While processing these hyperlinks, an eye is directed towards avoiding tangential [albeit entertaining]

commentary; this may explain why the bulk of the database is derived from Breitbart and Drudge, for
those articles are often oriented towards providing an incrementally-clarified view of a given topic.
More domestic-related issues are covered herein, reserving the next one for Israel/Gaza; it will then,
again, be hoped that updates wont have to be as lengthy [although info that isnt online must be
cut/pasted, such as the morning-jolts by NROs Jim Geraghty]. In any case, note that the usual panoply
of political concerns continues to rage-on, although hope springs eternal that people will appreciate the
ongoing damage BHO is doing to the USA [as captured by Dinesh DSouza, vide infra]. Critique invited.

It is desirable to complete the informal digest of Dinesh DSouzas America [having
already covered chapters 1-5, 6-8, 9-11, 12, and 13-15 plus extended commentary on
the movie]. The final Chapter [16] claims Decline is a Choice while predicting its
inevitability [hoping Americas being replaced by China/India will be gradual rather than
sudden]; this rather gloomy perspective is not included in the movie, a point that now
was conveyed to the author for critique. Returning to the initial effort to counter the
attack-review of [lib] Stu Bykofsky in which he decried the final-third of the flick [which
overtly attacked BHO], it is necessary to note that this ties together the progressive
arguments that had led to the indictments [first-third] prior to their refutation [second-
third]. Both works [the book and the movie] are cohesive although, as discussed
episodically, I detected a few potential-flaws; fortunately, the book ends on an upbeat
argument, namely, that it remains possible to restore America to the roots of
Founders/Framers. [Exemplifying a point of departure from what has otherwise been a
well-documented tome, is the claim that American filth has been rejected worldwide;
on the other hand, he segues into a triad-phrase that is memorable: At one time, the
East wanted to be modern and Western. Then it wanted to be modern and didnt mind
being Western. Now it wants to be modern without being Western.] Overall, this is a
wonderful book written well, it almost harbors a breezy style, but it remains serious
about its goals.

Recalling that the focus of the prior Blast e-mail was to sound the alarum regarding what occurred
yesterday in Congress; after having remitted it, a bit more research overnight revealed additional data
that appear corroborative of my concern that adoption of ANY immigration-related legislation could
trigger a House vote that would yield Comprehensive Immigration Reform. I have been harping on this
issue for a fortnight [noting that my fortune-cookie yesterday reads: A danger foreseen is half-
avoided] and I worry that, coupled with whatever level of amnesty BHO will soon Executively Order,
the influx and the permanence of these individuals will become a fait accompli. Granted, short-term
messaging contrasts a do-nothing Senate with the Houses passage of the bills, but the long-term
impact of what happened [which would take years of legal challenges to undo] must be weighed ASAP;
perhaps some sort of a Statement can be elicited from Boehner +/- GOP-leaders???

Democrats have a long term political goal of granting amnesty to millions of current
illegal aliens whom they see as Democratic voters in-waiting. And by all indications
House Republican leaders are playing right into their hands. Senate Democrats are
angling to include the entire Gang of Eight bill in a conference committee with
whatever border crisis bill comes out of the House of Representatives and they expect
Speaker John Boehner to cave in when they do it.

STOCKMAN said the Houses BORDER BILL'S was 'A TRAP', claiming it empowered BHO.

DEMS PITCHED LINKING IMMIGRATION REFORM WITH BORDER BILL. - Senate Dems are
actively warning they may try to attach the Gang of Eight's comprehensive immigration
reform bill to the package if House Republicans pass a pared-down funding bill for the
border crisis. The complicated calculus reflects the fact that the Senate's own $3.57
billion border supplemental legislation appears unlikely to clear a procedural vote on
Wednesday. So if the House is able to pass its $659 million package later this week,
Senate Democrats may press to attach their sweeping 2013 immigration reform bill to
the House's legislation.

