Category: National

* It was disappointing to see a Kennedy as a Trump stooge. Exiting from an audience with Donald Trump the other day was Robert F. Kennedy Jr., who is an anti-vaccine crusader. Trump had asked him to lead a new government commission on vaccine safety and scientific integrity.

So, heads up. Here come debunked conspiracy theories back into the news cycle–along with further political polarization.

* When Ronald Reagan was president–at 69, the oldest ever elected–there were jokes about his age. As in who his “senior” advisers would actually be. Thomas Jefferson? James Madison? Fast forward to now and the new oldest-ever-elected president, Donald Trump, 70. One of his “senior” advisers is son-in-law Jared Kushner, 36, roughly half Trump’s age. It’s still a joke–only now the humor is dark and mired in nepotism charges.

* Those Russian hacking allegations, which even Donald Trump now concedes, should have surprised no one with a frame of reference for the cloak-and-dagger Cold War with the Soviet Union–as well as the renewed Cold War atmosphere in Russia under former KGB operative Vladimir Putin. Paranoid, authoritarian and humiliated over the Soviet implosion, Putin and many other Russians were convinced that the U.S. had orchestrated, among other things, protests in Ukraine in 2014 that toppled a pro-Moscow government. They also believe former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton was more than encouraging to anti-Putin protestors in the most recent Russian presidential election.

So pay-back hacking is merely the modern, technological version of what the Soviets used to do. And that includes trying to directly influence a presidential election.

In his 1995 memoir, “In Confidence,” Anatoly Dobrynin, the former Russian ambassador to the U.S., recounts a role he was asked to play in the 1968 election. The Russians wanted Hubert H. Humphrey to win, not the avowed anti-Communist, presumably anti-Soviet Richard Nixon. So Dobrynin was instructed, he wrote, to provide Humphrey “any conceivable help in his election campaign–including financial aid.” In the case of Russia, the past is definitely prologue.

* Fake news can only go so far, it would seem. But intelligence-related outtakes that have yielded “golden showers” references–in president-elect context–was a new low. The fact that it even seems credible–even to the, uh, mainstream media–is beyond a national embarrassment.

*Imagine what an Obama retrospective could look like after four years of in-your-face arrogance, scandal-mongering, impeachment scenarios and geopolitical babel. How ironic–and karmic–even if Mitch McConnell will never admit it.

* It would be shocking if President Trump turns out to be anything different from President-elect Trump. He is–as we’ve seen from “The Apprentice” and tabloid lore through campaign debates and bombastic pre-presidency–a scorpion. He doesn’t change. He can’t change. Not when you’re a brand. It’s a major reason why a portion of the electorate channeled him.

* What’s particularly unsettling and “unpresidented,” however, is Trump’s Twitter fixation. It’s scary what 140 characters in the small fingers of the narcissist-in-chief with the nuclear codes could mean.

It was hardly consoling to hear Trump’s press secretary, Sean Spicer, address that reality. “I do not get a memo,” acknowledged Spicer. “He drives the train on this.” Apparently the only question is whether President Tweet will get sidetracked into using the official @POTUS handle or rely more on his fan favorite, @realDonald Trump.

A more sobering assessment of presidential tweeting in the new Administration is that of outgoing CIA Director John Brennan. “Spontaneity is not something that protects national security interests,” underscored Brennan.

* However it’s couched, the Trump Administration will have a bottom-line, credibility criterion when it comes to successfully replacing the Affordable Care Act. Those previously uninsured until the ACA–all 20 million of them–now have to retain affordable insurance. And the remaining uncovered 28 million must be afforded coverage. And if that happens, one thing is certain: It won’t be marketplace dynamics, tax credits et al, as usual. Have to wonder if Mitt Romney(care) is awaiting a call.

Marco Rubio outted himself again the other day during the Senate Foreign Relations Committee hearing that was questioning Secretary of State nominee Rex Tillerson.

Aggressive inquiries, especially of someone with Tillerson’s problematic background, are called for. But pointedly asking Tillerson “Is Vladimir Putin a war criminal?” is not helpful. Whatever we think of the Trump-Putin bromance, we shouldn’t want needlessly worse relations than we now have.

Not agreeing with Rubio that Putin was a war criminal made Tillerson look diplomatic to a fault. Conversely, it positioned Rubio as a no-nonsense, street-smart sort–unless Tillerson agreed with him–and took the bait. That can be a fraught situation, when, in a global world, every word–whether it’s a confirmation-hearing response or a State of the Union address–sends international signals that transcend domestic politics.

But Rubio has a key committee vote and, thus, leverage. His performance was a less-than-subtle  reminder that he’s still around and still a possible Republican-establishment alternative to President Tweet. Another grandstanding reminder was his extraction of a promise from Tillerson that, if confirmed, he would recommend that Trump veto any bill lifting the Cuban embargo. This is obviously not in the best interest of America or Cuba–but it still plays well among the usual suspects.

