After conveying my reaction to the replies received overnight [to the prior Blast e-mail] and providing

a few key-hyperlinks, the focus is trained upon the Middle East; in many respects, due to BHO-fixation
and the Iranian-Nuke risk [e.g., Iran's defense minister strongly rejected his US counterpart Chuck
Hagel's demand that Iran's missile program should come under negotiation in talks between Tehran and
the world powers, and asked for the opposite and Irans Supreme Leader: Jihad Will Continue Until
America is No More], assessing what may occur next in this minuet [with multiple players cutting-in]
has been overshadowed. Fortunately, others [Arlene Kusher, Pamela Geller, Robert Spencer, Daily Alert,
Palestinian Media Watch, JTA, IMRA, Debka, etc.] routinely fill this vacuum. For example, points made
yesterday regarding Egypt have been corroborated by Pamela [House of Representatives Backs Egypt in
Fight Against Al Qaeda, Muslim Brotherhood] and todays essay by Arlene not only covers points that
need to be made factually, but also places them into a reasonable editorial context; consider reading it
in-toto because [1]it encompasses both deadly anti-Semitic attacks in Europe and the Popes visit to
Greater Israel AND because [2]invoking these events, she updates other issues [such as the effort to
allow Jews to pray on the Temple Mount, which should be intuitive, but which BB apparently opposes,
perhaps due to Jodanian threats].

One reader wrote, The decision to not appeal the DOMA case is going to be the last
straw for Corbett-reluctant voters....Say Hello to your new, Governor Wolf!!!!!! And
to higher taxes, lost jobs, and drillers going elsewhere!

I disagree but, first, know how Corbett reached his decision not to
appeal the same-sex marriage ruling [The plaintiffs argued they were
being denied equal protection under the Constitution and by applying
heightened scrutiny the administration would have to make a stronger
case to justify the ban, arguments Corbett thought would be
inflammatory and degrading to gays and lesbians.]. Then, recall that
the increased gasoline-tax prompted Guzzardis effort and resonated
when he told GOP-voters it had violated a campaign-pledge. Next, note
the unfinished-business he had planned to tackle [Pensions and State-
Stores, noting that Unprofitable LCB store numbers plunged, raising
spirits in Pennsylvania]. Finally, weigh my residual-concern, argued
during the past two [2] years on PoliticsPA, namely, bipartisan claims
thatdue to his tight-link to the Tom and Jerry [Sandusky] Showhis
summary firing of JoePA hastened the death of the PSU-icon.

He can only hope that Wolf will lose luster after detailed policy-scrutiny, that his being a
Dem will associate him [negatively] with BHO, and that AG-Kanes upcoming [probably
negative] report will have a limited-impact due to her having politicized the decision not
to prosecute Dems. Such is the plausible perfect storm scenario, but he must solidify
his base because moderate-moves will never suffice among the Dems [and the media].
Here is a compilation of issues that will be debated during the next few months.

Projecting that the Obama Brand could cripple the Dems during the mid-terms is increasingly
realistic, noting that Dems Privately Call BHO 'Detached,' 'Flat Footed,' 'Incompetent'.

Publicly, 2014 - DEM. SENATE CANDIDATES DON'T TAKE OBAMA'S ADVICE TO BE
BOLD ON HEALTH CARE. Two top recruits for Senate races [Michelle Nunn in
Georgia and Alison Lundergan Grimes in Kentucky] won't say how they would
have voted when the Senate passed the bill in 2010; their refusals are
overshadowing their endorsements of individual parts of the law. In Montana,
Sen. John Walsh, appointed to office in February and now running for a full
term, reminds voters that he was nowhere near Congress in 2010. Several
incumbents who voted for the overhaul four years ago highlight some of its
benefits and promise to tweak other parts. [Trying to return as Florida governor,
Republican-turned-Democrat Charlie Crist champions the law as he tries to
unseat Republican Rick Scott.]. It is not surprising that Dems are Flummoxed
Over Obamacare, because ONLY 28% SUPPORT OBAMACARE; as noted most
recently by George Will, the Gov't Can't Run Post Office, Amtrak [or the VA], so
Why Should We Think It Can Run Health Care?