As much as Im critical of the outcome, it is curious that Politico claimed the NEW GOP LEADERS
STUMBLED OUT OF THE BLOCKS on Thursday [after the Immigration bill had been pulled] but, after
CRUZ CRACKED CONSERVATIVE WHIP TO THWART LEADERS, the bifurcated/rewritten bills were passed;
of course, its inaccurate to claim he met with congressmen with a goal to thwart Boehner et al.,
because the outcome was indubitably altered in the process. ONCE AGAIN, TED CRUZ appeared to be
the driving force behind the House's change in strategy. The tea party senator, often blamed for last
fall's government shutdown, lobbied House conservatives to vote against the original border package,
which did not include the deportation provision. The effort by Sen. Ted Cruz (Tex.), who made his pitch
to a group of House Republicans in a closed-door evening meeting, marked another direct shot at
attempts by Speaker John A. Boehner (R-Ohio) to deal with the influx of illegal immigrants arriving from
Central America. Defeat of border legislation in the House would have delivered another embarrassing
blow to Boehner and his leadership team, which had struggled to contain the party's restive tea party
caucus. It also would serve as the latest example of Cruz wading into House affairs and working against
the agenda of GOP leaders.

TEA PARTY FORCED HOUSE GOP TO SWITCH UP IMMIGRATION STRATEGY; there was
chaos over the House border bill as Congress prepared to break for the August recess.
House Republicans voted to rein in Obamas power to halt deportation for
undocumented immigrants, a surprise move that came as they struggled to attract
support for their bill to address the crisis at the border. The new plan, described by
multiple GOP aides Wednesday evening, comes as House Republicans were unable to
lock-up 218 GOP lawmakers to vote for the $659 million emergency funding package.
On Wednesday evening, House GOP leadership was setting up a process that would
schedule a Thursday vote on the Republican funding package. When it passed, the
House voted on legislation targeting the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals
program, which has shielded from deportation hundreds of thousands of young
undocumented immigrants who have grown up in the United States.

[It is annoying that Krauthammer dissed Cruz last night on Special Report, despite this accomplishment.]
It will be of-interest to note if negative proclamations from the WaPo [Balz: Republicans deliver another
self-inflicted wound - Congresss actions and inactions may be blocking the GOPs path to victory in the
midterm elections] are rescinded and whether any condemnation will descend upon the Dem-controlled
Senate for inaction.

Meanwhile, again, Obama blasted the GOP on immigration, as it was revealed that 500
Illegals are Pennsylvania-Bound and Military Bases are Being Turned Into Permanent
Refugee Camps; indeed, regarding everything from subsidies for Obamacare to food
stamps to Social Security Disability, the bill keeps getting bigger, but the percentage of
Americans willing and able to pay it keeps getting smaller.



The Illegals-issue is affecting the behavior of Senate-Dems facing tough reelections; two of the Senate's
most vulnerable incumbents, Sens. Mark Pryor (D-Ark.) and Kay Hagan (D-N.C.) BALKED AT OBAMA'S
EXECUTIVE ACTIONS ON BORDER, wanting to put the brakes on Obama's plan to reform the nation's
immigration enforcement system through executive action. They say Obama should not act unilaterally
to reduce deportations, arguing it's Congress's job to change the law. Slowing or halting deportations of
otherwise law-abiding residents who came to the country illegally could produce a backlash in red states
where Obama has low approval numbers. Furthermore, the crisis at the southern U.S. border
complicates any move to ease deportation laws. But not taking executive action could discourage Latino
voters, who backed Obama and other Democratic candidates overwhelmingly in the 2012 elections and
expect action on immigration reform.

Other issues affecting these races are Ethanol fuels [where there is a clash in Iowas corn
country between Democrat Bruce Braley (who is betting the farm on corn) and Joni
Ernst (who is more elusive)] and Privacy [where Colorado Sen. Mark Udall (whose
polling is also problematic) has claimed the CIA Chief Should Resign Over having
admitted he tried to cover-up Senate Computer Spying, notwithstanding the fact that
Obama defended CIA Director John Brennan]. Also noted are strange statements from
Kentuckys Alison Lundergan Grimes [who thought Israels Iron Dome was located
underground and who didnt Know What a Bumper Sticker Is, claiming they are placed
in peoples Yards]. Finally, looking ahead to 2016, Reid could be in trouble in Nevada, for
a GOP poll put Brian Sandoval ahead of Harry Reid.

