Who Do We Like?

Rand Paul wins the CPAC straw poll with Scott Walker second.

I am so Anybody But Hillary (GOOO, JWebb!) I can barely approach this topic and I have no interest in bashing any of the current crop of Republicans, but I prefer governors over Senators, what with the executive experience and all, which means Ted Cruz, Rand Paul and Marco Rubio move well down on my list.

And as engaging as he is, politics isn't brain surgery, so Ben Carson will have to hang around as a VP possibility. And on that topic, Jodi Ernst will run for President one day (if she were a Democrat it would be this day) but she is young, time is on her side and I imagine she will get VP chatter but that's it.

But enough with the prevarication and on to the equivocation! I will be all-in for whoever we nominate but my pick du jour is Scott Walker. And he has already driven the media insane, so he has that going for him.

AND BACK TO THE PREVARICATION...  This Times article from last week may represent a straw in the wind:

Emails to Florida Reporters Show a Jeb Bush Eager to Engage

The gist - Jeb Bush is willing to talk to reporters. That means that they will prefer him over other Republicans and may give him a bit of a shoulder ride, like John McCain v.2000. His position on immigration (and general post-American demeanor) will also helps his positioning as the progressive reporter's favorite Republican.

Obviously, at crunch time all the MSM will back Hillarity!, but the possibility that they will do so with reduced zeal may count for something. MAYBE. Does that more than offset the reduced conservative zeal a Bush candidacy will attract? Probably not.

Comments

[Walter]

Go Walker!

[henry]

I'm all for the current internecine blood letting amongst the Dems: Hillary & Rahm vs the AA contingent, DWS & gems vs all comers, etc.

On the R side, a diffuse target map should help for a while -- even though Walker is drawing all the incoming rounds right now. Not Jeb, but a governor seems right until Pence, Kasich, Christy, or Huckabee dive in.

[Centralcal on iPad]

Count me in the Walker camp.

[Centralcal on iPad]

Clarice is just excellent this morning and I urge everyone to read her Pieces.

[jimmyk]

Jeb has drawn the wrong lesson from his father's error:

Jeb Bush 'Will Not Sign Any Pledges' in 2016

[AliceH]

@TheRickWilson just tweeted Every CPAC Story today. I consolidated them for you. Oh, er, "spoilers!":

Before the Sunday shows begin, here's your quick CPAC Trope-A-Palooza
1. "At CPAC Candidate X said Y and is now totally disqualified."
2. "At CPAC, issue group X was there, and now the GOP is doomed."
3. "At CPAC, group X wasn't there, and now the GOP is doomed."
4. "At CPAC, X a dude in a Colonial Costume was the Most Important Story."
5. "At CPAC, candidate X stated policy Y and now ALL Republicans must own that policy for all time."
6. "At CPAC, candidate X didn't address issue Y and must therefore be asked about it every day for all eternity."
7. "CPAC is more conservative than America."
8. "CPAC is much more conservative than America.
9. "CPAC is super OMG more conservative..."
[ed: there was no 10]
11. "The people we saw at CPAC could barely contain their blood-fanged rascism/sexism/homophobia/dislike of modernity"
12. "We discovered young conservatives at CPAC are hooking up like wild beasts. ONLY LIBERALS HAVE GOOD SEX!"
13. "CPAC is the perfect avatar of everything wrong with the GOP, the conservative movement, and every GOP candidate, ever."

[boatbuilder]

PD--Prayers and best wishes for your MIL.

[boatbuilder]

Captain--I am a huge John Hiatt fan. (Although I have never seen him play--I don't get out much).

[Miss Marple]

Another Bob,

When I posted my comment on Fournier I was only going from his tweets. Had not read the Trib article, which was quite good.

I have to admit that I am irritated with Fournier almost constantly, due to his passive-aggressive way of framing issues and deliberately ignoring flaws in the democrats which he seems to spot only on the conservative side.