Meanwhile, the GOPs civil-war continues apace, notwithstanding the perennial claim by Dems [such as
that by David Plouffe] that the 2010 Tea Party Candidates Were 'Witches and Defenders of Rape' and
the more recent claim by Bankers that 'Tea Party' power has fizzled; for example, Cochran desperately
Seized On Wife's [photo] Exploitation For Political Gain. Curiously, McConnells primary victory in
Kentucky over a more conservative opponent has been portrayed by a leftie as a Tea Party win, for the
price paid is that the TEA PARTY HAS 'LASTING CONTROL OF THE GOP AGENDA.' [This observation is
c/w what others have concluded, in a positive way.] The impact of these trends has affected the run-off
election in Texas for LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR, as Dan Patrick [a state senator from Houston] appears
poised to dislodge David Dewhurst because he jumped-out front for good by appealing to staunchly
conservative Republican voters on their top issue [illegal immigration]; Patrick has ripped state GOP
leaders for not plowing enough state funding into law enforcement efforts along the Texas-Mexico
border. [He was breaking with ... [former Gov.] George W. Bush and [Gov.] Rick Perry, who tried to
appeal to Hispanic voters with hopeful rhetoric about immigrants, tarnishing the 16-POTUS prospects of
the brother of the former and of the latter. {Recall that Jeb Bush and his Son Took Opposing Views of
Ted Cruz during the micro-shutdown, even as Former Romney Backers Pushing Jeb Bush for 2016 and
Karl Rove claims Jeb Bush is the 'Deepest Thinker on Our Side.'}

I held a back-and-forth with a reader who firmly inquired as to what anti-terrorism
measures are sorely needed; one absolutely goregeous example of what is sorely
needed is a precedent-setting report that a TOP NIGERIAN ISLAMIC CLERIC CALLED FOR
UNITY AGAINST BOKO HARAM. In response, it is desirable to quote a reply that serves to
summarize what has occurred during the current millennium {c/o Rob Boysen [Tea Party
Patriots PA State Coordinator, Eastern Region, and Coordinator, Philadelphia Tea Party
Patriots-Lower Bucks]}, for it discusses what should occur both overseas and @ home:

The enemy is not only radical Islam, it's our own complacency. For 13
years now, we've been lulled to sleep because nothing "big" has
happened, yet a whole bunch of little things have happened. Although
the CIA, NSA and every intelligence analyst on "our side" works on this
stuff 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, none of them can say with certainty
that anything "big" is planned or being planned. Therein lies the
problem...something big is planned, we just don't know when and
where it's going to happen. But one day, when we least expect it, it will
happen.

Our problem here in the United States and in Western Europe is that
the "moderate" Muslim don't do a damned thing to speak out about
their radical brothers and sisters. Until that happens on a consistent
basis, every hour of every day, we will never defeat this
insidious monster. There's absolutely no way that the U.S. and our allies
could wage a "secret" war against radical Islam. We're already at war
against them and it's not-so-secret, is it? No my friends, unless we here
in America and those who stand with us against the radical islamists, are
willing to put tremendous, unending pressure on the Moderate Muslims
and get them to speak out against their radical brethren, we're never
going to defeat "it".

*

The Mexican Gangs in the U.S. (MS 13, 18th Street, La Familia, La
Nuestra Familia, and the Mexican Mafia) are just the tip of the iceberg
when it comes to Al Qaeda's "recruitment" of U.S. Gang Members. As a
former Gang Intelligence Officer for the California Youth Authority (now
the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation), I know
that, since 2002, every Gang Intelligence operation in the U.S. is fully
aware and constantly on guard for U.S. Gang "recruits" into the ranks of
Al Qaeda. The URL's below will give you a pretty good "snapshot" of
what is going on with not only the Mexican/Hispanic gangs, but also
with our old "friends" the Crips and the Bloods. As one of the articles
below says, "it's all about the money" and the money comes from Al
Qaeda to the Drug Cartels and then to the U.S. Gangs, and believe me,
our U.S. gangs are as organized, armed (to the teeth!) and very
motivated to cause as much chaos, pain and death as they can.

Gangs-and-Terrorists

terrorism-more-about-bloods-and-crips

National Gang Threat Assessment, Emerging Trends [U.S. National Gang
Intelligence Center. 2011. p. 30.]

