When Even the Far Left Miami Herald Gets It

…Washington, you have a problem.

Keep the Cuban trade embargo

Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton will be in Miami today — and reports are that she’s going to tackle Miami’s Cuban exile community’s historic third rail question: Should the 50-plus-year-old U.S. trade embargo on Cuba be lifted?

…Mrs. Clinton’s support for lifting the embargo reflects a political calculation about the evolution of the Cuban exile community in Miami. It has indeed evolved, which is why we support the normalization process.

But at some point there must be evolution on the other side, as well. One does not have to be a hardliner to expect a quid pro quo of some kind as this process moves forward. Simply put, Cuba hasn’t earned the embargo’s end. Far from it.

Despite months of talks between the two countries that began in December with President Obama’s announcement that relations would be normalized, we have yet to see any significant actions by the Castro regime that will benefit the United States or enhance the civil liberties and freedoms of the Cuban people.

Internally, the regime maintains the same repressive attitude that has allowed it to stay in power for decades. That includes harassment of peaceful groups like the famed Ladies in White for a series of successive Sundays, when they engage in peaceful marches. The daily arrests, acts of repudiation and censorship of any person or group that questions the official line are still in place…

At least they’re a few centrifuges short of a bomb.

Of ALL the People Exaggerating a Physical Encounter With Police

…you’d NEVER guess one of them to be the delightful Ted Rall, would you?

Coulda knocked me over with a feather.

Ted Rall, Los Angeles Times cartoonist, dropped after blog post appears to stretch the truth

A left-wing cartoonist’s recent depiction of a 14-year-old encounter with the LAPD has gotten him canned as a freelance contributor to the LA Times after the paper said it had “serious questions” about the accuracy of the encounter.

Ted Rall, whose illustrator’s pen has targeted the intellect of U.S. troops in Iraq and the widows of terror attack victims, was dropped by the Times after a May 11 blog post in which he said he was “roughed” up by police for jaywalking in 2001.

…

“An audiotape of the encounter recorded by the police officer does not back up Rall’s assertions; it gives no indication that there was physical violence of any sort by the policeman or that Rall’s license was thrown into the sewer or that he was handcuffed,”

the Times wrote on Thursday in the space above where Rall’s blog post was originally published. “Nor is there any evidence on the recording of a crowd of shouting onlookers.”

Rall “stands by his blog post,” according to the Times.

Rall defends himself in a nearly 2,500-word post on anewdomain.net, including why, when his encounter with the LAPD was over, he asked the officer for dining recommendations.

“Listening to the tape now, I can’t imagine what I was thinking,” Rall writes.

“The only explanation I can fathom is that I had classic Stockholm Syndrome. I was stunned at the time. Not that I’m comparing myself with a rape victim — far from it — but now I better understand why sometimes a raped woman will question pressing charges or call a date-rapist at home hours after he left her. I was blathering nonsense, I guess.”

No, you are “blathering nonsense” NOW, Teddy.

Who Knew?

  
There’s a lot of territory between “no war with Russia” and “Putin is your friend ” it seems to me.
These people are nucking futs.

The NewsHour Gets a Gun Violence

…reality check last night before, of course, bringing in Mark Kelly.

…JUDY WOODRUFF: And yet we saw — and in fact what we saw in the last week, killings that didn’t get the kind of publicity that the shootings in Chattanooga, this one in Louisiana, there were family — families involved.

MEGHAN HOYER: Exactly. Yes.

There were five mass killings this week. That doesn’t include the shooting in the theater last night. Again, the majority of those were family killings, a family found dead in Modesto, a woman and her children, a family in Oklahoma where two teenagers have been arrested and the rest of their family has — was stabbed.

JUDY WOODRUFF: And, again, these are the kinds of things that often don’t get the kind of attention.

MEGHAN HOYER: Right, they might get the regional attention, but they don’t get the national buzz.

JUDY WOODRUFF: What about the guns that are used? What did you learn about whether they are gotten legally or not?

MEGHAN HOYER: Well, in terms of mass killings, about three-quarters of them are committed with guns. That means the other quarter of them are not gun-related at all.

Of the gun killings, what we have seen are that most guns are handguns. They are not these high-capacity assault rifles or high-capacity assault weapons that we hear so much about. We looked a little bit at legal vs. non-legal acquisition. In a majority of cases, they’re acquired legally.