This Q&A was supposed to be an exercise in probing the readiness of Rex Tillerson to be secretary of state. Instead, it was a self-evident, self-serving forum for Rubio.

I’m no advocate of capital punishment. But the case of white supremacist coward Dylann Roof, the unrepentant, hate-crime murderer, taxes all certitude. Only one compromise: He should have been sentenced to life without parole–but no isolation. Just put him into the general prisoner population. That would have been as close to an appropriate punishment as could be meted out.

We know that Esteban Santiago killed five and wounded eight more in his cold-blooded, planned attack at the Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport. Less than two months prior, the former national guardsman with a less-than-honorable discharge walked into the FBI office in Anchorage and said the U.S. government was controlling his mind and forcing him to watch ISIS group videos. There were also some domestic violence issues in his immediate past. He had a gun and a newborn baby in his car and a loaded magazine on his person.

Warning signs, anyone?

They took his gun, evaluated him for a few days, released him and returned his weapon. Another day at the Anchorage office. No follow-up and free to fly anywhere. Santiago then bought a one-way ticket to Fort Lauderdale, took no luggage except his unloaded gun and ammo that he legally checked separately, and opened fire at the baggage carousel upon landing.

Where to start? Let’s begin with federal rules that look like they could have been written by Florida legislators. They allow airline passengers, including the manifestly mentally unhinged, to transport unloaded firearms as checked baggage. Ammo can also be carried separately in checked baggage. The firearm, ammunition and owner can later be reunited upon arrival in an unsecured area. Santiago broke no laws until he murdered five innocents awaiting their luggage.

Apparently treating areas such as baggage claims, check-in counters and passenger pickup zones the same as we treat screening checkpoints could be a logistical nightmare in many airports. But let’s at least treat the transportation of weapons with some common sense. The onus is on the passenger to make a compelling case for needing to have his weapon and magazine clips along for the ride.

“You can’t have (more than) 3.4 ounces of shampoo, but we’re allowing people to travel with guns?” rhetorically asks tourism and security expert Peter Tarlow. That security incongruity made little sense before Fort Lauderdale. It makes none now. There’s nothing as tragic as a preventable tragedy.

* Ever notice that when Donald Trump says something that’s not bombastic or controversial–and, indeed, could be said by a normal president-elect–he can’t help throwing in a qualifying gotcha line or a hint of self-serving nuance? To wit:

After he had received his highly-publicized intelligence briefing: “It was a really great meeting. I learned a lot, and I think they did also.” From whom?

Explaining his criticism of House Republicans who had announced plans to weaken the independent Office of Congressional Ethics: “With all that Congress has to work on, do they really have to make the weakening of the Independent Ethics Watchdog, as unfair as it may be, their number one act and priority?”

Elaborating ever so slightly on the great wall of Mexico: “And they will pay for it” has become “and they will reimburse us.”

* Some Trump supporters have defended the Electoral College and his popular vote deficit of 2.9 million votes by pointing out that Hillary Clinton won California by more some 4.3 million votes. Therefore, Clinton actually lost the other 49 states by about 1.5 million votes. Why should the rest of the country have to abide by what easily addled California wants?

Excellent point. One man, one vote is so over-rated. Perhaps left-leaning, individual California voters should only count, say, 3/5? There’s precedent.

Yeah, that sub-head was meant to do what it just did. From cringe to outrage to insult.

This concerns a matter that deserves more than another feel-good, racial “conversation.” It warrants brutal honesty and come-to-Jesus accountability.

In this country too many people, disproportionately black, die murderous deaths. Sometimes at the hands of racist white cops. Sometimes at the hands of black cops who are part of a self-perpetuating system that combines street profiling with adrenalin rushes. But more often at the hands of other blacks, especially gangbangers.

And, now, this just in. Authorities say there were 762 homicides in Chicago in 2016. No other American city is even close. The vast majority of these murders occurred on the city’s South and West sides–predominantly black and gang infested.

Looking for a positive sign in the new year–other than tough talk by the mayor and police chief–that this will change? How about the day “Black Lives Matter” decides to make the Windy City the national epicenter of its movement? A renamed “All Lives Matter” movement would no longer countenance a message that hypocritically implies that black lives SELECTIVELY  matter. A counterproductive message that still says that if no cop is involved, it’s just another tragic day in the hood.

No need to go all demonstrative and rhetorical.

Instead, it would say to America: Too many African-Americans die murderous deaths. But it’s more than police overkill. It’s a gun-and-gang culture as well as institutional racism. And it’s hardly an afterthought that 2016 was a brutal year for police officers killed–sometimes executed–in the line of duty.

Everybody has to be at the proverbial table. And the agenda has to be accountability, candor and solution–not  blame, reproach and scapegoating.

How’s this for a “BLM” New Year’s resolution? Change the name, retool the message, make a statement in Chicago and rally against gun violence and murder wherever and however it rears its unconscionable presence. It MATTERS that much.

* Two words nobody should want to see in the same sentence: “Trump” and “nuclear.”

