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October 2015

Posted by Kemberlee Kaye on October 22, 2015 34 Comments
Democratic Presidential frontrunner Hillary Clinton will testify before the House Select Committee on Benghazi at 10:00 EST. Watch live: [session over] This is the most talked about part of the day -- Hillary admitting video had nothing to do with Benghazi attack and that she told people at the time, but the American public was told otherwise:

Posted by Amy Miller on October 22, 2015 19 Comments
A new Gallup poll released yesterday revealed that 58% of Americans support legal marijuana use. Sentiment peaked at 58% in 2013 as well, before dipping sharply in 2014 and then recovering. This represents a high point in Gallup's 46-year history of polling on legal marijuana use. Back in 1969, only 12% of Americans backed legalization; 1977's polling revealed a 28% peak in support which dipped until 1993. Since then, we've seen a steady increase in support. marijuana use support october 2015

Posted by William A. Jacobson on October 21, 2015 41 Comments
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu made a controversial statement as he was leaving for Germany on the role of Haj Amin al-Husseini, the Grand Mufti of Jerusalem. Netanyahu's statement suggesting that the idea of genocide against the Jews of Europe originated with the Mufti and not Hitler was overstatement, and quickly walked back by Netanyahu (but not before Netanyahu's political enemies had a field day with it). But there is a silver lining in Netanyahu's political gaffe -- people now are talking about the role of the Grand Mufti in the European genocide. We have discussed the Mufti's Nazi-sympathies and assistance here before, so it's not new to us. But given the current "Knife Intifada," in which the agitation to kill Jews is pervasive in Palestinian culture, it's clear that there is a direct line from the Mufti's Nazi-affiliation to the Jew hatred that motivates the current conflict. Jeffrey Goldberg of The Atlantic tweeted out a link to this study from 2005, National Socialism and Anti-Semitism in the Arab World. It's very lengthy, so read the whole thing. Here is an excerpt:

Posted by Amy Miller on October 21, 2015 11 Comments
CNBC has released the final lineup for next week's GOP debate in Boulder, Colorado---and there are absolutely no surprises to be had. The main stage will look very familiar: Donald Trump, Ben Carson, Marco Rubio, Carly Fiorina, Jeb Bush, Ted Cruz, Mike Huckabee, John Kasich, Chris Christie, and Rand Paul. The top tier is missing Scott Walker, who appeared in last month's CNN debate but has since withdrawn from the race. Bobby Jindal, Rick Santorum, George Pataki, and Lindsey Graham will hold down their usual places in the pre-primetime debate. Jim Gilmore did not qualify for either debate. CNBC's John Harwood has the details:

Posted by Amy Miller on October 21, 2015 28 Comments
Debbie Wasserman-Schultz is really not having a good year. Her candidates, her colleagues, even the friendly media at MSNBC have all turned on her over the strict limitations she has elected to put on the primary cycle's debate schedule. Her response to this criticism has been crystal clear: I will not sanction any additional debates. Then came the Black Lives Matter movement with one simple request: add a racial justice-themed debate to the schedule! Whether this is sincere (and I think it is) or the world's greatest troll remains to be seen; but anyone who has been watching the news cycle over the past few years knows that her response to this request is going to haunt the DNC for a long time. She said no. Of course she said no---she had to. The DNC sent a very nice letter back to the group, saying, "We believe that your organization would be an ideal host for a presidential candidate forum — where all of the Democratic candidates can showcase their ideas and policy positions that will expand opportunity for all, strengthen the middle class and address racism in America... The DNC would be happy to help promote the event."

Posted by Kemberlee Kaye on October 21, 2015 9 Comments
We are happy to report that Yelp is not suing Comedy Central or the creators of South Park. Headlines to the contrary are yet another case of Parody Taken Seriously. Last week, a South Park episode called, "You're Not Yelping," skewered the popular restaurant review site Yelp. This clip from the episode, which like most things South Park, is probably NSFW:

Posted by Kemberlee Kaye on October 21, 2015 54 Comments
Speaking Tuesday, Rep. Paul Ryan said he would consider running for Speaker of the House. Prior to McCarthy's sudden withdrawal from the Speaker race, Paul adamantly denied any interest in running for the gavel. Paul is now reluctantly willing to reconsider leading up the House Republican caucus if he can be, "a unifying figure."