[Captain Hate]

boatbuilder, I was listening to his new release, Terms of My Surrender, last night. He has been incredibly prolific with new cds for quite a while but my faves are the ones he did for A&M in the 80s and early 90s, particularly Bring the Family, which is when I saw him.

[clarice]

Thank you, CC. As for whomever the press touts, I'm for Walker. (I can see the narrative now--Mr. Smith goes to Washington redux.)

[Captain Hate]

Late for Rove News Sunday. Scott Walker is being grilled by commie Chris Wallace and kicking his pansy ass. Just physically eradicate this shitstain.

[Captain Hate]

Wallace accusing Walker of flip flopping on Right to Work which Walker corrects his ignorant misconception. Very poorly prepared with these questions imo.

[Lazybusy]

I cannot get over the story of the blind IRS employee assigned to the Lerner investigation. This story can't be allowed to die. I feel personally insulted. Do they really think we are that stupid or are they just that arrogant and just sticking it in our faces. The NYT should just call time out from their usual mod of operendi and insist on transparency on this issue.
I know, I'am terribly naieve.

[Captain Hate]

Walker for enforcing the law and not amnesty. He says he's changed since 2013.

[Jane]

John Kerry says "We've never had closer ties with Israel".

[henry]

Wallace is just reading SEIU talking points... little puppet.

[Miss Marple]

Obama Administration's "close ties with Israel" is similar to a millstone being tied around Israel's neck.

[Jane]

Very poorly prepared with these questions imo.

Wallace not Walker, right? I thought Walker was great.

[Captain Hate]

Wallace doing his best in how he phrases his questions to make Walker look like a religious zealot. STFU tool.

Oh dear God, that panel has Jane Harman and K-Pork (who from her picture confirms Jane's opinion that she had some ill considered work done to get her husband to stop staring at Sarah Palin, breaking the television would have been a better choice) to discuss Bibi's visit.

[AliceH]

I like John Hiatt. Can't count the number of songs I've liked from various performers that turned out to have been written by him.

On a different wavelength, a comment on twitter yesterday resulted in my getting lost in the youtube forest of Herb Alpert and The Tijuana Brass numbers. Marvelous stuff!

I was not surprised to learn that Herb Alpert is not actually Hispanic, but I would never have guessed he is the son of Jewish immigrants from The Ukraine and Romania. His wiki bio is amazing.

[Captain Hate]

Yes, Walker was outstanding, Jane, parrying every gotcha.

[AliceH]

the ones he did for A&M

Wow. So not so different a wavelength after all!

[Miss Marple]

http://nypost.com/2015/03/01/terrorists-using-ebay-and-reddit-to-send-coded-messages-mossad/

This caught my eye. It would be very easy to do, as eBay doesn't monitor listings except for you are reported for selling endangered species, drugs, or Nazi memorabilia. (See listings of haunted dolls, voodoo charms, love potions, etc.)

One time I had a customer difect me to a store in which everything was ridiculously overpriced, asking me how someone could stay in business like that. (When I say ridiculously overpriced, I mean an Avon bottle listed for $500.00, for example.)

My very first thought was money laundering, using Paypal.

However, I can see that you could encode information in a listing like that, then overprice it so that people wouldn't buy it and remove it from your site.

[Ben]

The former Soviet president Gorbachov points to those who will gain from Nemtsov's death:

Asked if he thought anti-Russian forces abroad might exploit the crime in pursuit of their own ends, he argued this would definitely happen.

"Of course, certain forces will try to take advantage of this crime for their own ends - all of them are thinking how to get rid of Putin, aren't they? But I don't think, after all, that the West will go as far as that, that it will use that crime to attain its own purposes. However, that was unquestionably the goal of the criminals who murdered Boris," he said.

http://www.moonofalabama.org/

Gorby gives the West a pass, again.

[Captain Hate]

Dear God, K-Pork looks like Beaker on the Muppets.

