policy. Major battles and major policy changes aren’t as likely unless some small battles and small policy changes happen first. Trump always liked promising that things would happen “so fast.” But in politics, changes in policy and major reform rarely happen fast.

There is, of course, still time for the negotiator in chief and Congress to accomplish things like ObamaCare repeal and tax reform. Then they can come back to the budget in September fresh off real legislative victories. But let’s be honest: Their track record is not encouraging.

MORE ANALYSIS FROM THE PATRIOT POST

    The Leftist War on Ideas30 — They’re used to bullying their way along, because that’s an easy substitute for the arduous work of intellectual persuasion.
    Ecofascist March Is Really About Bullying & Rebellion31 — Yet another march for government control. And, go figure, it has George Soros' fingerprints all over it.
    Ghosts in Afghanistan32 — Billions of taxpayer dollars have been lost to fraud over the course of the war, as we’ve paid people who don’t exist.

BEST OF RIGHT OPINION

    Dennis Prager: Will the Second Civil War Turn Violent?33
    Cal Thomas: Exploiting the Presidency34
    Gary Bauer: What a Contrast5

For more, visit Right Opinion35.

OPINION IN BRIEF

Dennis Prager: “Left-wing thugs engage in violence and threats of violence with utter impunity. They shut down speakers at colleges; block highways, bridges and airport terminals; take over college buildings and offices; occupy state capitals; and terrorize individuals at their homes. In order to understand why more violence may be coming, it is essential to understand that left-wing mobs are almost never stopped, arrested or punished. … So, here’s a prediction: If college presidents, mayors and police chiefs won’t stop left-wing mobs, other Americans will. I hope this doesn’t happen, because electing conservative Republicans and not donating money to colleges will be more effective. But it is almost inevitable. Then the left-wing media — the mainstream media — will enter hysteria mode with reports that ‘right-wing fascists’ are violently attacking America. And that’s when mayors and college presidents will finally order in the police.”

SHORT CUTS

Insight: “Justice in the hands of the powerful is merely a governing system like any other. Why call it justice? Let us rather call it injustice, but of a sly effective order, based entirely on cruel knowledge of the resistance of the weak, their capacity for pain, humiliation and misery.” —Georges Bernanos (1888-1948.)

For the record: “The new federal spending bill proposed in the Republican-controlled Congress to fund the government through the end of September … is 1,665 pages long and includes an average of approximately 210 words per page. That makes this bill approximately 350,000 words long — or about twice as long as the stimulus law … that President Barack Obama signed less than a month after his inauguration in 2009.” —Terence Jeffrey (“Why is anybody voting Republican if this is what happens when we win?” —Rush Limbaugh)

Playing with fire: “If it would be appropriate for me to meet with [Kim Jong-Un] … I would be honored to do it if it’s … under the right circumstances.” —Donald Trump

Alpha Jackass: “God, what planet do they live on? I hope [Republicans] leave their bodies to science. I would like to cut them open.” —Sen. Elizabeth Warren

Braying Jackass: “President Bush — I never thought I would pray for the day that you were president again.” —Nancy Pelosi

Non Compos Mentis: “Our most important power is not the mister in the White House — I can’t even mention his name. The power is with all of you. No human being is illegal. We must treat everyone with dignity.” —DNC chief Tom Perez, whose supposed compassion for humans doesn’t include babies inside the womb

And last… “Instead of fighting the inhumane treatment of gays outside of the West, the top human rights issue for LGBT activists is making sure we don’t hurt feelings of people who dispute the definition of being gay.” —Taylor Fogarty

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.