The (Daily) Vent 2

( . . .something wicked this way comes. . .) Happy Halloween ! That is a line from Hamlet or a bad movie with Jason Robards and Royal Dano about a traveling Carnesville whose troupes bring destruction and misery to residents. They were called the Autum People. As it happens, it is autumn. And, like the arrival of the Autumn People, Election Day is only days away. Who is the more wicked, Harris or Trump ? The media is target-fixated on Trump and all the things they think he will do. But what of the Vice President ? While Trump can work at McDonald's or ride a garbage truck, have all the good press in the world, Harris delivered her closing speech at the Ellipse, an enduring reference to January 6th. The former President might have momentum, and the current trend is in his favor. However, Trump support is not universal as 6 prominent New Hampshire Republicans said they could not support their Party's Nominee. Republicans in recent cycles have not fared well in the Granite State....

(Prime Garbage ?) In the movie Down & Out in Beverly Hills , starring Nick Nolte and Richard Dreyfus, Nolte plays a Beverly Hills bum who gets taken in by Dreyfus' family. Things did not quite work out Nolte went back to the street but he wanted to take the family dog, Nolte was rummaging through some trash and telling the dog this was "prime garbage." For his part, the dog changed his mind and went back to the Dreyfus family. During the Trump event at Madison Square Garden, an opening act comedian made some remark disparaging Puerto Rico, calling it a "island of garbage." Naturally the media went to work, saying it could depress the Puerto Rican vote, especially in Pennsylvania. Then, the Island "Senator" came out and endorsed Trump. But it has been President Biden's comment that the only "garbage he sees" are Trump voters. Reminiscent of Secretary Clinton's "basket of deplorables ?" Is the Biden remark that new standa...

(Nights Of The Long Knives ?) The "Night of the Long Knives" was a purge of the Nazi Party officials in the summer of 1934. In order to further consolidate his power and to placate the German armed forces and German industrialists. The Nazi paramilitary arm, the SA or Brownshirts, were dismantled and its leader was executed. Other critics of the regime were also eliminated. The whole process counted some 85 dead when it was over. Ones living its own "nights of the long knives" is the American media. It, and all the other Trump elements in government and out, has collectively failed to derail the Trump candidacy since its inception. Seeing the 'writing on the wall," so to speak and not wishing to be on the wrong side of history, certain periodicals who are universally in favor of Democrats, are refusing to offer any endorsement to Vice President Harris. The media has never been able to understand the former President. It is imploding as Trump holds one event...

(Greatest Show On Earth ?) In days past, the "Greatest Show on Earth" had been the Ringling Brothers/Barnum and Baily Circus, That show folded when the elephants were discharged. As they were the main attraction, their departure signaled the end of the venue. Donald Trump sold out Madison Square Garden last evening. As has been normal, the Arena was packed and there were several featured acts, like RFK Jr and Elon Musk, before the former President took the podium, introduced by his wife, Melania. It was a campaign speech where the deficiencies of the other ticket but began with the classic query; "Are your better off today than you were four years ago ?" That can be answered any number of ways. However, the one that has been President during that time, Joe Biden, has been finally discarded by the Harris Campaign. The former President, the one not Donald Trump, has become a liability. Biden is only rarely on the trail and his fund-raising efforts have become anemic. ...

(Good Seats ?) People are desperate to link Donald Trump to Adolf Hiler. In one, and only one aspect, that might be accurate. Hitler and other high-ranking Nazi officials would convene at Nurenburg each year up until the outbreak of the Second World War. These were generally weeklong affairs where all the top Nazis made speeches, where Party faithful would organize in propagandistic behavior.  Naturally, any attendee would want to arrive early and get good viewing positions for the Party elite. Thousands of Germans congregated from across the country to participate in the festivities. Hitler himself probably had a primetime slot at the rally's conclusion. Tonight, former President Trump will make his appearance at Madison Square Garden sometime this evening. However, like Germans getting early to Nurenburg, New Yorkers are already colleting outside the venue, by the thousands, for a wait that could longer than seven hours or whenever the program begins. Say 5 PM. People will have ...

(Bridge Too Far ?) British Field Marchal Sir Benard Law Montgomery is the most overrated Allied commander in all of World War II. His defeats of Erwin Rommel at El Almain was a piece of set-battle "brilliance," can be qualified by the fact that the Afrika Korps commander was forced to assault a fixed position low on mobile assets and ammunition. But was the failure of what was supposed to be Montgomery's crowning achievement, Operation MARKET GARDEN , the "Bridge Too Far" endeavor. The sacrifice of 8,000 British 1st Airborne troops when the Germans over-ran Arnhem, the last bridge to be seized in the Operation. The mobile component of MARKET GAEDEN , XXX Corps, kept getting held up and delayed so by the time the Corps was needed over the Rhine at Arnhem, the Germans had taken the position. Donald Trump spent three hours with Joe Rogan. He has a rally in Michigan tonight and his booking at Madison Square Garden for tomorrow. All events, the millions who tune in ...