Thus, the USA must ID the problem accurately [Islamists continue to fight the Crusades]
and to function accordingly, on this multi-front battlefield [both @ home and abroad].
That means standing-firm against Iran [quarantine], supporting Israel [waiting-out the
Palestinian Arabs, until they recognize the Jewish State], maintaining a modicum of a
presence in Iraq/Afghanistan [if for no other reason than to support those who helped
Americans during the past decade], combat Jihad [in particular, its anti-female facets],
combat slaughter of defenseless-Christians [while helping Europe stave-off recurrent
anti-Semitism]and doing all of this with Congressional support [even if it means BHO
would have to talk his fellow-pacifists in the Dem-party into acquiescing]. This is how
Robert Spencer defined the war against jihad; the USA must defeat the enemy.

In contrast with this return to a modicum of activism, As the Obama Admin Tweets, the World Stakes
Claims in Post-American World; as the Pentagon is to close 21 facilities in Europe, London bids to be
Islamic finance hub. As Karzai Turns Down Invitation to Meet with BHO while hes in Afghanistan, Lech
WALESA concludes the USA NO LONGER is the WORLD LEADER. As Putin's Paid Mercenaries Intimidate
Ukraine Voters, Jake Tapper Takes on State Dept Spox to defend Obama's Posture Toward Putin. When
73% of College Students Believe America Less Respected Under Obama and only 39% of College
Students are Satisfied with Leadership in Obama Era it is not surprising that 51% of Millennials Have
Grave Doubts About Their Future. {Does anyone remember the time when america-was the worlds-
greatest-force-for-peace? In contrast, can anyone explain why Hizbullah is Engaged in Direct Contacts
with CIA and the Pentagon?}

Consider how Obama's 'Scandal Manual' has been expanded beyond Benghazi-Gate and
IRS-DOJ Coordination Trouble. Obama can solemnly claim, Taking Care Of Our Veterans
Has Been One of the Causes of My Presidency and BERNIE SANDERS can DOWNPLAY
DEAD VETS [THOUSANDS A YEAR DIE FROM MEDICAL MISTAKES], but a GOP Rep argued
the VA Scandal Rises to Level of Criminal Negligence; indeed, revelations are growing,
such as the fact that the LA Morgue Ignored Veterans Bodies for Over a Year and a Half.
Thus, Buchanan concluded that this 'Pathetic' Obama VA Scandal 'Shoots a Hole' in
American Liberalism [although, lest we forget pat-buchanans-anti-semitic-fantasies] and
others suggest the public Blame Socialism, Not Shinseki; the VA behaviorally capitulated
when it Approved Private Care Options for Veterans in this scandals Wake.

Inability to generate evidence-based arguments is characteristic of other Dems, even when provided
an opportunity to push pet-projects; for example, Senator Richard Blumenthal [and family members of
the victims] claimed the recent Santa Barbara Attacks Should Revive Gun Control, despite the fact that
the Senate's Failed Gun Bill Would Not Have Stopped the Santa Barbara Gunman. In fact, the Daily Beast
compared the NRA to tobacco companies and blamed them for Elliot Rodger's heinous Santa Barbara
attacks, ignoring the anti-crime impact of gun ownership [Mere Mention of 'Assault Rifle' Sends Armed
Home Invaders Fleeing] and the pro-crime impact of gun-control [Two Robberies and a Shooting at Jack
in the Box Since Law-Abiding Citizens Asked to Leave Guns at Home]. Satirizing a rather serious problem,
Gutfeld said Advertising 'Gun Free Zones' at Restaurants Puts Customers on Menu.

Turmoil continues to affect Common Core nationally, as the South Carolina Legislature
Approved a Common Core Replacement Bill, Oklahoma Lawmakers Voted to Repeal
Common Core [as the NATION WAITS ON OK GOV. FALLIN regarding whether SHE WILL
REPEAL COMMON CORE STANDARDS]; meanwhile, Boston Public Schools are to Fold
History Dept. Under 'Humanities Umbrella' to Meet Common Core Standards, thereby
subjugating what should be an arms-length study of times past to the interpretations
inherent in scrutiny of the Liberal Arts.

MSNBC-Watch: Chris Hayes asserted that Conservative Beliefs Ought to
Disqualify People from Holding Office, but how bout reverse-racism?
Corruption of what should be a disinterested database allows racist-
demagogues to try to achieve respectability for off-the-wall opinions
[Harris-Perry Likens NBA to Slavery] and arguments [CHRIS HAYES
FAWNS OVER 'THE CASE FOR REPARATIONS' AUTHOR] and tweets
[Tour Skewered for Tweeting Holocaust Survivors Benefited from the
Power of Whiteness]. Even anti-Semitism in this last cite is ignored,
and its insufficient rationalization to claim too few viewers noticed.