Jason Riley: Bibi is worried about the existence of Israel and people boycotting are giving comfort to the enemy. Harman: Democrats love Israel too but the timing is poor by Netanyahu; what a fucking witch. K-Pork: 404 is lying about this being partisan which Riley expands upon. Charles Lane: ultimate deadline is June and any deal might fall apart. Harman: Congress can't be kept out of having input to the deal and there has to be a strong deal or no deal. Lane: Iran has benefited from the turmoil which 404 has unleashed. Riley: 404 can't lead which Bibi and Putin. Jane Harman shills for 404 putting together this great coalition of which there's not an iota of evidence. K-Pork: 404 isn't getting played by Iran but he's being a "let's all talk" instead of leading.

[Captain Hate]

Yes Hiatt has been a prolific song writer; you could probably put together an extensive collection of hits that other people have had with his songs.

[Captain Hate]

Steve Scalise on about funding DHS; says Senate democrats need to get grilled on supporting illegal amnesty and stop blocking a conference with the House. He says Pelosi was lying about there will be a full funding passed and states point blank there won't be one.

[Jane]

Hugh Hewitt on the MTP panel.

[Captain Hate]

LOL @ Wallace saying Scalise was a Tea Party favorite. What an idiot.

[Danube on iPad]

I think Pope Francis is nuts.

[Captain Hate]

I'll say this for Scalise; he doesn't miss a chance to call 404's amnesty "illegal". Plus he's corrected Wallace on everything except the Tea Party thing.

Wallace asks if we're ready to bomb Iran. WTF?

[Miss Marple]

danube,

I quit following the Vatican as it was just getting me upset.

I figure we survived the Borgias, we will survive Francis.

[Jane]

BOehner on FTN and doing a good job explaining Obama and how he says one thing and does another. The moderator is all freaked out about the thought of "boots on the ground".

[Captain Hate]

Blah blah David Duke blah. Can we talk about what a trash show 60 Minutes was led by Mike Wallace?

[Captain Hate]

A Jesuit Pope; what could go wrong?

[henry]

Between Walker, the WSJ guy on the panel, and Scalise Wallace is so beat up his hammer & sickle underwear is showing.

[Miss Marple]

Thanks for the heads up on Fox News Sunday! I will watch the replay this afternoon.

[Captain Hate]

I'd rather watch reruns of Tony Snow moderating the show when it had some integrity.

[Old Lurker]

Ah...Tony Snow...

Class Act

[Captain Hate]

Beaker: the Repubs are looking like they can't govern and it's all the Tea Party's fault. She laughs at her own unfunny comments. Lane: echoes the WSJ's quisling argument that they should approve everything and let the judge to the heavy lifting. Harman: put the whole funding bill and somehow this is putting America first. Harman: claims to be bothered by Rodham's contributions from bad countries and says her foundation doesn't do that crap. Riley: the appearance is terrible from somebody who loves to hector us on just how bad the Citizens United decision were. Beaker: it looks terrible. Lane: this is just more of the same. Harman and Beaker: the Clinton crime family's foundation has done a lot of good work without naming one specific example.

And that's a wrap on Rove News Sunday

[Captain Hate]

I really don't understand why Kathleen Parker had the work done that she did; she wasn't unattractive before despite what I thought of her opinions. Now she just looks unnatural.

[Rick Ballard]

I agree with TM's preference for governors over senators as President. Reading today's Pieces is a reminder that the next President is going to have to deal with the aftermath of the collapse of yet another progressive global village idiot fantasy, compounded by the exhaustion of the OPM supply necessary to maintain even the flimsiest facade on the charade.

The choice before us is between a governor who successfully pursued a correct course in the face of intense opposition and one who embraces elements of the charade in an effort to broaden support among the witless.

It's really not a tough call - until you acknowledge the fact that it's the witless who will swing the election.

