Bret Stephens argues we are overspending on a military preparing to fight the last war. He's probably right and we can only hope the future does not prove it.
Left unmentioned - the next Democratic Presidential nominee will have no trouble finding places to cut the defense budget. Sensible investments in our defense? There is a bipartisan blind spot when it comes to reform and re-direction:
So what stops it? The answer is what Brose’s old boss, the late John McCain, called the military-industrial-congressional complex.
“Military pilots and ship drivers are no more eager to lose their jobs to intelligent machines than factory workers are,” Brose writes. “Defense companies that make billions selling traditional systems are as welcoming of disruptions to their business model as the taxi cab industry has been of Uber and Lyft. And as all this resistance inevitably translates into disgruntled constituents, members of Congress will have enormous incentives to stymie change.”
When the top brass rose through the ranks aspiring to lead a carrier fleet it is harder to find someone pounding the table for unmanned drones. OK, that is an example of a weapon that has literally and figuratively taken off, but still - unmanned boats and subs ought to be off the drawing boards by now.
Seems these judges pop up where convenient for deep state:
Zoe Tillman @ZoeTillman
34m
And we're off. US District Judge Tanya Chutkan is on the bench for Maria Butina's sentencing hearing.
For a refresher on Butina's case and what she pleaded guilty to: buzzfeednews.com/article/zoetil…
Posted by: henry | April 26, 2019 at 10:43 AM
This is what the inside of Lucas Oil looked like at 7:10 AM. Video at link.
Posted by: MissMarple2 | April 26, 2019 at 10:45 AM
Thanks, JiB. I think the Florida/Ronald Reagan Turnpike is one of the ways Google Maps says to go.
Posted by: Tom Bowler | April 26, 2019 at 10:45 AM
Off to Awesome Con ( the big comic con here in DC).
If I don’t chicken out, I’ll meet Danielle Panabaker (Killer Frost on Thr Flssh) and give her a copy of one of my books, because she’s my first choice to play the heroine if I ever sell them to Hollywood.
Posted by: James D. | April 26, 2019 at 10:47 AM
TB,
Whatever works. Just know you are always welcomed.
Stephanie, I live in Port Charlotte.
Posted by: Jane | April 26, 2019 at 10:48 AM
A bit of fun, 1:42 in length
Trumperland: Lock 'em up!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DoCcGq31gNU
See how many faces you recognize.
Posted by: President-Elect Jim,SunnyvaleCA | April 26, 2019 at 10:48 AM
reporting sans white hat/black hat debate-- just Cain's view:https://www.westernjournal.com/hermancain/thursday-night-speech-rod-rosenstein-says-obama-administration-wasnt-front-russian-hacking/?utm_source=facebook&utm_medium=thenewvoice&fbclid=IwAR0Iervl4vGYBoD0fe5BCXifLtBGx2GoPTEGz170ZmqhcyI2_B7ihWPk8xQ
Posted by: clarice | April 26, 2019 at 10:48 AM
Thanks, clarice.
Forty Whiners liberal fans are not happy over their teams #1 draft pick Nick Bosa. He loves Trump and has said so publically. Thinks KipperSnack is a clown and has said so publically. Thinks Beyonce's music is trash and has said so publically.
The last time I saw the Deadskins was when they were coached by HOF Joe Gibbs v2.0 and playing the Niners back when they were really terrible under the dapper Terp, Dick Nolan. I had my kollidge roomie on one side and this *really* drunk younger guy on the other. There was a young couple of Niner fans sitting in front of us, maybe some staffers of short term Congress critters because these were nosebleed seats. Anyway the Skins completely dominated and we were singing Hail to the Redskins a lot and the man foothill next to me would always append "Forty Niners Suck" to everything. Every time he did that the woman's shoulders would tense up which made me think that a potential hilarious situation was brewing.
