Defections

 A GOP Congressman from New York, Richard Hanna, says he'll vote for Secretary Clinton, as does a former aide to Chris Christie, Maria Comella.

And an aide to Jeb Bush, Sally Bradshaw, says she has left the Republican Party, and has become an independent.  She says: "If the race in Florida is close, I will vote for Hillary Clinton."

Says Bradshaw: "That is a very difficult statement for me to make. I disagree with her on several important issues. I have worked to elect Republicans to national and statewide offices for the last 30 years. I have never voted for a Democrat for president, and I consider myself a conservative, a supporter of limited government, gun rights, free enterprise, equality of opportunity. I am pro-life. There are no other candidates who were serious contenders for the nomination that I would not have supported.

"But," she continued, "we are at a crossroads and have nominated a total narcissist -- a misogynist -- a bigot. This is a time when country has to take priority over political parties. Donald Trump cannot be elected president."

http://www.nytimes.com/2016/08/03/us/politics/donald-trump-republican-party-richard-hanna.html

http://www.cnn.com/2016/08/02/politics/maria-comella-hillary-clinton-donald-trump/index.html

http://www.cnn.com/2016/08/01/politics/sally-bradshaw-jeb-bush-donald-trump-florida/

Trump, and the parents of Army Capt. Humayun Khan

Trump is vicious, unhinged, frightening. He has a remarkable ability to feel unlimited self-pity, and self-concern--and has such little regard for the lives, the histories, of others.

http://www.cnn.com/2016/07/31/politics/donald-trump-khizr-khan-family-controversy/index.html

http://www.nytimes.com/2016/08/01/us/politics/khizr-khan-ghazala-donald-trump-muslim-soldier.html

Trump now says...

Story in The Washington Post:  "Donald Trump’s incredible new defense of his Russia-spying-on-Hillary comments: Just kidding!"

https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/the-fix/wp/2016/07/28/donald-trumps-incredible-new-defense-of-his-russia-spying-on-hillary-comments-just-kidding/

Secretary Clinton's convention speech

There were many outstanding moments during Secretary Clinton's speech, last night, at the Democratic convention. This was one of them:

"Now Donald Trump says, and this is a quote, 'I know more about ISIS than the generals do….'

"No, Donald, you don't."

Wednesday night, at the Democratic convention

A remarkable speech at the convention, tonight, by President Obama; one of his best, I think.

And, great speeches by Joe Biden. and former CIA Director and Secretary of Defense Leon Panetta (although protesters, unfortunately--evidently Sanders supporters from the Washington state delegation, who were then joined by others--disrupted Panetta's speech, loudly. They chanted "No more wars," and "Lies"). A terrific speech--an effective attack on Trump--by Independent Michael Bloomberg, New York's former Mayor. And, very fine speeches by Tim Kaine, and retired Rear Admiral John Hutson. 

(Hutson delivered a powerful response to Trump's infamous attack on John McCain, and McCain's time as a POW. Said Hutson: "I served in the same Navy as John McCain. I used to vote in the same party as John McCain. Donald, you’re not fit to polish John McCain’s boots.")

There was also a wonderful introduction to President Obama's speech, by Sharon Belkofer, a Gold Star mother from Ohio. Her son, Lt. Col. Thomas Belkofer, 44, was killed in Afghanistan in 2010, when the NATO convoy he was a part of was attacked in a suicide bombing.

The murder of Father Jacques Hamel, 85, in France

The utter barbarity of ISIS, its followers--and other like-minded jihadists.

http://www.nytimes.com/2016/07/28/world/europe/france-attack-priest-church-syria.html

The Democratic Convention

A tremendous speech by Michelle Obama, on Monday night, at the convention.

https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/post-politics/wp/2016/07/25/michelle-obama-when-they-go-low-we-go-high/

Two repugnant stories: calls for Secretary Clinton to be executed

"Secret Service investigates Trump adviser who said Clinton should be executed"

https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/post-politics/wp/2016/07/20/secret-service-investigates-trump-advisor-who-said-clinton-should-be-executed/

"GOP lawmaker regrets calling for Clinton to be hanged"

http://www.cnn.com/2016/07/16/politics/hillary-clinton-republican-delegate-hung/index.html

Baton Rouge

It is just so awful, what has taken place in Baton Rouge.

The story, below, is about the three officers who were killed.

http://www.cnn.com/2016/07/17/us/baton-rouge-officer-profiles/index.html

The attack in Nice

The terror attack in Nice is staggering, and hideous. From the CNN report, below: French President Hollande, "addressing his country following its third major terrorist attack in 18 months, described the assault as an 'unspeakable act' and vowed that France would 'be able to overcome all trials.' "

http://www.cnn.com/2016/07/15/europe/nice-france-truck/index.html

A terrible week

This past week was a terrible and tragic one, in America. First, there were the shootings in Minnesota and Louisiana. And then, the ambush murders of the officers in Dallas.

Here is a New York Times editorial; it is titled "The Horror in Dallas, a Country Drowning in Grief.".

http://www.nytimes.com/2016/07/09/opinion/the-horror-in-dallas-a-country-drowning-in-grief.html?smid=fb-share

Suicide attacks in Saudi Arabia earlier this week

ISIS hasn't, as of this writing, claimed responsibility for three attacks in Saudi Arabia earlier this week. The story below notes, however, that "Islamic State extremists have attacked the kingdom repeatedly in recent years, mostly targeting the Shiite minority and state security personnel."

From the story:  "The Medina attack struck the security office of the mosque where the Prophet Muhammad is said to be buried, an important stop for millions of pilgrims who visit the holy cities each year. Four security officers died in the attack, [television news channel] Al Arabiya said, in addition to a suicide bomber."

http://www.nytimes.com/2016/07/05/world/middleeast/saudi-arabia-us-consulate-kuwait.html?smid=fb-share

And Baghdad...

"Bomb Attack in Baghdad shopping district kills more than 120";  ISIS, once again, has claimed responsibility.

https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/more-than-80-killed-in-bomb-attack-in-baghdad-shopping-district/2016/07/03/19a3613a-40fc-11e6-bc99-7d269f8719b1_story.html

Bangladesh

And now, tragedy in Bangladesh. ISIS has taken credit for the murders. The sickness, the cancer, that is jihadist terrorism continues.

http://www.nytimes.com/2016/07/03/world/asia/bangladesh-hostage-standoff.html