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February 2017

Posted by William A. Jacobson on February 15, 2017 7 Comments
Yesterday I posted about a flurry of motions in the re-trial of Rasmea Odeh for immigration fraud. I focused on the prosecutor's motion to take the testimony in the West Bank of Rasmea's two co-conspirators in the bombing of the SuperSol supermarket in 1969, Prosecutors seek testimony of Rasmea Odeh bombing co-conspirators. That post has extensive background on the case, so please head over to the link if you are not yet familiar.

Posted by Mary Chastain on February 15, 2017 21 Comments
Sen. Susan Collins (R-ME) has told Maine Public Radio that she will vote against Oklahoma Attorney General Scott Pruitt to lead the EPA. She acknowledged his accomplishments, but the two of them have too many different views when it comes to the EPA:
“Specifically, I have significant concerns that Mr. Pruitt has actively opposed and sued the EPA on numerous issues that are of great importance to the state of Maine, including mercury controls for coal-fired power plants and efforts to reduce cross-state air pollution and greenhouse gas emissions,” she says. “His actions leave me with considerable doubts about whether his vision for the EPA is consistent with the agency’s critical mission to protect human health and the environment.”

Posted by Mary Chastain on February 15, 2017 28 Comments
Oh, Democrats. Why can't you look in the mirror and just admit your problem? The Democrats suffered a massive blow when President Donald Trump crushed Hillary Clinton in the presidential Electoral College race. But Democrats also suffered in Congress and at the state level. To fix that, the party wants to fight over the next round of redistricting and loosen the voting laws. Guess who will guide the push? Former President Barack Obama and his former Attorney General Eric Holder!

Posted by Mary Chastain on February 15, 2017 25 Comments
The Associated Press has reported that Andrew Puzder has withdrawn as Labor Secretary nominee. He has released this statement: "After careful consideration and discussions with my family, I am withdrawing my nomination for Secretary of Labor," he said in the statement. "I am honored to have been considered by President Donald Trump to lead the Department of Labor and put America's workers and businesses back on a path to sustainable prosperity. I want to thank President Trump for his nomination. I also thank my family and my many supporters - employees, businesses, friends and people who have voiced their praise and hopeful optimism for the policies and new thinking I would have brought to America as Secretary of Labor."

Posted by Mary Chastain on February 15, 2017 6 Comments
South Korea's spy chief claims that North Korean dictator Kim Jong Un ordered the assassination of his half-brother. Kim Jong Nam died after two women attacked him at a Malaysian airport. From The Wall Street Journal:
“The longstanding order has been executed,” said Lee Cheol-woo, who heads the​ South Korean​legislature’s intelligence committee, which oversees the spy agency, according to an aide of his in the session with the spy chief. “It reflects Kim Jong Un’s propensity for paranoia, rather than his calculated act of removing a threat to his rule.”

Posted by William A. Jacobson on February 15, 2017 9 Comments
The press conference is now over. Video below. Quick Takes: Much warmer relationship than the tense Obama-Bibi appearances, where they could hardly contain their disdain for each other. Substantively, Trump did exactly what any good mediator would do -- not try to impose a solution on the parties. His point was that whatever form a peace deal takes that is acceptable to the parties, it's acceptable to him.

Posted by Mary Chastain on February 15, 2017 2 Comments
Secretary of Defense Jim Mattis has told America's NATO allies that President Donald Trump's administration stands behind its allies. However, he also reiterated that other members must step up in costs:
"It's a fair demand that all who benefit from the best defense in the world carry their proportionate share of the necessary cost to defend freedom," Mattis said.

Posted by Mark Finkelstein on February 15, 2017 34 Comments
As far as Mika Brzezinski is concerned, Kellyanne Conway should not be permitted to appear on Morning Joe. Said Mika this morning: "Joe was just saying that she books herself on these shows, we know for a fact she tries to book herself on this show. I won't do it. Because I don't believe in fake news or information that is not true." Later, Mika laid down a personal marker, a virtual ultimatum. Warning Conway not to contact the show, Mika said: "I will say, Kellyanne Conway does not need to text our show. At least, as long as I'm on it. Because it's not happening here."

Posted by Mike LaChance on February 15, 2017 21 Comments
While the media obsesses over the Trump White House day after day, they are largely neglecting to report that a battle is still raging for the soul of the Democratic Party. Chelsea Clinton is gearing up for her turn at bat, but the progressive wing of the party isn't interested. The Washington Times reports:
‘Never Chelsea’ movement grows among liberal activists They weren’t ready for Hillary, and now they’re definitely not ready for her daughter, Chelsea Clinton.

Posted by David Gerstman on February 15, 2017 4 Comments
Hamas, the terrorist group dedicated to Israel's destruction, in the Gaza Strip has a new leader, and it shouldn't be surprising that he's a convicted murderer. Convicted of the murder of other Palestinians who had been accused of helping Israel, Yehya Sinwar was imprisoned in 1989 and served 22 years until he was released six years ago as part of the deal to release Israeli soldier Gilad Shalit. Sinwar is on the U.S. "Specially Designated [Terrorist] Nationals" List.

Posted by William A. Jacobson on February 14, 2017 6 Comments
Rasmea Odeh is rising to prominence in radical circles in the U.S. In addition to injecting her anti-Israel activism into Black Lives Matter protests, which we previously covered, Rasmea is part of a group organizing a planned "national strike" of women in March 2017, to protest Donald Trump. Rasmea also has been fully embraced by the anti-Israel Jewish Voice for Peace, which has supported her for a long time and which is featuring her on a panel at JVP's upcoming annual conference.
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