The GOPs Civil-War has not abated; the RNC Took a Step Toward Investigating Outrage In Mississippi
Primary and ROBERTS' TEA-PARTY FOE CLOSED THE GAP in Kansas. Less than a week before primary day,
Kansas Republican Sen. Pat Roberts is still ahead, but he has a real race on his hands against a tea party
challenger the establishment had largely written off months ago. The three-term incumbent is losing
ground in polls, as he spends big on the airwaves to fight off the image of a Washington insider who
lives in suburban Virginia and stays with campaign donors during his infrequent visits back home.
Meanwhile, Milton Wolf, a radiologist who had never run for office, is inching closer, despite being
wrapped-up in a scandal after posting X-rays of deceased patients on Facebook. The latest automated
poll by SurveyUSA has Roberts up by 20 points, narrower than his 33-point edge a month ago.

Statewide, the PA SENATE LEADERSHIP LOOKS TO TREASURER MCCORD FOR DIRECTION
ON CORBETT VETOES. In Philly, the Senate OKed renaming 30th Street Station for Gray.
In my township, Abington launched red-light camera program.

The stakes of the POTUS-16 race were raised as the SCOTUS appears to be in the balance; Ginsburg said
shes catching her second wind, rejecting efforts by some libs to press her to hang up her robe. Christie
is trying to rekindle the magic around his brash style [but some in the GOP doubt it can work], his pal
Cuomo Retained Defense Counsel as a Corruption Probe Widened; Cuomo's M.O. is haunting him now,
for he is having the roughest stretch of his political career.

The pro-Hillary Clinton group Correct the Record has put together a memo for
supporters and allies ahead of the fall midterms, highlighting seven key themes they've
identified as emerging from the frenzy surrounding the potential 2016 candidate's book
tour. ... 1) 'public opinion is much better for Clinton now than it was in 2008'; 2)
'Americans across the ideological spectrum, liberals and moderates in particular, are
looking positively to a Hillary Clinton run for President'; 3) 'Voters, specifically
Democrats, are eager for her experience'; 4) 'Clinton is in step with her party on core
issues, particularly income inequality'; "5) 'No credible challenger can amass the kind of
broad party support Clinton has'; "6) 'Voters are behind her, not just politicos'; 7) 'Hillary
Clinton's work ethic has been on display for months. Clinton and her supporters, if she
chooses to run, do not want a coronation but rather will work hard, seek voters' support
and build a winning coalition.' ... Correct the Record was established as an offshoot of
the Democratic research group American Bridge, but it was stocked with Clintonites and
has worked to defend her as she's become more politically public. {Books serve as a test
market for Clinton hostility, and there may be no clearer sign of Hillarys reemergence
than a flurry of books critical of her; this article politicizes Book-sales data, again
attacking Republican choicesbelieve it or not.} Through it all, Hillary Clinton Doesnt
Know How Wealthy She Is.

Two additional primary races illustrate the potential for local issues to influence congressional races:

Embattled Rep. Scott DesJARLAIS (R-Tenn.) may OVERCOME SCANDAL, against all odds.
The GOP physician looked like he would be booted from office in late 2012 after
revelations that he had pushed his ex-wife to have two abortions and carried on affairs
with patients, one of whom he urged to terminate a pregnancy. The socially
conservative congressman drew a strong primary opponent this year in state Sen. Jim
Tracy (R), and many in the GOP privately say they are rooting for the challenger,
because it would rid the party of another member of its 'scandal caucus.' But despite
DesJarlais being seen as one of the cycle's most endangered incumbents, more than a
half-dozen strategists with deep Tennessee ties say the contest is far closer than
expected ahead of the Aug. 7 primary.

FARMERS TARGET Republican Rep. Tim HUELSKAMP because he co-sponsored a bill that
would cut demand for biofuels by phasing out a federal renewable energy program
[which mandate a percentage of renewable fuels in gasoline]; he represents a rural
district where eleven biofuel plants dot the vast expanse of western and central Kansas,
where farm fields stretch to the horizon and corn and sorghum are the backbone of the
rural economy. Anger now haunts him in the waning days before the Aug. 5 GOP
primary; he is a tea party favorite and Kansas farmer known for his criticism of the GOP
leadership in Washington. He is locked in an unexpectedly tough race with a political
novice as he seeks a third two-year term. His challenger, Alan LaPolice, a farmer and
educator, supports the standards.

