New normalcy: France’s Familiar Terror Routine
France awoke Friday to a now-too-familiar scene: Scores dead in a horrific attack, a solemn president “pledging to do something” and equally somber Cabinet ministers calling for “vigilance.” But Pierre Briançon at Politico warns that President Francoise Hollande “will have to handle better the questions that arose after the two previous attacks on the preparedness of his intelligence and security services.” Worse, he “will also face the wrath and tears of the parents of young children who will demand answers to the questions his government has failed to address.”
Convention alert: Beware the Soros Zombies
Watch out, Cleveland: George Soros-funded groups are descending on your city, planning to bring “confusion, disarray and trouble” to next week’s GOP convention. As Kelly Riddell notes at the Washington Times, extremist groups like Color of Change, UltraViolet and Brave New Films — all backed with Soros cash — have successfully trolled the mainstream media, prompting serious coverage. Example: “A fake Internet campaign — a petition to allow for open carry at the convention,” which was “reported on as if Republicans wanted it,” though “it was simply created by a liberal Soros troll.”
Hillary watch: You Bet She’s Crooked
Forget historical figures like Aaron Burr, Ulysses S. Grant and Warren Harding. Fred Barnes at The Weekly Standard writes that “Hillary Clinton stands alone” as “the most corrupt person ever to get this close to becoming president of the United States.” Hers is multi-dimensional corruption, he says: “It encompasses her personal, professional and political life.” She “lies gratuitously . . . to get out of trouble and fool the press and voters.” And she and husband Bill have “broken all the rules” with their foundation, which is “more a slush fund to finance the family’s living expenses than a charity.” Yet “they’ve gotten away with it, largely unscathed.” Unlike past elections, says Barnes, “voters have no excuse. We know who Hillary Clinton really is.”
Veepstakes: Why Mike Pence is a Gutsy Choice
Steve Moore at FoxNews.com says Donald Trump’s selection of Gov. Mike Pence for vice president “should all but erase any remaining doubts among conservatives” about Trump’s political leanings. Pence “is an unflinching conservative who will be cannon fire for the left media,” not to mention “a stellar governor” who “has balanced budgets, cut taxes [and] slimmed government.” Indeed, he adds, “Pence is the ultimate gentleman politician. He exudes Midwestern Hoosier values: Sincerity. Kindness. Honesty. Fair play. Say what you mean, and mean what you say.” All of which, Moore notes, are “virtues . . . that Hillary Clinton lacks.”
War on terror: Outsourcing US Power to Moscow
Reports that the Obama administration has offered to cooperate with Russia in the skies over Syria and establish a joint military command proves the president still “has not learned his lesson,” writes Noah Rothman at Commentary. Despite its joint nature, he notes, “what’s troubling in this proposal . . . is it would appear to prioritize Russian targets and, thus, Russian interests.” And while it would theoretically allow for more Russian air strikes against ISIS, in the event of a threat to Syrian strongman Bashar Assad’s regime, “the Russian air force could act unilaterally.” Bottom line: “This administration will never be comfortable with America’s prohibitive military power. They would prefer to be used and embarrassed by their . . . partners in the Russian government.”