(Closing Argument) If one were to listen to the desperate pleas from Democrats and the media on the dangers of a Trump return to Office, hyperbole  knows no bounds. Trump is a facist. He is Hitler. He wants Hitler type generals. Former Secretary Clinton, known for her "deplorable" comment from the 2016 Campaign and has now compared to the Trump rally at Madison Square Garden set for Sunday and how she is reminded of a Nazi Party at the same venue in 1939. Mirroring the Clinton remarks is Vice President Harris and running mate Walz. In the terminal phase to this Campaign there is the attempted narrative that horrible things will be happening to Trump's "enemies." He plans to incarcerate if not execute his enemies. His actions will make January 6th look pedestrian at best. He will be a dictator. Or he could be a hero, if only for one day. The hit from David Bowie reflects how out of context Trump critics sees the former President. That being said, no one really be...

(Proper Context. . .) Before one begins, one should know that Vice President Harris believes that Donald Trump is a fascist, and he is a danger. She could be right and as a consequence, vote for her. Such an argument is falling flat. Assume for a moment, however, that Trump does win just over a week from now, one can expect changes in behavior across the world. One that stands out is the United Nations. October 24th is called United Nations Day. To the U.N. as well as the World Economic Council, the "Davos" crowd, another Trump Presidency would be catastrophic. Gone are the days when the green globalists of the Biden Administration and other Western powers advocated in 2021 that a new post-Trump order would be the way forward. That paradigm was shattered when the U.S. abandoned Afghanistan and all the problems that developed since. The Unted Nations had been impotent the whole time. These Pages have never held the U.N in any great esteem. It has even gone as far as suggested ...

(Democracy In America ?) People remember the Alexis de Tocqueville treatise Democracy in America . The book was published in the years 1835-1840 and it was de Tocqueville's version of American republicanism. The French author's work has provided the theoretical basis for the federal government in practice, however, it is the Constitution that provides the operational frame-work for the government, That framework says that a President is elected every four years and 2024 is a Presidential Election Year. Now, with than two weeks to go, Republican Donald Trump and Democrat Kamala Harris,  To be sure, this year has been more volatile than most. Lawfare, assassination attempts, and even a coup. Never a dull moment. However, the tossed aside President Joe Biden, seeing the polls and how his Vice President Harris appears to be flailing against former President Trump, Biden is saying that at this point to have Trump "locked up." A Trump incarnation had always been an option t...

(Back Stabber. . .) Any observer of girls in high school life can relate to that classic BFF, best friends forever, dynamic. Sometimes, these girls can be inseparable. But when one of the pair admits to a crush to her friend, meaning to have it kept secret, but then the friend betrays her by making the clandestine relationship public to the ridicule of her peers.  It is understood that Israel is going to attack Iran at some point. For reasons of security, operational details remain classified. Until they were leaked by the U.S. intelligence community. The lesson here, as it has been since last year, is Israel should never brief the Biden-Harris Administration because, like the former girlfriend, news of Jerusalem's intentions with regards to Iran. Prime Minister Netanyahu had given assurances that the attack would be counterforce (the Iranian military) in nature. However, in the wake of the plan being compromised, Israel would be justified in adjusting its objectives. Iranian nucle...

(HIS People. . .) Usually, when someone capitalizes that pronoun, it could be a reference to the Christ. Not today. "HIS" in this case is about Doanld Trump, a far cry from Jesus, up to and including being the Antichrist, at least according to some people. Today is less eschatological, however and more perhaps of an emerging species of the Trump voter. The opportunities offered Vice President Harris have been squandered where her exposure to "honest" media compromised her own attempted basement strategy, laying low and have the Democrat "machine" put her in Office in the same manner with which they had installed President Biden. North Carolina is a swing state. It was also devastated a few weeks ago after Hurricane Helene , the western counties, the Republican dominated counties, are still recovering and there is an open question as to the voters can cast a ballot by Election Day ? Even with all that is before the Tar Heel State, Trump is expected to carr...