Sure enough, they saw enough by midway through the third quarter but during their leaving the woman gave the finger to the guy next to me along with screaming something incomprehensible about all Redskins fans. Needless to say the entire section erupted in laughter which only added to her humiliation as her male whatever tried to get her out and not looking forward to the rest of the day. I'm still laughing about it now.
Posted by: Captain Hate | April 26, 2019 at 10:50 AM
CH @ 10:26
Are you referring to my point that Horowitz/Huber, not Mueller, have jurisdiction over anything related to the Steele dossier and its usage in the FISA abuse scandal?
Posted by: Tom R | April 26, 2019 at 10:52 AM
Live stream for the President's speech:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6WIajulECEk
Posted by: MissMarple2 | April 26, 2019 at 10:53 AM
Donald J. Trump
Verified account @realDonaldTrump
2h2 hours ago
Heading to Indianapolis to speak at the big NRA Conference. Love being in Indiana. The @NRA is getting stronger & stronger and doing some really great and important work. Having their powerful support has been vital to #MAGA!
Posted by: MissMarple2 | April 26, 2019 at 10:57 AM
Yes, Tom; it's hard to see why that doesn't fall under Mueller's orders of what to investigate. Maybe it will eventually come out how this was handled.
Danielle Panabaker (Killer Frost on Thr Flssh)
She was one of the primary reasons I started watching the show until it went off the SJW ledge.
Posted by: Captain Hate | April 26, 2019 at 10:58 AM
Donald J. Trump
Verified account @realDonaldTrump
32m32 minutes ago
Just out: Real GDP for First Quarter grew 3.2% at an annual rate. This is far above expectations or projections. Importantly, inflation VERY LOW. MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN!
Posted by: MissMarple2 | April 26, 2019 at 10:58 AM
Stephanie, I live in Port Charlotte.
I know, Jane. I will be relying heavily on you to steer me away from the bad parts of town. :)
Shopping for homes on the RE search my realtor Sis in Law in Sarasota set up for me doesn't really show me if the area the homes are in are good areas or shitholes! I want a shithole house in a good area, not a shithole house in a shithole area. The house will be renovated, ain't much I can do to reno the neighborhood.
Posted by: Stephanie Nene Not Your Normal Granma | April 26, 2019 at 11:01 AM
John Havlicek, Boston Celtics legend, dead at 79
https://www.foxnews.com/sports/john-havlicek-boston-celtics-legend-dead-at-79
Posted by: mike in houston | April 26, 2019 at 11:01 AM
Clarice @ 10:48
I linked Rosenstein’s speech earlier in the thread. I agree with that writer’s observation about RR. I highly recommend everyone read the speech
BTW that was Cain’s website but the writer was Dan Calabrese.
Posted by: Tom R | April 26, 2019 at 11:02 AM
RIP Hondo. Teammate of Bobby Knight at tO$U.
Posted by: Captain Hate | April 26, 2019 at 11:07 AM
Zoe Tillman @ZoeTillman
2m
NOW: Maria Butina has been sentenced to 18 months in prison for conspiring to act as an agent for the Russian government in the United States (she will get credit for the 9 months she's already served)
Posted by: henry | April 26, 2019 at 11:09 AM
" ... show me if the area the homes are in are good areas or shitholes ..."
My rule of thumb is the quality of the schools that service the house's neighborhood.
More affluent people move into the better school zones.
Posted by: fdcol63 🇺🇸 | April 26, 2019 at 11:10 AM
CH @ 10:58
Going off memory but the Horowitz investigation into FISA abuse was originally initiated while Obama was president with the intent to investigate the details of why the FBI reopened the Hillary email server case after Weiners laptop was discovered. IMO the Obama criminal cabal wanted to nail Comey for doing that and hurting Hillary’s election chances. Once Trump took office the Horowitz investigation morphed into the FISA abuse scandal. Technically the Horowitz investigation started before McCabe’s investigation of Trump, Flynn, & Sessions and Mueller’s appointment so my assumption is that is why Horowitz/Huber had priority.
Posted by: Tom R | April 26, 2019 at 11:11 AM
From today's Torygraph: No big loss here.
