Morning Briefing
For August 13, 2014
Robin Williams, Suicide, Depression, and Evil Spirits
People are talking about depression and suicide in the wake of the shocking death of Robin Williams. That's mostly a good thing - the lives and deaths of celebrities are a common language, and we can use it to discuss the world we live in. But these conversations seem to me to end up oversimplifying the issue in a way that creates pointless conflict and obscures what we really need to understand about depression and suicide. . . . please click here for the rest of the post ?
Pause
I once heard a preacher tell of being relatively new to ministry and having to go to a hospital because a lady and her child had been in a car wreck. The child died. The preacher did not know what to say. He tried to find the words. As he began to speak, the lady's best friend came into the room, climbed into bed with her best friend, hugged her, and they cried together. . . . please click here for the rest of the post ?
Fighting on Scott Walker's Turf
While many Republicans who are facing incumbent Democrats are having to face hysterical, panicked, and wildly inaccurate attacks on their records on issues that virtually no one cares about, Scott Walker has the luxury of having faced his electorate not once but twice, and running on a proven record of achievement. The end result is that even though Walker is running in a blue state, he has forced the conversation about his re-election back onto his turf, to the point that his opponent is even unwilling to attack Walker on Act 10, which led to the attempt to recall Walker in the first place. Walker's opponent, Mary Burke, is trying to beat Walker by, well, out-Walkering him . . . please click here for the rest of the post ?
Liberals Urge Southern Secession on Gamechanger Salon
The nation would be better off if Southern states seceded from the union, and Republicans pushing for right-to-work, voter ID laws and other reforms are "neo-Confederates" according to a candid exchange between a major Democratic donor and liberal organizers on Gamechanger Salon. The forum, a secretive and exclusive digital gathering of over 1,000 leftwing leaders, activists and journalists, was recently made public by Media Trackers, and email exchanges between members offer fascinating insights into the group's inner deliberations. . . . please click here for the rest of the post ?
2006 Charlie Crist viciously attacks 2014 Charlie Crist in new attack ad!
This was, of course, inevitable. . . . please click here for the rest of the post ?
Alaska's Mark Begich uses Lisa Murkowski as an endorsement
Yesterday my colleague, Leon Wolf, posted a story titled Democrats of an Unknown Party Affiliation in which he notes the growing phenomenon, in what is shaping up to be a wave year in favor of the GOP, of Democrats campaigning by obscuring their party identification. In Alaska, Democrat Senator Mark Begich has gone one further. He has run a campaign ad featuring nominally Republican Senator Lisa Murkowski extolling how well he works with her . . . please click here for the rest of the post ?
Morning Briefing
For August 12, 2014
Carpe Diem
The great Robin Williams is dead of an apparent suicide. He was a comedic genius who, regardless of political persuasion, made most everyone I know laugh. Good Morning Vietnam remains one of my favorite movies, but then so many of his movies were so fantastic.
He had been battling drugs and depression for some time. Suicide is too often an outcome in these situations. I have lost several good friends to suicide stemming from mental health issues.
Every time our society is confronted with a mass shooting or a famous person committing suicide, we spend several days collectively wringing our hands, getting philosophical, then resuming our lives. In fact, were it not for the famous or the insane, we'd pass over this issue as society often ignores the suicides of soldiers coming home from war or in war.
In a week, I have no doubt the conversation will be shifted back to something else. We collectively have a short attention span. But maybe, just maybe, beyond the red vs. blue, the left vs. right, and the political topic of the day, we might be able to pierce through the news cycle and sustain a conversation on mental health and depression in this country.
I wish we could. I fear we won't. Now would be a good time to stop being philosophical and start showing those who suffer mental health issues that we do care for them and want to de-stigmatize the process of getting help.
The sound and fury in the void of mental darkness sweeps over too much genius, taking from us so much greatness. It is just so sad and we should pray for Robin Williams's family today. . . . please click here for the rest of the post ?