[rse]

Tony Snow was a fine product of my alma mater before it became devoted to transformational social change.

Go wildcats!!

[boatbuilder]

Hiatt--"Bring the Family" is a classic--Memphis in the Meantime, Your Dad Did, Stood up. I think that "The Tiki Bar is Open" has some great stuff (other than that long pseudo-psychadelic thing). He's put out some duds, too, but there is so much to choose from. How do you like the new one?

[Janet]

I'm not a believer in that "governors are better than senators" idea anymore. Obama has gotten plenty done & he was a Senator that didn't have experience in anything.
What seems to matter more is the President's team. Who is coming to DC with the candidate & are they strong, smart, & real conservatives?
The candidate mostly has to be smart, ornery, & well spoken. IMO. Good looking would be a plus too....

[Neo]

THE internet is stuffed with garbage. Anti-vaccination websites make the front page of Google, and fact-free "news" stories spread like wildfire. Google has devised a fix – rank websites according to their truthfulness.

... what could go wrong ? .. everything

[Ignatz]

A truly great Pieces, clarice, especially when coupled with Wretchard's latest, as linked by Janet.

We have no idea what the latent consequences of this fool traitor and his gang of anti American Quislings will bring.
Best case; a regional war.
Worst case; use your imagination, but it probably won't be sufficient.

Ben's revolting, serial defenses of Putin, defamations of Ukraine and laying Putinism at the West's door, not because it is overly solicitous of the tyrant, but because it has dared respond even tepidly, is a perfect synopsis of the self loathing, enervated West that Wretchard describes.

The world has a fever and the elected leader of the free world has a cure; pour on the coal and embrace and breath deep the contagion.

[Buckeye]

CH

I am sure Wallace's comment about bombing Iran was intended to stir up crap.

Wouldn't bother me.

I would advocate giving Iran 24 hours to let OUR inspectors in, no UN flunkies. If they didn't cooperate, make it clear every day they didn't meant losing significant assets.

Sinking their Naval fleet would be a good start.

[Miss Marple]

Regarding Putin:

It amazes me that no one in the foreign policy establishment (and this goes back to the Bush administration)) didn't consider making Russia an ALLY.

At the very least, the Bush policy of treating Russia with respect but keeping them aware we would be firm was better than what we have now.

We had a window of opportunity in which we could have forged an alliance, before Putin gained so much dictatorial power. And perhaps if Russia's inherent paranoia about the west hadn't been encouraged, maybe things wouldn't be in such a bad state now.

Well, no use crying over spilled milk.

[Captain Hate]

The new one is just fine; nothing spectacular but not a dud, It, like the last few releases, have been on New West which has kind of an Americana ethos to it of which there's always been an element in his compositions but on this label gets accentuated imo.

[Miss Marple]

Ignatz,

I see you and I are coming from different points of view.

I dislike the tepid reactions we have now, and I do not blame the US for Putin's rise.

However, anyone with an ounce of memory about Russia knows they will, if given the chance, expand their borders. This is historical fact.

And if you are going to guarantee the defense of a country (Ukraine) then you should guarantee it, not talk.

Putin has been encouraged to act by the tepid response. I also think we could have forged an agreement with him back in the Bush years. I distinctly remember Putin giving some evidence to Bush about Madeline Albright's ignoring of Russia's overtures tot he West.

I also wonder what value to Putin the assassination right in front of the Kremlin provided. Seems to me the guy getting hit by a car or poisoned would have been less public.

[Captain Hate]

It amazes me that no one in the foreign policy establishment (and this goes back to the Bush administration)) didn't consider making Russia an ALLY.

I don't think there was really an opportunity. The best progress was made under Reagan who must've driven the State Dept quislings more insane than usual.

[anonamom]

I always know clarice has an exceptional piece when I get it
emailed to me, as I have three times already this morning.

it is outstanding!