"Jeremy Corbyn has turned down an invitation to attend a State banquet for Donald Trump when he visits Britain in June, Labour has confirmed.
The Labour leader on Friday refused to attend a dinner at Buckingham Palace with the US President, due to be held during his long-awaited State visit to Britain.
Mr Trump will arrive in the UK on June 3-5 to coincide with the 75th anniversary of D-Day, which will culminate in a commemoration event in Portsmouth.
The US President will also meet the Queen during his visit, and intends to “reaffirm the steadfast and special relationship” between the two countries.
However, Mr Corbyn has now confirmed he has declined an invitation to attend the State banquet, which is normally attended by the leaders of the main political parties and other British dignitaries.
In a statement, he said: “Theresa May should not be rolling out the red carpet for a State visit to honour a President who rips up vital international treaties, backs climate change denial and uses racist and misogynist rhetoric.
Theresa May and Donald Trump
“Maintaining an important relationship with the United States does not require the pomp and ceremony of a State visit. It is disappointing that the Prime Minister has again opted to kowtow to this US administration.
“I would welcome a meeting with President Trump to discuss all matters of interest.”
It came just hours after John Bercow, the Speaker of the House of Commons, was accused of disrespecting the Queen when he also rejected the invitation.
Mr Bercow sparked outcry in 2017 when he told MPs that he was “strongly opposed” to a State address by Mr Trump in Parliament, citing “opposition to racism and sexism” and describing an address as “an earned honour”, not an automatic right.
He is now under mounting pressure from ministers to reconsider, amid fears that another snub could seriously damage Britain's special relationship with the US.
Liberal Democrat leader Sir Vince Cable has also rejected the invitation."
Posted by: Jack is Back (Again)! | April 26, 2019 at 11:12 AM
TB, download WAZ to your cell phone--and trust it.
We use it all the time, even locally, and it is right up there with the turning water into wine miracle---and it is ALWAYS right.
I don't know how we'd have dealt with those insane streets coupled with traffic and construction issues otherwise when we were in DC recently.
Posted by: anonamom | April 26, 2019 at 11:13 AM
If you use the WAZE app be sure to have your phone plugged into your car’s USB charger because it drains the battery very fast.
Posted by: Tom R | April 26, 2019 at 11:18 AM
That metric can skew weirdly in areas that are heavy 55+ communities, fd.
I don't particularly want a 55+ community, but I specifically don't want an HOA at all. Yankee busy bodies whose judgments are already suspect for voting incorrectly have no business being all up in my meager property telling me what I can and can't do. :)
Besides, I might just put up the plastic flamingos and tacky garden gnomes in response. I'm ornery that way.
Posted by: Stephanie Nene Not Your Normal Granma | April 26, 2019 at 11:19 AM
Saw Avengers last night. Without posting any spoilers if I was writing the script for the Spygate movie one possible title would be MAGA:Endgame.
Posted by: Tom R | April 26, 2019 at 11:21 AM
https://cbs4indy.com/2019/04/26/president-trump-vp-pence-speak-at-nra-convention-in-indianapolis/
AF1 has just touched down. Live stream video on this site waiting for President to disembark.
Posted by: MissMarple2 | April 26, 2019 at 11:22 AM
Good point, Stephanie.
Posted by: fdcol63 🇺🇸 | April 26, 2019 at 11:26 AM
Greed of the taxman:
Part of that money will help benefit Wisconsin residents, when the state collects its income taxes for this win. It is estimated the state will receive a $36.4 million.
https://www.channel3000.com/news/money/state-senator-wants-lottery-windfall-dedicated-to-improve-local-roads/1072096070
Posted by: henry | April 26, 2019 at 11:30 AM
Were we aware of this: From Sean Davis Twitter Feed
More
In a letter to AG William Barr, Sen. Grassley seems to suggest that Obama's FBI spied on the Trump transition using the spouse of Pence's chief of staff to insert FBI moles into the Trump transition team and disguising sting ops on Trump's team as formal FBI briefings for them.