(Good Weeks ?) If one were to look back over the last seven days, two personalities stand out. Israeli Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu and former President Donald Trump. Netanyahu is pleased because Yahya Sinwar was "eliminated" by a drone strike. It was on film and Sinwar departed in spectacular fashion. What kind of name is Yahya ? Like someone from that "Buckaroo Banzai" movie, like John Yahya, or John Small Berries or John Big Bootie and so on. Sinwar authored the October 7th attack but, when you get down to it, Yahya is a really stupid name and never pass a chance to insult a terrorist.  That is something that Donald Trump might say. The former President was at the Al Smith Dinner last night and did not bomb. He was quite funny at times. His opponent, Vice President Harris, sent a cringe-worthy video with Molly Shannon, a former SNL cast member ( Superstar ). However, one cannot really blame the Vice President because the Al Smith affair can be complicated a...

{(A Swing (and a miss)} In a classic case of "wag the dog," Houthi positions in Yemen were struck by B-2 Spirit bombers. In a related story, Israel has apparently killed the leader of Hamas , Yahya Sinwar, the one who masterminded the October 7th in the first place. And, it is still at this point that the Biden Administration, including Vice President Harris, are urging Israel to look for a cease fire. Hostages remain in Hamas custody. Speaking of the Vice President, she made an appearance on Fox News in interview with Special Report anchor Bret Baire. By accounts, it could have gone better. Baire was the first interview for Harris that was not in a friendly environment. His questions were pointed but Harris equivocated throughout. She would not take responsibility for the border. She offered nothing new on the economy and did not distance herself from President Biden and that Harris denied that she was aware of Biden's problems, insisting President Biden was okay, unti...

(She Sells Sanctuary. . .) ". . ." Hope you find , Sanctuary " The Cult was an 80's heavy metal band with the above track from the 1985 album "Love" At the time, it got a lot of air play. The "term" sanctuary means some place sheltered, where people can gather to avoid persecution. So is the logic for so-called "Sanctuary Cities." These are Democratic run municipalities that have high crime and crumbling infrastructure. In the aftermath of the open border policy, and Stares like Texas took the collection of illegal immigrant and sent then to Sanctuary Cities like Chicago and New York.  Immigrant crime has been a result. Central and South American gangs have been roaming loose. There have been a series of rapes and murders committed by these migrants. In cities affected, the costs for housing has risen into the billions. Meanwhile, in cities like New York, what had been star class hotels are now little more than warehouses for illegal mi...

(Dissention In The Ranks ?) There is a public face to everything and that is especially true with politics. The behind-the-scenes manufacturing of the Biden-Harris ticket in 2020 that kept Senators Sanders and Warren out of the Race and the endorsement of Congressman Clyburn, as well as the Big Three: media, money, and tech, put Joe Biden into the White House. However, only a few months ago and after the debate with Donald Trump, the Democrat Party cast him aside in favor of promoting Vice President Harris. Now, it is exactly three weeks to Election Day and the Biden-Harris dynamic is fraying. President Biden remains "peeved" he was callously cast aside. His selection of Harris as his running mate checked boxes but did nothing to recommend her. Currently, the Biden-Harris relationship is strained, a lack of communication between the White House and the Harris Campaign. Staffers involved seem at times to be working at cross purposes. To be sure. Biden does want Harris to win b...

(MACH 1 Campaigning) Happy Columbus Day ! As is the case for many, Columbus Day can be problematic. There might be the Columbus Day Parade. the Knights of Columbus and all of the towns named after the famous Explorer. However, in keeping with left-inspired revisionist history that Columbus' discovery of the Americas and their subsequent colonization led to genocide and all the other ills that came with it. Which begs the question. Should Spanish Queen Isabella had kept her jewels and Columbus stayed home ? October 14th is also known for another anniversary. In 1947, at what would eventually be named Edwards Air Force Base, Captain Charles "Chuck" Yeager, piloted the Bell X-1 past the Sound Barrier, about 767 miles per hour, or MACH 1. As an aircraft approaches the Barrier. the air literally cannot get out of the way resulting in extensive aero-dynamic drag. Overcoming that drag accelerates the aircraft through the sound barrier and when that is accomplished, a sonic ...

(Correlation Of Forces. . .) Since the Russo-Ukraine War began almost three years ago, some Russian 600,000 casualties have been incurred. That is greater than any Soviet/Russian conflict, including Afghanistan, since the end of the Second World War. In what was supposed to be a few day affair back in 2021 has lasted this long with no strategic decision for with side. Ukrainian President Zelenski has a five-step plan for a terminal offensive. However, correlation of forces still favors Russia. Zelenski had presented the Biden Administration what he has been calling his "Victory Plan." Oo paper it might look like dynamite. But Russia maintains the advantage in virtually every category. Ukraine is deficient in personnel, weapons, communications, air power and so on. That being said, Zelenski has no plan to define what "victory" in the Victory Plan would actually mean. There is no defined use of assets that could alter situations on the ground that could in-connivence ...