Nevertheless, I feel many races will be nationalized, as people react negatively to The Phony Scandal
Presidency; Obamas immigration policies are making him unpopular, for OBAMA is TO PAY ILLEGALS
[Offer All You Can Eat Meals, Free Cable TV, Lawyers, Medical & Dental] and Republican and Democratic
Lawmakers Seek to Formally Condemn Obama For Bergdahl Trade. Thats why Dick Morris has just said,
'I Wouldn't Be Surprised if Obama Resigned.'

Illustrative of this phenomenon [which could help Corbett] are these [tight] data:
Illinois Governor: Rauner (R) 44%, Quinn (D) 39%
Georgia Governor: Carter (D) 45%, Deal (R) 44%
Michigan Governor: Snyder (R) 45%, Schauer (D) 42%

Consider the reaction to Boehners plan to sue BHO over separation-of-powers; messaging via DAN
PFEIFFER attacked the Republican-controlled House for this vote, claiming it should instead address
other issues [raise the minimum wage, put in place equal pay, create jobs, or reform the broken
immigration system] and not waste valuable time and potentially millions of taxpayer dollars. Ignoring
the fact that many bills were passed by the House but ignored b the Senate, he claimed, This is the
least productive Congress in decades. And instead of doing their job, they are suing the President for
doing his." As anticipated, this entire story was buried by the media; no major newspaper fronted a
story about the vote. {NYT A1 refer (bottom of page), "House Votes to Sue Obama" ... L.A. Times A1
refer (bottom of page; 1-col. Boehner pic), "House votes to sue Obama" ... ChiTrib p. 1 refer, "House
votes to sue Obama."}. And BHOs glib comment was that the GOP should Stop hatin all the time.
{Also, he had a glib comment regarding the CIAs Brennan, deflecting his having lied to Congress by
changing the subject: 'We tortured some folks' {if memory serves, three, with a Senate report pending}.

Compounding the polling problem is awareness that the Busted Obamacare Website
Has Already Cost Taxpayers $840 Million, explaining why Obamacare is More Unpopular
Than Ever; 57% View Health Care Law Unfavorably; as an example of the culture of
corruption he has promulgated, Andrew Slavitt, a former executive at the technology
company tasked with saving HealthCare.gov and now second in command at the
agency overseeing Obamacare, ran into sharp questions from a House panel about a
potential conflict of interest in his new role. In addition, a House Committee is
Investigating an FCC Waiver to Obama Donor and Former Employees Alleged
Widespread Illegality at a Taxpayer-Backed Solar Company; meanwhile, exposed has
been The Billionaires Club Behind the Green Movement.

BHOs [original] Scandal-Sheet has been amplified, as a Judge Ordered the DOJ to Release Fast and
Furious Documents Withheld From Congress Under Obamas Executive Privilege Claim; this Court Ruling
on 'Fast and Furious' Docs is Forcing Scrutiny of Obamas Executive Privilege, so it has been punctured.
{Also, a Man Charged with Killing Border Patrol Agent Brian Terry was Extradited to U.S.}

The media continue to help Dems; indeed, CNN is reportedly paid by the US government
for reporting on some events, and not reporting on others; the Obama Administration
pays CNN for content control. Not satisfied with such arrangements, Pelosi Asked
Reporters To Be Messengers For Flailing House Dems. Meanwhile, on MSNBC,
Mediaite determined that Morning Joe is Among Worst Shows On Cable News [e.g.,
tolerating giggles while reporting on Gaza]; always on the offensive [while being quite
offensive], Scarborough ripped the 'simpleminded' for criticizing his Israel comments.

Another problem, of course is that Jobs Growth Disappoints, as Real Unemployment Hangs at 18% [and
this doesnt take into account under-employment]; the economy added 209,000 jobs in July while the
unemployment rate increased slightly to 6.2%; analysts had expected job growth of about 233,000,
according to a Bloomberg survey of economists. [This may explain the Dow-drop on Thurs/Fri.]

Milton Friedmans 7 Most Notable Quotes
The most important single central fact about a free market is that no exchange takes
place unless both parties benefit.
that one party can gain only at the expense of another.
freedom before equality will get a high degree of both.
in maintaining or improving its condition. That is why buildings in the Soviet Unionlike
public housing in the United Stateslook decrepit within a year or two of their
construction

create it.
than their results.
thered be a shortage of sand.