Even John LeCarré couldn't write a more quirky script.
Posted by: Jack is Back (Again)! | April 26, 2019 at 11:32 AM
The house catty-cornered across from us has a yard FULL of plastic daisy pinwheels, urns with plastic flowers, animal statues, a BIG Virgin of Guadalupe shrine, American flags, you name it!
I thought they were Mexicans, but no. Just people who like lots of lawn ornaments.
Posted by: MissMarple2 | April 26, 2019 at 11:33 AM
" .. disguising sting ops on Trump's team as formal FBI briefings for them ..."
Ingenious, but evil.
Posted by: fdcol63 🇺🇸 | April 26, 2019 at 11:34 AM
Stephanie,
I know nothing about the real estate but I have a good friend who has been here 25 years and she just moved here from a gorgeous house on the water so she knows the place well. I'm sure she will be happy to help. No sweat!
Posted by: Jane | April 26, 2019 at 11:42 AM
fdcol,
Not sure that is as relevant here because everyone is retired.
Posted by: Jane | April 26, 2019 at 11:44 AM
The Twitter Sleuths are busy delving into the revelation the FBI May have had a plant inside Pence’s office.
https://twitter.com/avery1776/status/1121761199824211968?s=21
Posted by: Tom R | April 26, 2019 at 11:45 AM
Jane, I guess at 56, I'm a JOM baby! LOL
True, but even retirees are concerned about re-sale. And good schools always help that.
Posted by: fdcol63 🇺🇸 | April 26, 2019 at 11:47 AM
We have one house like that in our neighborhood, too, MM. It is the lesbian household, so of course it also has a rainbow painted mailbox. :eyeroll:
I have a kitchy 50s plastic flamingo in the backyard just to tweak my hubs nose. I put it under the window on his workshed. :)
I added 4 pinwheels out next to the grandkid's swing set this year, and they love them.
But I'd never put anything like that in the front yard. There are some aholes that would probably object to my flag that is over the garage in the front yard, but they can go shit themselves to whoever they want to go complain to - it isn't coming down.
Posted by: Stephanie Nene Not Your Normal Granma | April 26, 2019 at 11:48 AM
Stephanie,an older neighborhood is a good idea,but...be careful. We rented a house a few years ago before deciding to buy. The owner is an interior decorator,so the place is lovely,very comfy and cozy. The neighborhood has lots of renovations of the 60s/70s houses (we drove thru this winter) but some of the houses are dumps. You are looking forward to the challenge of a fixer-upper,so there is probably something out there calling your name. But,check out the neighborhood!
Posted by: Marlene | April 26, 2019 at 11:53 AM
Jeff Carlson on Ben Wittes on Rosenstein’s speech.
https://twitter.com/themarketswork/status/1121639440554680320?s=21
Posted by: Tom R | April 26, 2019 at 11:53 AM
.

Posted by: President-Elect Jim,SunnyvaleCA | April 26, 2019 at 11:53 AM
Ha,living in an HOA community has been *interesting.* I can't wait to get to Maine and burn stuff in the fire pit!
Posted by: Marlene | April 26, 2019 at 11:55 AM
The Washington Examiner has an awesome headline today:
Dr. Who Performed Joe's Surgery Comes Clean - He Had One
Lulz.
Posted by: Stephanie Nene Not Your Normal Granma | April 26, 2019 at 11:57 AM
https://twitter.com/pbump/status/1121600626994098176?s=21
Sure seems to be a lot of stuff hitting the new cycle today on Rosenstein. Trump happens to be out of town for a rally. I’m hoping that’s a signal this afternoon is going to be popcorn worthy.
Posted by: Tom R | April 26, 2019 at 12:02 PM
My wife and I are at a quasi resort for the end of our kids spring break. There is a palm tree filled Hawaiian themed garden with a faux stream and pond. The ducks are the only birds in this area. Mama ducks, baby ducks, and males that fly in and out as they please. There are no seaguls, pigeons, ravens anywhere near the garden, yet they are in abundance on the beach just outside the property. Are the ducks just territorial enought to keep the rat birds away? Any ideas?