Move America Forward Responds to ProPublica Allegations
For those of you who may have missed this story, the ultra-liberal hit squad ProPublica published a piece last week accusing pro-troop charity Move America Forward essentially of acting as a slush fund for certain TEA Party activists and bilking donors of money. Many folks, particularly in the establishment wing of the party, crowed about this piece as further evidence of what Steve LaTourette alleged about the TEA Party orgs in terms of being grifters. . . . please click here for the rest of the post ?
Democrats of Unknown Party Affiliation
The similarities to 2006 keep mounting. The latest of these is that Democrats running even in blue or purple territory are running away from their party affiliation. Politico notes this morning the surest sign of impending disaster - Democrats refusing to admit they are Democrats in their television ads . . . please click here for the rest of the post ?
Democrats paying their minority staffers around 3/5th of White staffers' salaries
Fine, fine: it's more like seven-tenths. Three-fifths has more of a. resonance, though. . . . please click here for the rest of the post ?
Corporate inversions are economic patriotism
Last month the administration, having fixed all the real problems in the United States, took on a purely imaginary issue: inversion. Inversion takes place when a company located in the United States shifts its headquarters off shore to avoid the extortionate 35% corporate income tax rate. Mind you, the company doesn't have to shift either facilities or workforce, just its headquarters. Obama and his treasury secretary have both labeled the practice as "unpatriotic." . . . please click here for the rest of the post ?
The Vine
One of the most important aspects of the pro-life movement is conveying the personal stories that go along with why we fight for the unborn. If you've spent any time focused on the issue on life, you've no doubt heard stories of abortion regret, stories of conversion to being pro-life, and maybe stories of run-ins with pro-aborts. As is the case with any issue to be tackled, personal stories are excellent for helping us really understand the issue of abortion on a deeper level. Unlike most other issues, reading and sharing the truth about abortion can be an extremely difficult task; yet it is one from which we cannot shy away. . . . please click here for the rest of the post ?
Morning Briefing
For August 11, 2014
Questioning the Chairman
All of us at RedState had a great time at this year's Gathering. And we're already looking forward to next year in Atlanta. There was one minor bit of controversy at the Gathering this year and I think I should start today by addressing it. . . . please click here for the rest of the post ?
Tolerate or Be Stamped Out
Are gay rights and Christianity compatible? The answer appears to be no. As gay rights activists use the tactics of Bull Connor to push for what they declare civil rights, they are targeting churches, religiously affiliated groups and Christian businesses for harassment and lawsuits. . . . please click here for the rest of the post ?
Obama's Iraq response is a waste of time
US Navy F/A-18s launched from the USS George H W Bush struck ISIS targets in northern Iraq. This will go down in history as a strong contender for the "Too Little Too Late" award. Were thousands of people not being killed it would be a farce. . . . please click here for the rest of the post ?
Is Obama even familiar with his own national security policy?
In January of 2014 what had been a suppurating insurgency in Iraq erupted into a full-blown civil war. It became clear that this was no ordinary civil war, ISIS, the Islamic terror group brought into being by Barack Obama's obscenely misguided policy in Iraq and Syria, engaged in a program of slaughtering prisoners, slaughtering civilians, the ethnic cleansing of Christian enclaves, etc. And they were not circumspect about what they were doing. The documented their actions for posterity and loaded the video on YouTube. . . . please click here for the rest of the post ?
ISIS, the Caliphate, is Evil Incarnate
Each day we see new evidence of the unthinkable atrocities and barbarism unleashed by ISIS, the radical Islamic terrorist group oppressing much of Iraq and Syria.
Recently, ACLJ Chief Counsel Jay Sekulow and Senior Counsel Skip Ash compiled a report detailing the history, extent, and gravity of the danger posed by this ruthless jihadist terror group.
While born as an offshoot of al Qaeda, even these terrorists quickly distanced themselves from ISIS for its brutality and indiscriminate slaughter. . . . please click here for the rest of the post ?
On Leadership, Governor Nikki Haley Shares How South Carolina Is 'Open For Business'
On Saturday, as she has for nearly every year of the RedState Gathering, South Carolina's Governor Nikki Haley spoke to the Gathering's attendees.