[Extraneus]

I'm with Janet on the governor thing. Experience is over-rated. It's qualities that count.

Basic beliefs. Toughness. Integrity. Patriotism.

[Miss Marple]

Extraneus,

Those things are the most important. However, a skill set in negotiating and administering is still something to be considered.

[AliceH]

I don't object to reporters and TV hosts asking dumb or liberal-sounding questions of politicians. I see it as an opportunity for the politician to both illuminate for the audience of the false premises or bias built into the question AND deliver a solid answer on the question that ought to have been asked.

It really doesn't help conservatives to have Fox news guys appear as sympathetic or even "fair". Their responses should always be delivered with the audience, not the interviewer, in mind. From CH's summary, sounds to me as though that's exactly what Walker did with Wallace. Good.

[boatbuilder]

Putin has always shown, like most bullies, that he will push things just as hard as he can until someone pushes back. Then he consolidates and waits for the next opportunity. The current US regime is an easy mark.

I don't think that making him an ally was ever a realistic possibility, though it was certainly attempted; remember Bush looking into his eyes and the Obama "Reset" disasters. This is the guy who still has the Super Bowl ring he stole from Bob Kraft (Not to be confused with the two that Eli Manning stole;-)).

[Extraneus]

Romney was great at negotiating and administering. Very excellent governor experience. He had some issues with basic beliefs, though. As in: nobody really knew what they were.

No Democrat ever had the slightest doubt about Obama's values, no matter what he said about gay marriage or any other thing. They knew he was a true lefty and they loved him for it and still do. Experience had nothing to do with it.

And like Janet said, he got a lot done.

[Captain Hate]

I like governors because it's an executive position and not the collegial type of dithering that occurs in the Senate, for example. That's not to say that a Senator can't rise above that but it's making a guess on it. Obviously 404 is ready to act on things he likes and dithers on everything else.

Yes, Walker did a fine job of using adversarial questions to his advantage.

[Captain Hate]

In The Great Upheaval, Jay Winik argues persuasively that Russia's best chance for liberalization probably ended with the French Revolution which spooked Catherine the Great, who was a liberal at heart, from moving toward granting what we consider basic human rights. That ultimately set the stage for the Bolshevik revolution.

[jimmyk]

I don't object to reporters and TV hosts asking dumb or liberal-sounding questions of politicians.

Yeah, the bigger problems are the gotcha-style "When did you stop beating your wife?" questions, or the softball questions to liberal pols. The latter remind me of sports reporters asking questions of victorious athletes like "How great a moment is this?"

Still, it's remarkably how bad some Rs are at schooling these dumb reporters.

[Captain Hate]

Miss Marple, have you heard about this?

http://weaselzippers.us/215706-indiana-parents-furious-over-data-mining-survey-school-gave-to-students-as-young-as-fifth-grade/

[Jane on Ipad]

Chris Czilla was all over the "we need a president with foreign policy experience" meme, knowing full well Hillary alone fits that bill. I guess being good at it is not a requirement.

On CNN some shrew that replaced Candy Crowley was a shrill shill for the left who got very close to harassing Jim Jordon. He handled her well.

[Rick Ballard]

Putin lacks the requisite attachment to fantasy to make a decent ally in farcical undertakings. Xi, Modi, Khamenei and Sisi have a much better understanding of his actions than do those living in Dreamland.

He sacrificed Daffy and got Libyan oil off the market, he noted the IMF theft in Crete and resolved to prevent another robbery attempt in Ukraine. Those aren't "complex" moves, they're the moves of a man who understands the fragility of the global village fantasy and is unwilling to participate in its sustenance. Xi and Modi are both on the same page as Putin and will remain so until the fantasy collapses.

[Captain Hate]

Chris Czilla was all over the "we need a president with foreign policy experience" meme, knowing full well Hillary alone fits that bill.

Leaving a trail of Corona empties across the globel

[Miss Marple]

Captain Hate,

Thanks! I just ran across that on Twitter.