Posted by: Threadkiller | April 26, 2019 at 12:04 PM
People with open pools (no lanai) here use plastic owls to keep all the nasty birds from pooping on their house and/or pool area:) Ducks may have the same effect.
Posted by: Jack is Back (Again)! | April 26, 2019 at 12:07 PM
Resorts frequently put up wires across the tourist areas to keep the nuisance birds away. Look for thin wires 10-20 feet in the air.
Posted by: Stephanie Nene Not Your Normal Granma | April 26, 2019 at 12:09 PM
Jane 10:48 AM
Thanks, Jane.
Posted by: Tom Bowler | April 26, 2019 at 12:09 PM
Are the ducks just territorial enought to keep the rat birds away?
Ducks are pretty timid about everything other than banging other ducks.
Posted by: Captain Hate | April 26, 2019 at 12:12 PM
No wires. It is wide open. There are probably 20 different varieties of palm trees. All are very neatly trimmed. The vertical frons/fronds (sp?) prevent birds from perching.
Posted by: Threadkiller | April 26, 2019 at 12:13 PM
Ducks are pretty timid about everything other than banging other ducks.
The Folsom Street Fair scares me. Maybe the rat birds aren't the orgy type.
Posted by: Threadkiller | April 26, 2019 at 12:15 PM
CH :-)
Posted by: Jack is Back (Again)! | April 26, 2019 at 12:16 PM
Trump just introduced
https://cbs4indy.com/2019/04/26/president-trump-vp-pence-speak-at-nra-convention-in-indianapolis/
Posted by: anonamom | April 26, 2019 at 12:16 PM
Anonamom and TomR, Thanks. I use WAZE from time to time, and I'll probably use it on this trip. Two downsides I've noticed with it: 1.) It won't calculate a trip much longer than 500 miles (all the way from VA to NH didn't work), and 2.) the app occasionally just quits, and then you have to start it up again. Picks good routes though.
Posted by: Tom Bowler | April 26, 2019 at 12:21 PM
anonamom:
"KK, I do believe you missed yesterday. No more hat color discussion. (Clarice is FUCKING (her word; I am too) tired of it, and what she says goes, as the matriarch. Not kidding here.)"
People can defer to clarice if they choose, but who appointed you hall monitor? We don't have rules here.
Perhaps you should have read KK's link before you jumped on him, because it presented an angle that has not, in fact, been examined here. I'm glad he posted it.
I'm happy to try to avoid further wrangling with Tom R, but if I have something to say on the subject of white hats or black, I'm damn well going to say it.
Posted by: JM Hanes | April 26, 2019 at 12:31 PM
Ravens are very brazen so it's hard imagining anything keeping them away. Likewise seagulls, and pigeons are just fat pests. You should ask somebody there, TK, because now I'm curious.
Posted by: Captain Hate | April 26, 2019 at 12:34 PM
I will get to the bottom of this, CH.
Posted by: Threadkiller | April 26, 2019 at 12:41 PM
I know you will, TK! Because you never give up. :-)
Posted by: JM Hanes | April 26, 2019 at 12:51 PM
RNC Ad on the Kamal-toe & Bernie faux-pas on letting terrorists vote from Prison.
https://www.weaselzippers.us/
Posted by: Jack is Back (Again)! | April 26, 2019 at 12:52 PM
:-)
Posted by: Threadkiller | April 26, 2019 at 12:54 PM
I suspect it's the duck poop that keeps all the other birds away.
Posted by: anonamom | April 26, 2019 at 12:54 PM
Everybody knows you can’t wear White Hats before Labor Day.