This year, the Governor was able to tout another year of accomplishments since taking office: Continuing to lower her state's unemployment rate from 11% to 5.3%-making South Carolina one of the fastest state growing economies in the nation, reforming the state's agencies as well as-very importantly-attracting new, good-paying (and union-free) jobs to the Palmetto State. . . . please click here for the rest of the post ?
Ohio Dem Ed FitzGerald Implodes in Epic Fashion
A political campaign's failure to get off the ground doesn't prevent its crashing and burning, as Ohio Democrat Ed FitzGerald is proving this month.
The RealClearPolitics average has incumbent Republican John Kasich leading by 8.2. Thus ends the good news for FitzGerald. . . . please click here for the rest of the post ?
Morning Briefing
For August 14, 2014
Top Fundraiser for Jason Carter (D-GA) Wants Carbon Tax. Calls Opponents to the Idea "Nutcases".
Jason Carter is the Democrats' nominee for Governor of Georgia. His top fundraiser flew to Aspen, CO on Tuesday to champion a carbon tax to fight "global warming."
Carter's fundraiser also called those who oppose destroying the economy to deal with global warming "nutcases." Do not be surprised. Jason Carter's top fundraiser also recently called Hamas a legitimate political actor and accused Israel of war crimes. . . . please click here for the rest of the post ?
Abortion Barbie Goes Full Harridan
Wendy Davis has her weaknesses as a political candidate but one thing she has shown truly exceptional skill at throughout her life is bilking gullible liberals out of their money - beginning with her ex-husband and ending with Democrat donors across the country. As a result she has a ton of money to throw around against Greg Abbot, but not a lot of useful stuff to do with it. As a consequence she is blanketing the Texas airwaves with an attack ad that strikes just the right balance of tone between ominous, hectoring, and dishonesty. . . . please click here for the rest of the post ?
Obama blames others for abandoning Iraq
The current crisis in Iraq that has caused Barack Obama to flee Washington and responsibility for Martha's Vineyard in search of a perfect tee-time . There are many causes for the current mess, most of them can inevitably be traced back to Obama. The ill-conceived overthrow of Muammar Gaddafi, the flow of arms to "moderate" forces in Syria, the release of the head of ISIS from US custody, the lack of influence on the actions of the Maliki government have all served to highlight the moral and intellectual bankruptcy of the administration. The only entertaining part of this sorry spectacle has been watching Obama trying to gaslight us on why we are in our current predicament in Iraq. According to Obama, he did not want to withdraw US forces from Iraq but was forced to by the Iraqis. This will come as a shock to anyone who had brain activity from 2007 through 2011. . . . please click here for the rest of the post ?
City of Philadelphia Sued over Civil Asset Forfeitures
The most desperately needed reform in America is a significant overhaul of civil asset forfeiture laws. These are laws, generally speaking, that allow state and local cops to seize your property if they merely suspect that the property has been used in the commission of a crime. They do not have to charge you with any crime at all and after your stuff has been taken, you have to go to court and prove that you're entitled to have it back - a process that can take years and is rife with judges who believe anything cops say. . . . please click here for the rest of the post ?
Russian conducts military exercises in disputed islands
On August 8, 1945, two days after the atomic bomb was dropped on Hiroshima and hours before Nagasaki was obliterated, the USSR declared war on Japan. When Operation August Storm was unleashed by a Red Army hardened by four years of war against Nazi Germany it rolled through the rotted husk of the Japanese Kwantung Army. When the smoke settled some 84,000 Japanese troops were dead, another 640,000 were swallowed by the Soviet Gulag, well over half of which died in captivity. The city of Harbin was given to the Red Army for three days of "rape and pillage." Part of the theater included the Kuril Islands. They were invaded on August 18, 1945 and fell in short order. Like so much other territory that fell under Soviet control by virtue of the end of World War II, they were loathe to leave it. Without getting into all the details, the ownership of some of the islands in the chain is disputed. . . . please click here for the rest of the post ?