And even in cases where they’re not, what experts say is that these are people who tend to be very determined. And where there’s a will, there’s a way.

Even if they have been banned from getting guns, if they have a prior record, generally, they find a way to find a weapon.

Do As I Say AND As I Do…

300 schoolgirls unavailable for comment despite hashtags.

Obama warns African leaders fighting BokoHaram not to go after Islamic radicals too much or risk creating "more problems than they solve"

— Richard Grenell (@RichardGrenell) July 25, 2015

One Homeless Guy In A Wheelchair Vs 10 Members Of The LAPD

“He’s coming right for us!!!”

LOS ANGELES (CBSLA.com) — Authorities say they are investigating an incident involving officers believed to have used bean-bag rounds and a Taser on a homeless man in a wheelchair.

Officers allege that the man later identified as Christopher Zareck, 43, tried to attack them, but their actions are being criticized.

…The footage shows 10 LAPD officers surrounding Zareck, and shouts can be heard.
Two bean bags are then heard being fired at the man before a third round is discharged, according to the footage.
Zareck, still in a wheelchair, appears to kick his legs and scream, at which point officers move in and subdue him with a Taser, reported CBS2’s Peter Daut.

Makes Perfect Sense to Me

@CBCCanada Ship studying Global Warming blocked by unusual and heavy summer ice on Hudson Bay.

— Bronco Bob (@BroncoBob360) July 22, 2015

Life With A 21-Yr-Old

Backstory: The power adapter on Daughter’s laptop is fraying, so being the Concerned Father that I am I texted her about getting her a new one…

(verbatim transcription of the messages)

Bingley: You have the 15 MacBook Pro right? 2012?

Daughter: Not sure but I think so yeah

Daughter: Pretty Sure

Bingley: Do you have it in front of you?

Daughter: I am out drinking actually

Bingley: Haha much better!

Time To Write A Strong Letter

What’s a few chants of “Death to America” amongst friends?

U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry said a speech by Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei on Saturday vowing to defy American policies in the region despite a deal with world powers over Tehran’s nuclear program was “very disturbing”.

“I don’t know how to interpret it at this point in time, except to take it at face value, that that’s his policy,” he said in the interview with Saudi-owned Al Arabiya television, parts of which the network quoted on Tuesday.

“But I do know that often comments are made publicly and things can evolve that are different. If it is the policy, it’s very disturbing, it’s very troubling,” he added.

Ayatollah Khamenei told supporters on Saturday that U.S. policies in the region were “180 degrees” opposed to Iran’s, at a speech in a Tehran mosque punctuated by chants of “Death to America” and “Death to Israel”.

But no worries because Kerry and Obama assure us that Iran will have the most peaceful nukes ever.

Five Dead Military Members

…but of COURSE we should be worried about…anxious MUSLIMS.

Chattanooga Muslims mourning, anxious after shootings

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (AP) — As the death toll rose to five, a handful of governors ordered National Guardsmen to take up arms in response to the brazen attacks on two Tennessee military sites.

In Chattanooga, a city that prides itself on strong ties between people of different faiths, some Muslims feared the community’s perception of them had changed after the shooting rampage Thursday. A 24-year-old man and fellow Muslim killed four Marines and wounded three others, including a sailor who died Saturday from his wounds.

Mohsin Ali, a member of the Islamic Society of Greater Chattanooga, said he hoped the local community didn’t dissolve into turmoil the way others have in the region over the building of mosques and other matters. Peaceful coexistence has largely prevailed here.

“We, our kids, feel 100 percent American and Chattanoogan,” said the Pakistani-born Ali, who is a child psychiatrist. “Now they are wondering if that is how people still look at them.”

Personally, I think they should be looking at themselves…but that’s just me.

THIS!

Rubio's line of "Are you coming here to live in America or are you coming here to be an American?" is going to stick.

— Stephen Miller (@redsteeze) July 18, 2015

We Are Heartsick, Angry

…and just feel ill.

Your heart is simply torn out, seeing their faces and learning more about these slaughtered Marines.

Slain Marine’s last words to girlfriend: “ACTIVE SHOOTER”

The Marine Corps has identified the four men killed in an attack on two military facilities in Chattanooga, Tennessee.

