Last week was a big one for major news stories.
The first, of course, would be the horrendous killing in New York City. As usual, both NY Governor Cuomo and NY Mayor DeBlasio sought to bring in the issue of gun control when there was no gun utilized in the attack. To be exact, the driver of the truck was brandishing two relatively harmless weapons, one of which was a pellet gun and the other a paintball gun. Are we to assume the two officials meant to limit these types of weapons?
To show the current PC atmosphere that exists in this country which was widely promulgated by the Obama administration when they coined the phrase, “overseas contingency operations” to replace the word “war” as we were being fired upon and returning fire is the perfect example.
Another salient point in the on-going discussion of whether we are at war or not is the fact that the previous administration never uttered the words, “radical Islamic terrorism”. While it is true that all Muslims are not terrorists, it is also equally true that all terrorists appear to be Muslim.
What is probably going to be necessary to satisfy both Trump and the Congress is a formal Declaration of War against ISIS and every other terrorist organization on the planet. If that is done, it must be specifically noted that this is not a religious war, but a war against terrorism in general.
As to the recent New York tragedy, there is an on-going controversy over whether the perpetrator should be viewed as an ordinary criminal or as an enemy combatant. If the latter is decided, he should be shipped to Guantanamo and tried by Military Tribunal.
The most rational suggestion offered by a former CIA operative was to “Put more eyes on suspects.” His thought is to use the same technique that was used to bring down the Mob or Mafia. This approach would probably mean that suspected Mosques should receive much tougher surveillance. When such installations are promoting Jihad, they should immediately be closed down.
A man who knows a lot about war, Oliver North, has vehemently stated, “The enemy has declared war on us, but so far we have not declared war on the enemy.”
SCARIEST HALLOWEEN SPOOK?
In her on-going appearances before the television cameras, Hillary’s latest statement when she was asked what she would be for Halloween she responded, “I will probably go as the President.” If she did that, she would surely scare the daylights out of the trick-or-treaters.
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The biggest bombshell to hit the political scene last week was the release of former DNC Chairman Donna Brazile’s book about the Hillary Clinton takeover of the DNC in 2016. According to her tome, a deal was struck between Hillary and the disgraced former DNC Chairman Debbie Wasserman Schultz. The basic premise was that Hillary would raise money for the DNC if she could exert control over the way the DNC was operated. The current DNC chair has soundly disavowed any knowledge or continuation of the Clinton/DNC agreement. Brazile is to be commended for being the first Democrat to come out in criticism of the Clinton collusion against Bernie Sanders.
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One of the precepts of legendary University of Nevada Journalism Prof Higgenbotham was “Get it first, but first get it right.” I mention this in connection with my distaste for second-hand reporting. When the author of a news story relies on previously printed information, he or she tends to embellish the story in their own style. If a reporter was not actually on the scene of an event, his reporting is usually slightly erroneous.
A recent example of this problem appeared in the August edition of the Dayton Valley Dispatch, written by one Laura Tennant. In reporting on Marilyn Monroe’s death, she stated that it occurred on August 5, two years after The Misfits production began. I don’t know if Ms. Tennant was around when The Misfits was shot, but I happened to be. To rebut her statement or any other erroneous one, I usually refer to a book entitled, “The Making of The Misfits” by writer James Goode. All through the filming, Goode kept a daily diary of the events interspersed with riveting interviews of the principals. According to Mr. Goode’s journal, production on The Misfits began on July 18, rather than on August 5.
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Two other big stories last week were the first-ever World Series win by the Houston Astros in Game 7 and the unveiling of the long-awaited Tax Reform Proposal in Washington DC.
Locally, the most important news story last week was the announcement by AG Adam Laxalt that he will be a Republican candidate for Governor next year.
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