Don't forget to check out the latest TECH AT NIGHT.
Morning Briefing
For August 15, 2014
Must We Have a Dead White Kid?
Congress passed the Posse Comitatus Act in 1878 as Reconstruction came to end. The law ended the military's ability to enforce laws on domestic soil. The police had to be used. But since September 11, 2001, many police departments in the country have turned themselves into mini-militaries. It used to be just a SWAT team ready to take on bad guys.
More and more the police are suiting up to contain and control the population they are supposed to serve. Not a week goes by without encountering horrific stories of police abuse. In Dallas, TX, the independent school district has a SWAT team. In New York, a man died after police put him in a choke hold for the high crime of selling cigarettes. . . . please click here for the rest of the post ?
Don't Rule Out a Riot
When America dumped a bunch of the Crown's tea into Boston Harbor the British called us rioters, looters, and worse. What's happening in Ferguson is maybe not that, but our country was founded on the impulse of being willing to take only so much crap from a disconnected and unresponsive government, and I hope that impulse isn't gone forever. . . . please click here for the rest of the post ?
Has Russia invaded? Ukraine enters a critical state
The situation in Ukraine is entering a critical phase. As Russian troops mass on the border with Ukraine and a bogus "humanitarian" convoy has moved towards Ukraine from Russia. Tonight there are reports that a Russian armored column has crossed the Russo-Ukraine frontier. . . . please click here for the rest of the post ?
David Gregory out at Meet the Press
This is hardly a surprise. Rumors about Gregory's demise have been constant fodder in media critic circles since at least 2012 with some mentions as early as 2010, only two years after he was hired.
Given the waning impact of the Sunday shows, I'm not sure what this does beyond give Chuck Todd a pay raise. Trading one lazy, leftwing shill for another is hardly a victory for our side. For Meet the Press, it is more like shuffling the rubber duckies on the deck of the Good Ship Lollipop. . . . please click here for the rest of the post ?
Media Research Center Releases New #LeanOver Campaign
Our good friends at the Media Research Center have begun a new video campaign called #LeanOver taking on the liberal bias of MSNBC. The first of these videos by RedState contributor Ben Howe has just been released and is well worth a watch. Check it out. . . . please click here for the rest of the post ?
Clinton versus Obama on Syria and foreign policy
The kerfuffle between Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama is all in the news right now. Clinton, who sees her coronation as Democrat presidential candidate for the 2016 as a done deal, is trying to establish some daylight between herself and her former boss on foreign policy. There is a good reason for that. Other than coasting through 2009 with an "I'm not George Bush" strategy (which we're seeing play out in the long run as a "I'm an incompetent boob") this administration has had no identifiable foreign policy. For a while it seemed to embrace the feel-good but impractical Responsibility to Protect doctrine. This was abandoned before the first Syrian chemical attack and since that time the administration simply staggered from one crisis to the next failure. . . . please click here for the rest of the post ?
On Brutal Truth
Conservatives and Christians seem to have decided that there needs to be a brutal aspect of this truth in order to truly be of service.
To me, this is the great error in our messaging and has resulted in a party and an ideology that is looked at as the opposite of empathetic or compassionate. Whether or not that description is fair, it's where we are and frankly, it's this addiction to "brutal truth" that has caused it. . . . please click here for the rest of the post ?
Chris Kyle Didn't Die From a Gunshot, He Died From His Choice
Here is an example of a blog post with a title designed to piss you off. It is meant to immediately put you on edge because it is inflammatory. It is a half truth architected in a manner to upset people who are familiar with the story of the well known American Hero, Chris Kyle. Most people know that Chris Kyle was actually shot and killed by a fellow soldier whom he was trying to help cope with PTSD.
If I wanted to, I could probably make an argument that Chris Kyle's lifestyle of being a warrior as well as his choice to attempt to help a friend cope with PTSD lead to his murder. However, the point of such an argument would be only to make people angry because we all know that Chris Kyle didn't want to die that way.
I am not going to make that argument. That would be dumb. That would be mean. . . . please click here for the rest of the post ?
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