They were identified Friday by the Marines as Gunnery Sgt. Thomas J. Sullivan of Hampden, Massachusetts; Staff Sgt. David A. Wyatt of Burke, North Carolina; Sgt. Carson A. Holmquist of Polk, Wisconsin; and Lance Cpl. Squire K. Wells of Cobb County, Georgia, who a family spokesman says went by Skip.

…Skip Wells
Lance Cpl. Squire Wells was swapping text messages Thursday with his girlfriend of 2 1/2 years, excited that she had booked a flight to visit him in Chattanooga after months apart.

“Can’t wait anymore,” Wells texted. “Yes you can honey,” his girlfriend, Caroline Dove, replied.

His next two words would be the last she’d ever hear from him.

“ACTIVE SHOOTER,” he wrote.

She thought he was kidding: “You are so weird,” she replied.

Hours of silence. “I love you,” she tried. Hours more passed, the news out of Chattanooga becoming clearer. “Hon, I need you to answer me please,” she wrote.

It would not be until Friday that she learned his fate…

…Thomas Sullivan
Ripples of grief were apparent as a stream of visitors brought flowers, food and gifts Friday to the Hampden, Massachusetts, home of Jerry and Betty Sullivan, the parents of Gunnery Sgt. Thomas Sullivan. A police officer was stationed outside to keep reporters and onlookers away. Masslive.com said Sullivan, 40, grew up in Springfield, Massachusetts.

The Pentagon said he had been enlisted nearly 18 years, serving two tours of duty in Iraq and earning two Purple Hearts.

His hometown mayor, Dominic Sarno, called Sullivan a man who “dedicated his life in brave service.” Gov. Charlie Baker ordered flags to half-staff as he proclaimed “Terror comes home to Massachusetts.” Sullivan’s unit – India Battery, 3rd Battalion, 12th Marines – called him “one of our own” on its Facebook page. A giant U.S. flag and another representing the Marine Corps hung outside a Springfield restaurant owned by Sullivan’s brother Joseph.

“He was our hero,” read a post on the Facebook page of Nathan Bill’s Bar and Restaurant, “and he will never be forgotten.”…

…Carson Holmquist
So proud a Marine was Sgt. Carson Holmquist that when he finished boot camp, he returned to his hometown of Grantsburg, Wisconsin, and paid a visit to his high school dressed in his formal blues. Grantsburg High School Principal Josh Watt, who was one of Holmquist’s football coaches, remembers the day his former cornerback showed up, the pride in his accomplishment apparent.

“When he became a Marine he was very proud of that,” Watt said Friday…

…David Wyatt
Tony Ward remembered Staff Sgt. David Wyatt as the young Boy Scout who would run up mountains, just for fun, seeking to best the time of others.

Ward, who now lives in Helena, Montana, was Wyatt’s scoutmaster when he was in high school in Russellville, Arkansas. Wyatt and Ward’s son were good friends and worked together at a Boy Scout camp. He said Wyatt attained the Eagle Scout rank and graduated from high school in 1991. He was married with young children, Ward said.

…

“He’s the kind of man that this country needs more of,” he said.

Lord knows that was true of every single one of these tremendous Leathernecks. God bless you guys and hold your families close.
Semper Fi.

Ah, The Port Authority 

They’ve worked so hard to clean you up, but sometimes your old self comes through.

Like a few minutes ago when I saw a condom in a urinal.

No Word Yet On Choking

CDC: Don’t kiss your chicken

The CDC put out a warning asking chicken owners not to snuggle or kiss their birds for fear of contracting salmonella.

He Was Alive Before They Shot Him

…Eight goddamned times

Video shows police shooting dead unarmed man in Los Angeles

Of course the cops were not charged.

Tells You ALL You Need to Know About Teachers’ Unions

The membership is apparently pissed the union endorsed Hillary without asking…the membership. So WHO is the default choice?

@lacetothetop This endorsement has definitely mobilized support for @SenSanders! #FeelTheBern.

— Tara Molloy-Grocki (@tmgrocki) July 12, 2015

I Think the Word the Prizzy Meant to Use

…is “BONED”.

Iran, world powers agree to nuclear deal

…”Every pathway to a nuclear weapon is cut off,” Obama said, claiming it provides for extensive inspections. “This deal is not built on trust. It is built on verification.”