{(Big Guns (or has beens)} A few days ago, the statement had been made that Donald Trump could not win a close election. The Democrat electoral advantage is such that a Democrat win is almost on automatic. One can envision a scenario where more votes might be cast for Trump, but more ballots could be collected for Harris. That would possibly be the case in a close election. So, Democrats have called on their two main champions, former Presidents Bill Clinton and Barack Obama to make appearances and rally the faithful. For her part, Vice President Harris, having just completed a media tour that was problematic, and that has been recognized by the Harris Campaign. The Democrat ticket this time has lost support among traditional constituencies, namely blacks, Hispanics, and union rank and file. At a speech in Pittsburg the other day, President Obama seemed to chastise the audience that he was amazed that former President Trump has that support. That echoes the Biden comment that if you di...

(In Glass Houses,. . .) Donald Trump has had many lives. People can scarcely remember that the former President was once a famous real-estate developer and then 14 years as The Apprentice . As one might recall, each season had about a dozen contestants that spent the year on various tasks, of which failure to accomplish would be a curt "you're fired" from the head of the program. At the end of the season, when almost all the players had been eliminated, it would come down to two. The winner there would get "you're hired" and go to some unspecified position within the Trump organization. The people facing Trump today are members of the Biden Administration and specifically the response to Hurricanes Helene / Milton , or rather the lack thereof. Like President Bush and Hurricane Katrina from 2005, so these two storms and the delayed reaction will bedevil Biden/Harris. However, instead of positioning equipment or fuel, no accommodation, especially in western No...

(Voodoo Economics) President George H.W. Bush had a storied career before he made the White House. Naval aviator, Texas oil man, U.N Ambassador, DCI, was in the 1980 Republican Primary with then California Governor, Ronald Reagan, Reagan's Vice President and ultimately a Presidential term for himself. Bush and Reagan had several debates where he criticized Governor's economic plan, which took supply side principles. calling it Voodoo Economics.  The theory is taken that lower tax rates generate more revenue and that has been proven time and again. President Bush did not hold with this concept and was goaded by Congressional Democrats to raise taxes. The man who had said "Read my lips" in essence broke a promise and lost the 1992 race. One does not need Voodoo Economics to have bad policy. Recent examples of bad judgement is the over-active involvement of the anti-trust division at the Justice Department. The merger between Jet Blue and Spirit Airlines and the potentia...

(Common Sense Solutions) There was a band from the 1980's called The Thompson Twins . However, the name was not Thompson, and they were not twins. In fast, the band was a trio with Tom Baily, Alana Currie and Joe Leeway. They had a few hits off an album "Into the Gap" such as "Doctor Doctor," "Hold Me Now," and "King for a Day." Likewise, a hated phrase is "Common Sense Solutions." More often than not, the "solutions," such as they are, are seldom common much less do they make sense. Another tired phrase is "beginning a conversation." Meaning what ? Such comments indicate that people have no idea what is going on but as long as people are talking, whether or not an actual solution is derived is not relevant. It is all a built-in delay. Then of course, there is so-called "dis/mis-information. Anything that disrupts official narrative is labeled as such. Vice President Harris has called for common sense soluti...

(At Some Point. . .) It would seem that one can do everything right and still lose. Donald Trump made a triumphant return to Butler to a crowd larger than the one on July 13th. He made an appearance at the October 7th commemoration in Miami. He has been out and about but the best Kamala Harris can do is an interview with 60 Minutes , where that performance was still problematic. The point being that even with media criticism, she is still beating Trump. The truth has always been that Trump could not win a close election. All those who claim the former President in reality has more support are getting delusional at this point. Commentators on Fax News have been the perpetrators of this myth and when Trump loses, what will happen to supposedly "learned" opinion. Of course, there will be a natural reversion to excuses. The poll is within the margin of error. Trump still has leads in certain states. Un-fortunately for Republicans, Helene wiped out GOP Precincts in western North ...