School boards ned to do closer supervision of things like this, if you ask me. We just had a scandal where a 6th grade class all wrote letters supporting Glenda Ritz, the democrat Secretary of Education and insulting Governor Pence (who I don't like, but that's beside the point).

The letters were sent to legislators and accused Pence of behaving like a dictator, how she should not have any power removed, etc.

When called on it, the teacher said it was a class project suggested by the students after the issue being in the headlines.

Obvious lie on several counts, especially since all letters used the same phrases and all reflected the same point of view.

I object to kids being used to make political points, or used to glean personal information. Very creepy stuff.

[Ignatz]

MM, I seriously question that it was ever possible to make Russia a meaningful ally when our interests invariably diverge greatly.
Bears either eat you or fear you.

[jimmyk]

I like governors because it's an executive position and not the collegial type of dithering that occurs in the Senate, for example.

Journalists don't seem to understand this, and will continue to badger candidates about their knowledge of foreign countries, etc. As OL pointed out in the last thread, candidates need to be comfortable staying focused on their governing philosophies, their ability to rely on the expertise of others, and not feel like they have to play Jeopardy with idiot journalists.

[Captain Hate]

When called on it, the teacher said it was a class project suggested by the students after the issue being in the headlines.

Disgusting excuse. The teacher is paid to set the agenda which she obviously was doing here and needs to be called on why students' time is being wasted on this.

[Ignatz]

--As in: nobody really knew what they were.--

I wonder if he even did.

[clarice]

Thanks, Ig and anonamom

[clarice]

Several reports from different viewpoints to the effect that the Italian navy is alongside the coast of Libya. I think it's to stop boatloads of immigrants landing on their shore where the EU requires they support them.
Also a credible report that Mossad is working with the Saudis to knock off Iran.

[Cecil Turner]

Bears either eat you or fear you.

My view as well. Our interests are such that the best we can attain on most issues is to agree to disagree. In fact I think that "reset" button silliness was exactly such an attempt to forge a don't worry be happy relationship that ignored Realpolitik. It was doomed to ignominious failure even if they'd managed it competently.

The only thing I sorta agree with peaceniks on this one with is that it's unwise to poke the twitchy nuclear power unnecessarily. To that end, I consider the NATO expansion into former Warsaw Pact countries a bit aggressive and borderline unwise (especially since there's no real military credibility beyond a weak self-defense that could raise the cost of Russian aggression). But that's practically the only Bush-era policy the Obama Admin has continued.

As with the rest of Obama's grand strategy (or absence thereof), the engagement with Russia has been completely incoherent. The only good thing about it is that it's hard to guess where they're going next. So we got that going for us . . . which is nice.

[Eric in Boise]

Via Drudge, some icing on the Israel/Bibi cake:

http://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/191966

Is this a reliable news source?

[jimmyk]

Supposing Obama makes some toothless agreement with Iran, and Congress fails to override Obama's veto of legislation giving them say on the agreement, wouldn't the next President be in a position to abrogate the agreement and reimpose sanctions? It would be strange for one President to be able to tie the hands of his successor, especially as it is not a treaty ratified by the Senate.

[rich@gmu]

Posted by: Miss Marple | March 01, 2015 at 11:35 AM -

the course with Russia was set in stone when Bill Clinton was bonding with Boris Yelsin over their respective personal dysfunctions and the 90's attempts at shock therapy (which were cast as economic warfare against the Russian people). There was little we could have done but a less starry-eyed approach would have been helpful.

Great pieces Clarice.

[jimmyk]

Is this a reliable news source?

I believe it is fairly reliable, though in this case I know nothing of the reliability of its source.

[AliceH]

Heh. My calendar just reminded me that today is the day to aerate and overseed my (new) lawn. The 10" of global warming (4" or so added last night) make that unlikely to happen.