The libs may be getting-the-message, as the progressive-media continue to self-emolate
[Liberal Radio Keeps Shrinking as Ed Schultz Departs Airwaves] and some confess error
[Bill Maher rails against Political Correctness: 'You Can't Purge Everybody'].

Note this prcis of the current status of the peace-process involving Israelis and Palestinian Arabs:

This is how Abbas portrayed negotitions to the Pope [noting both what is stated and
what isnt included, vide infra]: Once Israel withdraws from the territory it occupied in
1967, all the Arab and Islamic countries will recognize Israel and immediately establish
diplomatic relations with Israel.We have accepted the establishment of the
independent State of Palestine only on the land occupied in 1967 with East Jerusalem as
its capital, alongside the State of Israel in security, mutual respect, and good
neighborliness. {Recall that both he and the Arab League have refused to recognize the
prospect that Israel would be perceived as the Jewish Homeland.}

Important to recognize as a reflection of the intransigence of the Libs [in
Israel, in the USA, around the world] rather than as an official Israeli
posturebecause it is tangential to any cogent analysis, as per the
following observations by Dr. Aaron Lerneris this Shimon Peres
remark: "the sacrifices of peace are preferable to the threat of war."

First let's add clarity to it; what he really means is "the
sacrifices of a peace agreement are preferable to the
threat of war"

When you clarify that "peace" is actually a "peace
agreement" the policy making logic of the remark
collapses.

A "threat of war" has two elements to it: the
probability that the threat is carried out and the
expected costs if the threat is carried out.

The security "sacrifice" of a peace agreement also has
two elements to it:
the probability that the peace agreement will be
violated and the expected costs if it is violated.

It is silly to assert a priori that every "threat of war" is
always more expensive than every possibly failed peace
agreement. This when a failed peace agreement could
have us facing a sovereign Palestinian state armed to
the teeth with huge quantities of rockets, missiles and
bolstered by the presence of various other nations with
Israeli action severely restrained because the
Palestinian state is a sovereign state.

Also, Arlene notes Pope Francis invited him [but not BB] to the Vatican.

In response to Abbas, key-quotes from the aforementioned BB-Interview are of-interest:

Negotiations are always preferable. But six prime ministers since Oslo
have failed in their pursuit of a negotiated settlement. Theyve always
thought we were on the verge of success, and then [Yasser] Arafat
backed off, Mahmoud Abbas backed off, because they cant conclude
these negotiations. We dont have a Palestinian leadership that is willing
to do that. The minimal set of conditions that any Israeli government
would need cannot be met by the Palestinians. No matter what the spin
is about blaming Israel, do we actually expect Abbas, who seems to be
embracing Hamas, to give a negotiated deal? In all likelihood, no. I hope
he does, but Im not sure hes going to do it.

Abbas has not done anything to challenge the prevailing Palestinian
consensus. In fact, hes doing the opposite: the Hamas reconciliation,
internationalizing the conflict, not giving one iota on the right of return,
not giving an iota on the Jewish state. He wouldnt deal with Kerrys
framework.

I said to them, You tell me that you want me to draw a map of a state,
but you wont tell me that the state on the map will recognize the
Jewish state next to it. They want a map without an end of conflict.
Palestinian society is divided into two. The first half openly calls for
Israels destruction. And the second half refuses to confront this and
refuses to confront the demons inside their own camp.

In the Middle East today, Israelis and Arabs see two great dangers:
militant Islam in its Shia variety or Sunni variety. Shia militants have
already taken over a state called Iran that is seeking nuclear weapons
and which threatens everyone in the region. [Sunni] radicals are also
trying to get a state. The Palestinian issue hinders more open relations,
but such relations are taking place anyway. {This graph was rewritten
for clarity.}

Many Israelis are asking themselves if there are certain unilateral steps
that could theoretically make sense [such as withdrawing from large
swaths of Judea/Samaria]. But people also recognize that the unilateral
withdrawal from Gaza didn't improve the situation or advance peace; it
created Hamastan, from which thousands of rockets have been fired at
our cities.

This is from Daniel Pipes: Andrew C. McCarthy and I are allies over the long term,
fighting the Islamist scourge in the same trench for two decades. But alliance does not
mean singlemindedness and he responded critically today at NRO in Can Islamism
Evolve? to my earlier NRO article, The Growth of Moderate Islamism.