Other otherwise ignored Congressional issues are receiving greater attention due to efforts of the
Conservatives [such as Heritage Action]; for example, a HEARING FED GOP-House PUSH TO SHUT DOWN
EX-IM BANK, for they weren't satisfied with the answers they got at a hearing on corruption allegations,
and now they're vowing to dive deeper into the bank's records and history. Bank Chairman Fred
Hochberg's tight-lipped responses and a fired employee's outright refusal to answer the questions of the
House Oversight and Government Reform subcommittee did not go over well with the panel's
Republican members. In particular, Hochberg's insistence that he not offer up any information that
could jeopardize investigations into the allegations that agency employees took gifts and kickbacks in
particular riled conservative critics, who are angling to shut the bank down. Also, Ted Cruz Warned that,
if the Senate Doesnt Act, Internet Will Be Taxed in November.

Critics claimed the National Labor Relations Board imperiled the franchising business
model by Giving Big Labor Another Win [easing unionization at fast food restaurants].

Before the Senate approved the Highway-Bill, it defeated an amendment offered a conservative
champion, U.S. Senator Mike Lee (R-UT); it would devolve the federal highway program to the states,
allowing them to keep the vast majority of their gas tax revenues and to make their own transportation
infrastructure decisions. Here are the 15 Republicans who voted with the Democrats to keep more
power and control in Washington:

John Barrasso (R-WY) (202) 224-6441

Roy Blunt (R-MO) (202) 224-5721

Thad Cochran (R-MS) (202) 224-5054

Susan Collins (R-ME) (202) 224-2523

Mike Enzi (R-WY) (202) 224-3424

Orrin Hatch (R-UT) (202) 224-5251

Dean Heller (R-NV) (202) 224-6244

John Hoeven (R-ND) (202) 224-2551

Mike Johanns (R-NE) (202) 224-4224

Mark Kirk (R-IL) (202) 224-2854

Mitch McConnell (R-KY) (202) 224-2541

Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) (202) 224-6665

Richard Shelby (R-AL) (202) 224-5744

John Thune (R-SD) (202) 224-2321

Roger Wicker (R-MS) (202) 224-6253


When Eric Cantor announced resignation from House, speculation regarding Why Cantor really resigned
revolved around his desire to face new challenges [and not have to divulge $$$-data, apparently]. Also,
Chipotle Mexican Grill is trying to inspire patrons with Communist propaganda on take-out bags.

A Government-Funded Study will probe Why Wikipedia is Sexist.

Regarding foreign policy, America is foundering [Military Cuts Leave US Too Weak to Handle 'Global
Threats'; Obama Administration Defense Strategy Dangerously Underfunded; and Joe Lieberman said
America Risks Alliances, Security, Freedom]. Nevertheless, in the short-term, Congress backs aid to Israel
but, sadly, it is unclear Who Checks the Fact-Checker; this article inter alia provides the rationale for the
Iraqi invasion [Saddams support for terrorism, which hasnt been refuted during the past decade] while
dealing with how an article about the Cheneys [father/daughter] was corrupted by a fact-checker.

Another article that must be read thoroughly is Catos neo-isolationist piece [Ukraine
Crisis Reminds Americans Why NATO Should Not Expand]; every sentence is flawed.