[rich@gmu]

Posted by: jimmyk | March 01, 2015 at 12:58 PM -

iirc the Clinton Administration had made a big show of signing some stupid environmental treaty which the Bush Administration quickly "unsigned".

I suspect that the Iranians already have a working bomb design and could probably put a few together but don't have a reliable or useful delivery system. The problem is that they have a strong apocalyptic faction in government that might not be dissuaded by MAD.

[maryd]

I quit following the Vatican as it was just getting me upset. I figure we survived the Borgias, we will survive Francis.

Posted by: Miss Marple | March 01, 2015 at 10:41 AM

A Jesuit Pope; what could go wrong?

Posted by: Captain Hate | March 01, 2015 at 10:43 AM <\i>

Just catching up -- thanks for making my day MM and Captain. LOL

[maryd]

I quit following the Vatican as it was just getting me upset. I figure we survived the Borgias, we will survive Francis.

Posted by: Miss Marple | March 01, 2015 at 10:41 AM

A Jesuit Pope; what could go wrong?

Posted by: Captain Hate | March 01, 2015 at 10:43 AM

Just catching up -- thanks for making my day MM and Captain. LOL

[rich@gmu]

>>>
Is this a reliable news source?

Posted by: Eric in Boise | March 01, 2015 at 12:56 PM <<<

a quote from a quote ... I'm skeptical of the article but it wouldn't surprise me if it were true. Call it an exception to not trusting "fake, but accurate" sourcing.

[Captain Hate]

Fixed?

[maryd]

Sorry for the above double post and italics. Typepad is out to get me.

[rich@gmu]

fixed ...

[maryd]

Thanx for having my back, Captain.

[Another Bob]

Miss Marple | March 01, 2015 at 09:38 AM

No argument here re. Fournier. Garden variety MSM and always has been.

[exdemocrat]

Obama's naked attempt to guarantee a path to nukedom for Jarrett's pals in Tehran - by shooting down Israeli fighter planes, if necessary - is surely just another valid exercise of his 'prosecutorial discretion', no?

/sarc off

[rich@gmu]

some people just want to watch the world burn.

[Ignatz]

--To that end, I consider the NATO expansion into former Warsaw Pact countries a bit aggressive and borderline unwise...--

It is especially unwise as the world sees it is unlikely or at least plausibly unlikely we would actually defend some or all of the new NATO states in a meaningful way.

[clarice]

http://www.jewishpress.com/news/kuwait-paper-obama-threatened-to-fire-on-israeli-planes-attacking-iran/2015/03/01/

This provides s bit more background on the Kuwait report. Why was it leaked now and to a Kuwaiti source?

[rich@gmu]

the workers paradise of Venezuela ... think the leader has just gone mad

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2973954/U-S-pilot-detained-Venezuela-accused-recruiting-citizens-stage-coup.html

... more smart diplomacy.

[clarice]

Dashes my plans for a Caracas holiday.

[Danube on iPad]

"wouldn't the next President be in a position to abrogate the agreement and reimpose sanctions?"

Yes.

[Miss Marple]

clarice,

I am worried about that story because the Kuwaitis are good at constructing hot-button stories.

On the other hand, if Israel wanted that story out and didn't want to say so directly, Kuwait would be a good source.

It also could be that the Kuwaitis overheard the radio traffic, which maybe they didn't want to admit except now they are getting really alarmed by Obama's actions.

The fact that it has been released as Netenyahu arrives is interesting. Also interesting is The Globe's sudden front page story that Obama is crazy.

I wish we lived in less interesting times.

[Captain Hate]

Maduro will look good on the wrong end of a meat hook.

[rich@gmu]

he is heading that way CH. before too long everyone will be out to get him and which point he's wore out his welcome. Am concerned though if they are in fact holding an American citizen.

[rich@gmu]

worn out ...

[Tonto]

Wonderful Pieces, Clarice, and important, too. Thanks again for doing this every week.