(Making It Count. . .) Come full circle ? It was on October 7th. 2023 that Hamas terrorists surged into Southern Israel, committed 1,200 murders in brutal fashion and captured over a hundred hostages. In the year since, Israel has waged a double campaign against Hamas in Gaza and now against Hezbollah in southern Lebanon which is including a ground incursion. An Israeli strike against Iran is imminent. What target list being prepared in Jerusalem cannot be half measures or symbolic in nature. Iran has assets than can be destroyed namely its nuclear and petroleum-related assets. It also goes without saying that Iranian air bases and port facilities could be struck. The question would be range and capability. Israel has drones as did Iran. Or could the response be more subtle, further assassinations of Iranian leadership if the intelligence is accurate. The only indication as what shape the Israeli attack might take, according to the Israeli Defense Minister, "all options are on ...

(Deeper Looks. . .) There is a saying that bad news is sometimes good news.  That can be true in business circles when "good" economic news is can be interpreted as a strength and thus subject to interest rate adjustment from the Federal Reserve. That affects the Markets, up or down. A case in point, when last Friday's jobs report was released, it was a robust 254,000 hires. Fantastic ! Or is it ? The employment trend these days, where are all jobs, are foreign-born workers and government, either direct or ancillary. There is increase in part time work and while un-employment rate dropped to 4.1%, it had been Uncle Sam who was the biggest contributor. What about all the manufacturing jobs ? Jobs from the service sector. Travel. Construction ? All positions that demonstrate a healthy economy. However, when all the jobs are where no income is generated but spending is, the 254,000 might seem robust on the surface but the reality is more even. It is this lack of a strong eco...

(CSI: Crine Scene Investigations) It was the strike that barely was. Amid all the fanfare and hype, the threatened dock-worker stoppage failed to really materialize. The whole affair lasted barely 72 hours and while a 62% raise was agreed and will run to next January, the issue of automation has yet to be resolved. Former President Trump is making a return trip to Butler, Pennsylvania today to "finish" his speech from last July 13th that got interrupted when Thomas Crooks gave him an "earshot." This time, Elon Musk will be joining Trump on stage along with  those lost in the assassination attempt during the rally.  Corey Comperatore, 50, was a firefighter and a father of two daughters. He "historically sacrificed his life to shield his wife and daughters" during the assassination attempt against Trump, the campaign said.  Trump will also recognize the two other Americans who were wounded by the shooter, David Dutch and James Copenhaver. Unlike the situatio...

(Murphy's Is Less A Law) If something can go wrong, it will. And, for the Biden Administration, it has. One can re-trace the litany all the way back to Afghanistan. But it is the here and now If Biden still wants to play "President," he needs to act in the role. For the moment, that is something Biden seems un-willing to do. He could be more active in disaster relief in the Southeast. He could make a better attempt to end the port strike. He could better support Israel in its struggle with Iran. Is the President involved with any of these things ? The answer is no. But he can support the un-sealing of another Trump indictment. Of everything that is going on. that has to be the most important. The most pro-union President is being held hostage by, unions. Namely the Longshoreman Union. They are engaged in a work stoppage in ports from Portsmouth, Maine to Houston, Texas. That encompasses some 45,000 personnel. Like most other crises in the Biden Administration, this one co...

(Minute Walz) At first glance, the term "Minute Waltz" would seem confusing as people dance a waltz for only one minute ? That would not even allow for the bow. The reality is that the Minute Waltz is not a dance at all but instead is a piano tune by Composer Chopin. That would make much more sense. At the VP Debate last night, Democrat Walz who had said he would be nervous, was. The political costs to these debates has been rising since the first, and last meeting between President Biden and former President Trump back in July. That was the day that Biden's quest for the White House came to an end, installing Vice President Harris. When it was her turn to face Trump, she did well, knocking the former President for a loop. Her poll position did improve initially in certain swing state tallies. However, the gains proved ephemeral and the race is as close as ever. Then came last night on CBS. Whereas Biden collapsed in the first debate, and Trump did as much in the second. ...

(Stand-Up Fights) In the latest escalation in the Israel- Hezbollah War, a ground incursion into Lebanon is underway. Israel has always enjoyed "lines of interior communication" where on two occasions, in the Six Day War of 1967 and Yom Kippur War in 1973, Egypt was subdued first and then attention could be shifted to Syria. Now, in 2023-2024 with the Hamas attack on October 7th and its subsequent reduction in Gaza. Now it is the turn of Hezbollah in Lebanon. The IDF has re-deployed its mobile (armored) units north and in positions to further degrade the terror group's capability. Ultimately, the goal is to have Israeli citizens return home with threats from the north largely contained. Of course, the story would not be complete without the threat from Iran to launch a ballistic missile towards Israel in the next few hours. *** Breaking now. The ballistic missile attack from Iran has materialized. Israeli Air Defense assets, as Iron Dome and Arrow systems, are respondi...