This is a portion of a recent Morning-Jolt by Jim Geraghty:
To the Extent They're Paying Attention, Americans Are Unnerved by Foreign Affairs
ABC News and the Washington Post offer some reassuring poll numbers today:
Americans are wary of granting refugee status to children crossing the
U.S. border to flee strife-torn countries in Central America, and most in
an Associated Press-GfK poll say the U.S. does not have a moral
obligation to accept asylum seekers generally.
The new poll found 53 percent of Americans believe the United States
has no moral obligation to offer asylum to people who escape violence
or political persecution, while 44 percent believe it has that
responsibility.
And more than half, 52 percent, say children who say they are fleeing
gang violence in Central America should not be treated as refugees,
while 46 percent say they should.
When you think of the wording of the question "children" "fleeing gang violence" it's
kind of amazing that anyone would say "no," much less a majority. As for you 46 percent
who said, "come on in," they'll be moving into your house.
Elsewhere that survey finds: "Just 39 percent of Americans approve of Obama's handling
of the situation in Israel and the Gaza Strip, while more than half, 52 percent,
disapprove."
Here's a good indicator of how much "noise" to expect in a foreign-policy poll: "Obama's
approval rating for handling international affairs overall, at 46 percent, is up by 5
percentage points from his career low last month. But 50 percent still disapprove,
unchanged." Is the world in any better shape than it was last month? Nah. But about
five percent who weren't sure what they felt last week were a bit feeling better about
the world this month. Maybe they're Cleveland Cavaliers fans.
Hollywood Takes on 'Rathergate'
Megan McArdle spits hot fury over the news that Mythology Entertainment is making a
movie about the Rathergate memo scandal . . . based upon the book of CBS producer
Mary Mapes, who contended that the story was true that those bloggers in pajamas
who kept proving it wrong including, ahem, me are all mean and liars and right-
wing maniacs and so on.
Mapes will be played by Cate Blanchett. Robert Redford is playing the man who
reported the story on air, CBS News anchor Dan Rather.
I'll give you a moment to process that.
As I noted, by playing Dan Rather, this will mark the second time Redford has played a
character who was secretly a member of Hydra.
I should be outraged by this. As I mentioned in Raleigh, this is a good example for young
journalists of how you can work hard, get your big break, help expose a lie, reveal the
truth, and have a small role in changing the way people look at the world and powerful
people . . . and then watch Hollywood stars glamorize the liars and make you the bad
guy. (I'm guessing they'll cast Jerry O'Connell to play some guy in little elephant
pajamas.)
But I suppose that I shrug and dismiss this as sort of liberal cosplay. They really enjoy
having glamorous actors put on costumes and make-up and reenact recent events,
emphasizing the heroism of the people they like and often ludicrously caricaturing those
they don't like. You may recall Valerie Plame, whose identity as a CIA officer was leaked
to columnist Robert Novak by Colin Powell's-right hand man, Richard Armitage. She had
her life turned into an action thriller . . . with car chases and explosions . . . where a
sinister conspiracy at the heart of the Bush administration leaks her name . . . and
Richard Armitage is never mentioned.
The Washington Post editorial board felt compelled to call out the myth-making:
In fact, "Fair Game," based on books by Mr. Wilson and his wife, is full of distortions
not to mention outright inventions. To start with the most sensational: The movie
portrays Ms. Plame as having cultivated a group of Iraqi scientists and arranged for
them to leave the country, and it suggests that once her cover was blown, the operation
was aborted and the scientists were abandoned. This is simply false.
There's practically a whole branch of HBO devoted to this sort of instant revisionism and
dramatization: Recount, Game Change, Aaron Sorkin's The Newsroom, where Sorkin
basically rewrote news events and coverage of Obama's early presidency as the way he
thought it should have gone.
What the hell is with these smug revisionist historians, who take facts, take their own
imagination, mix them together, slip in some cameo appearances by big-name political
figures and think they can create a memorable, vivid, dramatic story that will influence
the public's viewpoint and memories of recent events
I guess I shrug because this is just the latest in Robert Redford's series of exercises in
moral inversion. His recent self-directed film The Company You Keep tried to argue that
the 1960s radicals who planted bombs weren't such bad guys . . . by making the
convenient plot change that the wanted 1960s radical played by Redford didn't actually
commit the crime. Gee, that kind of changes things, doesn't it? William Ayers doesn't
have the excuse of blaming the one-armed man.
And trying to rewrite Rathergate so that Rather and Mapes are the heroes is, I suspect,
too much of a moral inversion for audiences to accept, in a story that will have no car
chases, sex scenes, fistfights, gun-fights, or aliens. (I mean, as far as I know.) They'll have
to argue that the famous network news anchor, with the giant network backing him, is
the plucky heroic underdog, and that the bloggers bloggers! are the powerful,
sinister villains.
When Robert Redford is pulling off a sting, running from the Bolivian police, hitting a
baseball, whispering to a horse, or offering a million dollars to sleep with Demi Moore,
everybody loves him. When he gets preachy, the work is usually insufferable. Lions for
Lambs flopped. Come to think of it, so did Fair Game, and The Newsroom is in its final
season. The appetite for making these instant revisionist-history pieces is significantly
larger than the appetite for watching them.
So that's why I'm not that worried about the Rathergate movie.