Posted by: Pinandpuller | April 26, 2019 at 12:58 PM
Isn’t The Nation the oldest Communist sympathizing magazine in US history? This is a surprising admission.
https://www.thenation.com/article/russiagate-trump-mueller-report-no-collusion/
Posted by: Tom R | April 26, 2019 at 01:00 PM
Catsmeat
Right. Best not get too far into Squares and Pegging.
Posted by: Pinandpuller | April 26, 2019 at 01:02 PM
Tom B-I suggested this historic hotel to ch before he went to AZ and we have stayed there too. http://laposada.org/ Winslow as in the famous eagles song is on route 66 and not far from highway that goes by painted desert and petrified forest to east and then the meteor crater used for lunar training and in the starman movie to the west.
One thing to be careful of with neighborhood schools is the push to go to school choice throughout the district that means there is no neighborhood school. It is a way to increase diversity throughout the school district, but there is no school anyone has a right to attend because of the area were hey purchased.
Posted by: rse | April 26, 2019 at 01:03 PM
This NRA speech is a blast!
Posted by: Stephanie Nene Not Your Normal Granma | April 26, 2019 at 01:03 PM
Are the ducks African or European?
Posted by: Pinandpuller | April 26, 2019 at 01:15 PM
TM: "Bret Stephens argues ..."
I'm reminded of the VDH talk just after the '16 election in which he said something like "Trump's job now is simple. He needs to read Bret Stephens' column each day, then do the opposite"
Posted by: President-Elect Jim,SunnyvaleCA | April 26, 2019 at 01:16 PM
Going round the Internet, a collection of Biden gaffes.
https://americarisingpac.org/joe-bidens-greatest-gaffes/
The person who posted it notes:
does not include “Stand up” and “7-11”
I guess 7-11 is when Biden condescended to Indians and Paki's. Not sure what "stand up" is.
Posted by: President-Elect Jim,SunnyvaleCA | April 26, 2019 at 01:19 PM
Well, he sure didn't mince any words about the coup and turning the tables on them!
I hope more stuff is going to happen today.
Posted by: MissMarple2 | April 26, 2019 at 01:20 PM
JMH, I was teasing KK, not jumping on him, which he knew.
I think you are misinterpretting what I am referring to--his label using hat color, not the article he linked to.
He also knows my mantra is "It's not my blog. It's not my blog."
And that I am a big advocate of SOB---but as I noted, with two days of discussion in the past week or so, with many people weighing in on the topic--plus clarice threatening pistolas TWICE!! in that time---there definitely seemed to be consensus reached to STFU about it.
(Hat color, not Mueller. )
Of course, anyone is free to post whatever one wants .
White hat, black hat, green hat, red hat--have at it.
And though I do know I could pick up the mantle, I do believe hall monitor has been awarded to another.
Maybe during your absence.
Posted by: anonamom | April 26, 2019 at 01:21 PM
Biden: Stand up!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SRV5Y1JCGRI
Posted by: fdcol63 🇺🇸 | April 26, 2019 at 01:21 PM
https://www.breitbart.com/the-media/2019/04/26/nolte-national-review-condemns-franklin-graham-as-a-bad-christian/
Of course it's David French.
Posted by: MissMarple2 | April 26, 2019 at 01:21 PM
What a beautiful hotel, rse! It may be too far out of the way, though, since we'll be driving in on I-10. I'll have to file that one for future reference.
Posted by: Tom Bowler | April 26, 2019 at 01:24 PM
"eating bugs is not kosher so I'll pass."
Nice out!
I may convert ....
Posted by: President-Elect Jim,SunnyvaleCA | April 26, 2019 at 01:28 PM
Giulio Occhionero
@g_occhionero
Disturbing interview to Mifsud's lawyer Stephan Roh by @ilfoglio_it says professor took captive by intelligence in Rome and ordered to stay silent until Mueller's plot completed.
Behind it all, also a rich cyber consulting industry owned by Link Campus.
https://www.ilfoglio.it/esteri/2019/04/26/news/lavvocato-di-mifsud-ci-spiega-cosa-centra-la-link-con-il-russiagate-251507/
===================================
Link is to an article in Italian, which I don't read, so I am posting this without knowing if it is true or not.