Posted by William A. Jacobson on October 21, 2015 41 Comments
Joe Biden is holding a press statement from the Rose Garden, with Obama by his side. He is NOT running due to the grieving process. (full transcript here)
BIDEN: As the family and I have worked through the -- the grieving process, I've said all along what I've said time and again to others: that it may very well be that that process, by the time we get through it, closes the window on mounting a realistic campaign for president. That it might close. I've concluded it has closed. I know from previous experience that there's no timetable for this process. The process doesn't respect or much care about things like filing deadlines or debates and primaries and caucuses. But I also know that I could do this if the -- I couldn't do this if the family wasn't ready. The good news is the family has reached that point, but as I've said many times, my family has suffered loss, and -- and I -- I hope there would come a time -- and I've said this to many other families -- that, sooner rather than later, when -- when you think of your loved one, it brings a smile to your lips before it brings a tear to your eyes. Well, that's where the Bidens are today. Thank god. Beau -- Beau is our inspiration. Unfortunately, I believe we're out of time, the time necessary to mount a winning campaign for the nomination. But while I will not be a candidate, I will not be silent.
Watch:

Posted by Kemberlee Kaye on October 21, 2015 12 Comments
Largely due to the Center for Medical Progress' undercover videos exposing Planned Parenthood's sale of aborted baby parts, the nation's largest abortion provider is under federal and state examination. Monday, Texas stripped Medicaid funding from Planned Parenthood providers, joining a handful of other states who've done the same. As state-level scrutiny increases, Planned Parenthood's room to wiggle shrinks in kind. Tuesday, the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reported a pathology lab that contracts with a local Planned Parenthood provider failed to register with the state of Missouri this year. This is the sixth time the lab has missed a filing deadline since 1994. The lab, which digs through aborted baby parts, says officials, "misunderstood the registration process."

Posted by Leslie Eastman on October 21, 2015 19 Comments
Chinese hackers and Islamic terrorists are real global threats, but some congressmen are targeting climate change deniers instead! Two representatives assert that ExxonMobil lied about climate change data in the same way cigarette companies hid the real hazards associated with smoking, and they are now threatening a federal investigation.
The two members of Congress wrote to Loretta Lynch, the attorney general, on Wednesday, saying they were concerned by the results of two separate investigations by Inside Climate News and the Los Angeles Times, which found that ExxonMobil scientists confirmed fossil fuels were causing climate change decades ago, but publicly embarked on a campaign of denial. “ExxonMobil’s apparent behavior is similar to cigarette companies that repeatedly denied harm from tobacco and spread uncertainty and misinformation to the public,” Ted Lieu and Mark DeSaulnier, both Democratic members of Congress from California, wrote. “We ask that the DoJ similarly investigate Exxon for organizing a sustained deception campaign disputing climate science and failing to disclose truthful information to investors and the public.”

Posted by Mike LaChance on October 21, 2015 207 Comments
Through the spring and summer, many pundits and politicians dismissed Donald Trump's campaign for president as a flash in the pan. Large crowds at his events were explained away by dissatisfaction with the establishment. Now that his lead in the polls has held for so long, people are singing a different tune. Howard Kurtz of FOX News:
The media establishment finally admits Trump could win this thing I remember shaking my head, on the day that Donald Trump announced, when NPR’s Mara Liasson declared that this would be the best day of his campaign and it was downhill from there. Liasson cheerfully admitted she was wrong on my show, but she had plenty of company. Most of the media establishment seemed to fall into two camps: those who were skeptical that Trump was anything more than a sideshow, and those who attacked him as a clown and a charlatan. Fast-forward to this past weekend when Chris Wallace, having just interviewed Trump for “Fox News Sunday,” said: “I know all of us dismissed Trump, early on, all of the so-called experts.” But after their sitdown, Wallace said, “I am beginning to believe he could be elected president of the United States.”