…While some members of Congress had urged comprehensive inspections of Iran’s nuclear sites, the deal in hand gives Iran much leverage over that process. The agreement requires international inspectors to ask Iran’s permission first, after which Iran has 14 days to decide whether to grant it. If not, the same group of nations that struck the deal would have another 10 days to make their decision about what to do next. While the international group may have final say, the set-up essentially gives Iran 24 days to drag out the process, though officials say this is not enough time to hide all evidence of illicit conduct.

If EVER there was a time for the GOP majority Congress to ACT like it had a clue, I would vote for NOW.

SHUT. THIS. ABOMINATION. DOWN.

Happy Bastille Day!

  
We’ll always have Paris 

Tsipras: Drachma Queen

All the bluster, the referendum, all for, er, well, nothing

Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras surrendered to European demands for immediate action to qualify for up to 86 billion euros ($95 billion) of aid Greece needs to stay in the euro.

After a six-month offensive against German-inspired austerity succeeded only in deepening his country’s economic mess and antagonizing his European counterparts, there was no face-saving compromise on offer for Tsipras at a rancorous summit that ran for more than 17 hours.

What was the point of all the drachma drama if he was just going to kick the can down the road anyway?

I mean, does anyone really think that the Greek economy will suddenly start producing surpluses?

All he’s managed to do with this emotional Mediterranean chest pounding, whipping up the populace with all his “humiliation” talk, is reserve himself a spot on a lamp post it seems to me.

In the end he collapsed like a wet gyro.

Touch MY Entree

…I kill you.

“A young French Muslim shouts in Paris restaurant “People can’t eat because it’s the ramadan“. After he reverses tables, and throws food on the ground.”

Jesse Watters Is My Hero

Seen In A Chicago Cab

And The Rocket’s Red Glare!

The bombs heads bursting in air

CALAIS, Maine (AP) — A 22-year-old man who was drinking and celebrating the Fourth of July tried to launch a firework off the top of his head, killing him instantly, authorities said Sunday.

Devon Staples and his friends had been drinking and setting off fireworks Saturday night in the backyard of a friend’s home in eastern Maine, said Stephen McCausland, a spokesman for the state Department of Public Safety.

Staples, 22, of Calais, a small city on the Canadian border, placed a reloadable fireworks mortar tube on his head and told his friends he was going to light it, McCausland said. But his friends urged him to stop.

“Apparently, he thought that was a great idea,” McCausland said. “His friends they thought dissuaded him from doing it, and the next thing they knew, he ignited the fireworks and he was killed instantly.”

Staples’s brother Cody told the Daily News of New York that he was a few feet away when his brother lit the firework and was the first to come to his side after it exploded.

“There was no rushing him to the hospital. There was no Devon left when I got there,” said 25-year-old Cody Staples, who called it an accident.

My goodness.

Checking My #WhitePrivilege for Culpability: Nope

Wasn’t me.

Sun-Times Breaking UPDATE: 7 dead, 38 injured in July 4th weekend shootings.

ths update:

Fourth of July weekend shootings have left EIGHT people dead — including a 7-year-old boy — and at least 42 others injured since Thursday evening.

ths update redux: WHAT was that I was saying below…?

Supt. McCarthy: Slain Boy’s Dad A ‘Ranking’ Gang Member, Not Cooperating With Authorities

Including a seven year old, precious baby boy, shot in the chest while watching fireworks.

This is ONE. Frickin’. WEEKEND. In the city.

But let’s all piss and moan about cops, as if this carnage happened every weekend at the hands of police officers, shall we? Let’s totally abrogate our responsibility as a community to look in the mirror and act, instead of blame the world for what happens in your own household, in the street in front of your house and to your children. Let’s blame every white person in the United States for the fact that the predators in your community prey on you and yours unimpeded, while the perpetual, professional victim grievance committees point everywhere but in the mirror.

No cop killed those people this weekend. Or the weekend before. Or the one before that. No confederate flag flew as they gunned down a child. And, once his family wails in anguish and the sobs subside, no one will remember that baby boy at all. Because I guarantee you, there will be another shortly to take his place.

And no one will march for them, nor will their names become a national symbol of the disgrace that this violence against each other truly is, yet many of you will jump yet again behind the usual attention whores when a police shooting goes horribly wrong. Or the rare nutcase goes on a rampage. Without ever demanding of those bombastic, self aggrandizing “leaders” of yours accountability for their absence in the face of the internecine war in your own front yard.

It STILL Is the Most Wonderful Country on Earth

Happy Fourth of July