Posted by: MissMarple2 | April 26, 2019 at 01:31 PM
TomR your 11:11 seems a very plausible explanation to me.
Posted by: clarice | April 26, 2019 at 01:45 PM
thanks, fdcol! (Biden: stand up)
Posted by: President-Elect Jim,SunnyvaleCA | April 26, 2019 at 01:49 PM
Donald J. Trump
Verified account @realDonaldTrump
15m15 minutes ago
Great NRA crowd and enthusiasm in Indiana. Thank you! Leaving now for meetings in the Oval Office.
Posted by: MissMarple2 | April 26, 2019 at 01:50 PM
This NRA speech is a blast!
Has anybody ever been better in front of a crowd of like-minded patriots?? I am awed by DJT's ability/skill to speak--at LENGTH!--extemporaneously.
Posted by: anonamom | April 26, 2019 at 01:51 PM
"I thought they were Mexicans, but no. Just people who like lots of lawn ornaments."
BA!HA! HA!
now that's hilarious, MM! :D
here's how you can tell they be Mezzkins fer sure: the front yard looks like the backyard, if you know what i mean.
Posted by: KevlarKid | April 26, 2019 at 01:53 PM
https://thehill.com/opinion/white-house/440730-how-the-obama-white-house-engaged-ukraine-to-give-russia-collusion
I say if The Hill is starting to cover this, the entire thing is going to bust wide open.
Posted by: MissMarple2 | April 26, 2019 at 01:56 PM
"Ducks are pretty timid about everything other than banging other ducks."
two things come to mind, CH:
1. you should write for Marlin Perkins' Mutual of Omaha Wild Kingdom (is it still on? he dead but...)
2. you've described Romney and the GOPe FOREVER!
Posted by: KevlarKid | April 26, 2019 at 01:57 PM
Well, Kev, that didn't come out the way I meant it. It was the huge Virgin of Guadalupe shrine which made me think they were Mexican.
Posted by: MissMarple2 | April 26, 2019 at 01:58 PM
A combo of teleprompters and extemporaneous amom. I'd love to see the actual text on the prompters to see what % of the speech is off the cuff.
Does the prompter have "going off script here" notes so the prompter crew know to pause the feed?
Turdbucket was always hilarious when the prompter crew got ahead/behind him and he had to stutter til they got the prompters resynced to where he left off. LOL
Posted by: Stephanie Nene Not Your Normal Granma | April 26, 2019 at 01:59 PM
JMH--- muy gracias.
anonamom--- in my best Kojak: "who luvs ya baby?"
:D
Posted by: KevlarKid | April 26, 2019 at 01:59 PM
speakin of eating bugs.... remember the scene from "Hidalgo" where Vigo and his pinto pony get overtaken by a herd of locust?
in the aftermath, starving, Vigo remembers how the princess forewarned "the locust are a blessing not a curse."
he chokes down a dead locust. upon feeding one to his horse he says: "Not bad. Goes down smooth once you get past the head." time to watch that movie again.
Posted by: KevlarKid | April 26, 2019 at 02:02 PM
https://twitter.com/45_Schedule/status/1121826533029625856
Thread containing both statements from VP Pence and his former chief of staff.
Posted by: MissMarple2 | April 26, 2019 at 02:02 PM
Stephanie is right, a combo for this speech. When he does rallies it's more off-the-cuff.
He sure knows showmanship!
Now I wonder what those Oval Office meetings are. I am never going to get any work done around here.
Posted by: MissMarple2 | April 26, 2019 at 02:04 PM
MM: no, seriously, i think that was one of the funniest things i've read on here in some time. and then CH with his duck comment. i am still drying my eyes.
out here in Califas, mekkin fun of beaner "relokes" is a contact sport and has been since i can remember. si se puede or "Sees a payday"
Posted by: KevlarKid | April 26, 2019 at 02:08 PM
Going off memory but the Horowitz investigation into FISA abuse was originally initiated while Obama was president with the intent to investigate the details of why the FBI reopened the Hillary email server case after Weiners laptop was discovered.