Posted by Amy Miller on October 21, 2015 20 Comments
This story just keeps getting weirder. Remember Ahmed Mohamed? He's the Texas teen who sailed into his (extended) 15 minutes of fame after one of his teachers mistook a "homemade clock" for a homemade bomb. The Social Justice Warriors rushed to Ahmed's cause, crying racism; President Obama even invited him to the White House. After the incident, Ahmed used the media attention to his advantage, saying that his teacher and the authorities made him "feel like he was a criminal," and that the whole thing seemed contrary to America's live-and-let-live spirit.

Posted by Kemberlee Kaye on October 20, 2015 13 Comments
Monday, Texas Governor Abbott's office announced Planned Parenthood providers would no longer be privy to Medicaid dollars. “Texas has stepped forward and shown its unyielding commitment to both protecting life and providing women’s health services,” said Governor Abbott. “The gruesome harvesting of baby body parts by Planned Parenthood will not be allowed in Texas and the barbaric practice must be brought to an end. As such, ending the Medicaid participation of Planned Parenthood affiliates in the State of Texas is another step in providing greater access to safe healthcare for women while protecting our most vulnerable – the unborn.” Governor Abbott cited the, "gruesome videos filmed at Planned Parenthood facilities," including one facility in Texas. Monday, "the Office of Inspector General at Texas Health and Human Services Commission issued a letter ending Medicaid participation for Planned Parenthood affiliates in the State of Texas based on evidence of Medicaid program violations. The cancellation, consistent with Governor Abbott’s LIFE initiative, calls for funding to Planned Parenthood and other abortion providers out of taxpayer money to be eliminated completely, both at the State and local levels," according to the Governor's office.

Posted by Kemberlee Kaye on October 20, 2015 18 Comments
Presumptive Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton is scheduled to testify before the House Select Committee on Benghazi Thursday. Tuesday, Hillary's daughter Chelsea Clinton joined CBS This Morning to field promote her new book and field softball questions about her mother's upcoming hearing.
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Posted by Kemberlee Kaye on October 20, 2015 22 Comments
Once upon a time, referring to a Democrat as a "socialist" was an insult. Now? Not so much. HotAir's Allah Pundit pointed out Monday that in a few short months, full throttled socialism is making a comeback. Data released by YouGov explored socialism tolerance among political parties. Compare the stats from May: may1

Posted by Amy Miller on October 20, 2015 14 Comments
After the attacks on the US Embassy in Benghazi, Libya, the Obama Administration moved quickly to blame the carnage on "The Innocence of Muslims" video on YouTube. Remember? The Administration attempted to blame the violence on "an awful video that we had nothing to do with" no less than seven times, even as it became abundantly clear that the murderers who laid waste to the compound were there on a mission, and not as part of a spontaneous protest. Now, new documents from the State Department, acquired by advocacy group Judicial Watch, show that the White House attempted to shuttle the blame onto another, more obscure YouTube video almost immediately after the attacks took place.

Posted by Vijeta Uniyal on October 20, 2015 10 Comments
British Prime Minister David Cameron has announced new measures to tackle the rise of Islamic extremism in the UK. With this new set of measures, the government wants to counter the influence of Islamic thinking on government-funded institutions, private charities and businesses. Britain is home to about 3 million Muslims, and many Brits have become concerned about the radicalisation of young Muslims taking place in schools and mosques. Today, some 500 to 1000 British Muslims are fighting in the ranks of the Islamic State (ISIS) in Syria. Additionally, Britain faces the threat of home-grown Islamic terrorism, as highlighted by the London bombings of 2005 that killed more than 50 people in the London public transport system during the rush hour. According to the domestic security service MI5, the home-grown terror plots are now at an all-time high. British broadcaster Channel 4 News quoted Prime Minister Cameron as describing Islamic extremism as "one of the great struggles of our generation."
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