And one topic no one should want to see as the subject of a president-elect tweet: nuclear policy. Is nothing serious enough to be off limits to knee-jerk tweeting to fans?

* A recent comment by Trump aide Anthony Scaramucci spoke volumes about Trump’s campaign appeal and his president-elect and presidential MO. “Don’t take him literally, take him symbolically,” Scaramucci explained.

He might as well have said: “Who the hell’s kidding who here? You hear what you want to hear. That’s how code language from a cult political figure works. You think George Wallace was really just talking about ‘states’ rights'”?

* More than a few Trump enablers and apologists–national and local–have selectively and disingenuously used Ronald Reagan as a Trump model–and a rationale for excusing a lack of foreign-policy experience. From upbeat “morning in America” and “shining city on a hill” perspective–likened to a “Make America Great Again” rallying cry–to the pull-no-punches, straight-talking exponent of military strength and leverage who won the Cold War.

But let’s never forget one key Reagan variable: timing. In Soviet President Mikhail Gorbachev, Reagan had the epitome of sane and the antithesis of authoritarian to work with. He was our kind of Russian. Vladimir Putin is not.

Two existential threats to world order could be courting mourning in America. Unless, of course, some “Mr. Putin: Tear down this hacking obsession” rhetoric resonates in the Kremlin.

Founding Father rationales, however ironic, for the Electoral College have resurfaced for rehashing for obvious reasons. An EC victory by Donald Trump, who is less than a plurality president-elect by popular vote, will induce no less.

But let’s not forget the 22nd Amendment. Ratified in 1951, it precludes anyone from being elected president more than twice. Among those who have pondered its implications: incumbent President Barack Obama. The one who Mitch McConnell vowed to make a one-term president. The one who is now nearing a 60 percent approval rating, according to Gallup’s most recent survey.

“I’m confident that if I had run again and articulated (a hope and change vision), I think I could’ve mobilized a majority of the American people to rally behind me,” candidly observed Obama.

He’s right. Trump rallying Hillary haters and Duck Dynasty voters would not have been enough to overcome amped-up minority and anti-Trump Democratic turnout in key swing states.

And if there were no 22nd Amendment? Michelle would have talked him out of it.

* “If you see something, say something.”

Remember when that sounded a trifle over-reactive, if not paranoid? No more. Now it’s a self-evident idiom that appeals to our collective, common-sense approach to security in the disquieting context of the world’s new terrorism normal.

And remember when profiling sounded more than a trifle discriminatory? Now it’s a societal slippery slope–but when in doubt, damn well say something.

* Here’s hoping that someday soon the “no party affiliation” crowd gets to weigh in on major party primaries. Any potential governor on candidates with least-common-denominator, pander appeal should be welcomed.

*The FAA has announced that drone sales this year are double what they were last year. And, yes, reports of block-buster popularity for drones as Christmas gifts were not exaggerated. Obvious downside: “Here’s looking at you” isn’t supposed to be so literal.

* Wearing a baseball cap backwards has been a fashion staple for a while. But it still makes no sense outdoors in the Sunshine State, hipness notwithstanding, to have the visor facing a non-functional direction.

However, if we’re talking “Make America Great Again” caps, by all means point them in the other direction.

* The electors have now voted. The die of all dies is cast. Our worst nightmare will be confirmed: We have not been binge watching a Netflix sequel. The House of Shards is happening.

* Alexander Hamilton wrote most of the Federalist papers. For obvious reasons, a quote of his on the Electoral College has resurfaced. The Electoral College, he noted in Federalist No. 68, “affords a moral certainty, that the office of president will never fall to the lot of any man who is not in an eminent degree endowed with the requisite qualifications.”

What electoral irony. Hamilton was pushing the prudence of a counterweight to mob rule. Now the Electoral College rubber stamps the embodiment of the loudest drunk buying the last round at last call. Sorry, AH. Aaron Burr never looked so good.

* To those still rationalizing Trump’s billionaire-populist, bumper-sticker appeal, recall one of the more quotable lines from his “Art of the Deal.” Remember when “I play to people’s fantasies” used to be harmless, self-evident, pop-culture piffle? That was then; this is not.

* Conflict of interest. From the Trump brand and non-blind trust business interests to the ExxonMobil mogul with a crony in the Kremlin and energy interests and sanction subplots all over Russia, does this term have any meaning at all any longer?

* Golden elevator-door photo-ops: Trump and Mitt Romney; Trump and Al Gore; Trump and Kanye West. You can’t make this up. It could be worse–but Trump-Elizabeth Warren won’t happen even in this parallel political universe. Besides, she’s already preparing for those confirmation hearings.

At least we have something to look forward to.

* The nomination of David Friedman, the bankruptcy lawyer aligned with the Israeli far-right, is rife with implications for U.S.-Israeli relations and the two-state, peace scenario. The outspoken Friedman has likened liberal Jews in America to the Jews who aided the Nazis in the Holocaust. An announcement of a Trump Tower Jerusalem would say it all.