The FISA investigation began last year.
https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/news/doj-inspector-generals-fisa-abuse-investigation-expected-to-finish-by-may-or-june
Posted by: Extraneus | April 26, 2019 at 02:08 PM
from MM's 1:56p:
"the Obama White House summoned Ukrainian authorities to Washington to coordinate ongoing anti-corruption efforts inside Russia’s most critical neighbor."
was this before or after Joe Biden's son took his Ukrainian payday?
Posted by: KevlarKid | April 26, 2019 at 02:11 PM
Extraneus: (and other pickers) we were talking about bass runs last night - here's Wilton Felder's isolated bass track on 'I Want You Back'. The last ninety seconds are especially groovy...
https://youtu.be/z91l_lPz1oc
And, in a bizarre hat tip, John Podhoretz has this linked on his FB page today!! 😳
Posted by: Beasts of England | April 26, 2019 at 02:12 PM
MM,
My translation of the Italian press article: (actually it's Google translate:)
Rome. "Mifsud is not a Russian spy, he is a victim. He hid and is silent because under threat. He's still in danger. " And then: "It is Vincenzo Scotti who asked him to manage the dinner with Papadopoulos. But he never talked about Clinton's emails ". And again: "His friends at Link Campus organized him a place outside Rome to hide in November / December 2017 and have been in contact with him at least until January ...
Posted by: Jack is Back (Again)! | April 26, 2019 at 02:13 PM
steph, it would be fun to get that info from his "producers" or whatever the correct term is for the tech people who make those rallies happen.
Impressive shows.
MM,KK, I'd likely have assumed the same if I saw Our Lady of Guadalupe in someone's yard, though I am not Mexican, and the Our Lady of Guad is the "Mary Candle" I burn most frequently, being my only Mary choice at my local Food Lion. It's that, or that scary Sacred Heart of Jesus one, with the crown of thorns around his exposed heart.
Not my cup of tea. ;-)
Posted by: anonamom | April 26, 2019 at 02:14 PM
tx for that, Beasts! question: how does one go about isolating a track like that? does it require studio access?
Posted by: KevlarKid | April 26, 2019 at 02:15 PM
Strassel should know that everything related to the Steele dossier and the FISA abuse scandal falls under the jurisdiction of Horowitz/Huber.
Everything related to the dossier, including whether it's Russian disinfo, was aided by foreign spies in order to bypass rules against CIA domestic ops, or was financed in violation of campaign laws?
What do you base this statement on?
Posted by: Extraneus | April 26, 2019 at 02:15 PM
KK,
The first time I saw ducks "doing it", it made Irish foreplay (Brace yourself, Brigid) seem like a Harlequin romance.
Posted by: Captain Hate | April 26, 2019 at 02:16 PM
Good for Pence!
Statement from @VP:
“I was deeply offended to learn that two disgraced FBI agents considered infiltrating our transition team by sending a counter intelligence agent to one of my very first intelligence briefings only 9 days after the election,"
"This is an outrage and only underscores why we need to get to the bottom of how this investigation started in the first place."
"The American people have a right to what happened and if these two agents broke the law and ignored long-standing DOJ policies, they must be held accountable.”
Posted by: anonamom | April 26, 2019 at 02:17 PM
Why can't we microchip the invaders before releasing them? Sure would make ICE's job easier.
Posted by: Stephanie Nene Not Your Normal Granma | April 26, 2019 at 02:18 PM
And a reminder: The Ukraine Party of Regions is/was a PRO-Russia party.
The Dems ... the REAL Russia Colluders.
Posted by: fdcol63 🇺🇸 | April 26, 2019 at 02:20 PM
Groovy, Beasts.
Posted by: Extraneus | April 26, 2019 at 02:21 PM