Judith Matloff, No Friends but the Mountains

An Amazon #1 New Release, Judith Matloff, No Friends but the Mountains: Dispatches from the World's Violent Highlands.

And at the New York Times and Christian Science Monitor:

Tell Us 5 Things About Your Book: Judith Matloff on Why Mountains Attract War https://t.co/4kSwjR74YM

— Lara Heimert (@LaraHeimert) March 22, 2017

.@csmonitor calls Judith Matloff's #NoFriendsbuttheMountains a "crushing investigation into mountain mayhem" https://t.co/S4tZtSG5eb

— Basic Books (@BasicBooks) March 10, 2017

What's Left of the Communist Left?

Well, the old-line Marxist-Leninists may be out, but Gramscian neo-Marxist post-colonial social justice warriors are still definitely in.

It's a weird paradox, actually, but that's the world we live in.

Read this outstanding review of the scholarly literature on the Russian Revolution, from Sheila Fitzpatrick, at the London Review of Books, "What's Left?"

Under review:

The ‘Russian Revolution' brand is in danger. https://t.co/3LKpfXexCJ

— London Review (LRB) (@LRB) March 23, 2017

* China Miéville, October: The Story of the Russian Revolution.

* Mark D. Steinberg, The Russian Revolution, 1905-1921.

* S.A. Smith, Russia in Revolution: An Empire in Crisis, 1890 to 1928.

* Sean McMeekin, The Russian Revolution: A New History.

* Tony Brenton, Historically Inevitable?: Turning Points of the Russian Revolution.

Former California Govenor Pete Wilson: No Regrets, No Apologies

He was a man ahead of the times.

Damn right he's got no apologies. He's been freakin' vindicated by events.

At the Los Angeles Times, "Pete Wilson looks back on Proposition 187 and says, heck yeah, he'd support it all over again":

After all these years, Pete Wilson has no regrets about Prop 187. 'We'd tried everything else.' @markzbarabak https://t.co/36YDKUCCPk

— Marc Duvoisin (@MarcDuvoisin) March 24, 2017

For a time, no California politician was more formidable than Republican Pete Wilson.

Over two decades, the popular former San Diego mayor enjoyed a record of nearly unbroken success, besting Gov. Jerry Brown in 1982 to seize a U.S. Senate seat and toppling San Francisco Mayor Dianne Feinstein eight years later to win the governorship. He served in Sacramento during a time of epic upheaval, staring down a massive budget deficit and a series of biblical natural disasters: drought, earthquakes, fire, floods.

Now, at 83, he is waging what amounts to his final campaign — and certainly his most personal — an effort to shape how he’ll best be recollected.

By most accounts, Wilson was quite successful during eight years as governor, leaving the state in better shape than he found it, though he takes issue with that assessment. “No,” he said, “a hell of a lot better.”

If Wilson is renowned for one thing, however, it is Proposition 187, the controversial ballot measure that sought to stem illegal immigration and address its costs by cutting off state services, including healthcare and public education, to those in the country illegally.

Wilson didn’t draft the measure, nor did he place it on the November 1994 ballot. But he became the foremost champion and central character — or villain — in a narrative that goes something like this:

His reelection apparently doomed, Wilson seized on the provocative initiative and, through a racist campaign, tapped the latent bigotry of Californians to rescue his flailing candidacy, a Pyrrhic victory that has badly damaged Republicans by alienating Latinos in the state and nationwide ever since.

The narrative gained renewed currency with the rise of Donald Trump, fueled by his inflammatory rhetoric toward immigrants — Muslims and Mexicans, in particular — and the wall he promises to throw up along the Southwest border.

(Although he preferred Trump to Democrat Hillary Clinton, Wilson is no great fan of the president. He does, however, see merit in his proposal to wall off the border. “People say, … ‘God, it would cost a fortune,’” Wilson said. “Not nearly as much as failing to build the wall.”)

Setting aside comparisons, there is some truth to the popular account of Wilson’s political comeback.

He started his reelection campaign as a distinct underdog, trailing by as much as 20 points in preference polls. He was helped considerably by his tough-on-immigration stance, which came after years spent hectoring Washington for not securing the country’s borders and foisting billions in costs on states like California.

But Wilson also benefited greatly from his leadership after the January 1994 Northridge earthquake and the wretched campaign run by his Democratic rival, Brown’s sister, Kathleen, which lacked focus and ultimately ran out of cash.

It is also true his tough stance against illegal immigration and, especially, support for Proposition 187 both antagonized and energized a burgeoning Latino population, in California and around the country, abetted by Democrats who knew an opportunity when they saw one.

But Wilson will go to his grave steadfastly denying any racist or malign intent, saying his support for Proposition 187 — most of which was ultimately blocked in the courts — had nothing whatever to do with race or ethnicity.

“It wasn’t scapegoating. What it was doing was laying out the facts of what it was costing state taxpayers for federal failure,” Wilson said in his office high above Century City, where he still maintains an active law practice.

Later, he circled back: “I may have my flaws but racism is not, never has been, never will be, one of them.”

For all his political success, Wilson was no great orator, nor personally charismatic. Rather, his political strength was always as a tactician, far better operating behind the scenes than standing before a TV camera.

Looking back, he dissected the 1994 campaign the way a surgeon might discuss a kidney transplant, his clinical detachment belying not just the fiery emotion surrounding the immigration issue but the hurt he said he has felt ever since...

More.

Myla Dalbesio Wears Nothing But Sand (VIDEO)

Sports Illustrated went all out this year, heh.

Ms Myla's da kine.

Todd Shepard, The Invention of Decolonization

This looks excellent.

Todd Shepard, The Invention of Decolonization: The Algerian War and the Remaking of France.

BONUS: Alistair Horne, A Savage War of Peace: Algeria 1954-1962.

Talitha L. LeFlouria, Chained in Silence

At Amazon, Talitha L. LeFlouria, Chained in Silence: Black Women and Convict Labor in the New South.

BONUS: Sarah Haley, No Mercy Here: Gender, Punishment, and the Making of Jim Crow Modernity.

Lauren Southern, Barbarians

*BUMPED.*

At Amazon, Lauren Southern, Barbarians: How Baby Boomers, Immigrants, and Islam Screwed My Generation.

Finally back in Canada, range day 🔫🔫 pic.twitter.com/xklhJqIK1X

— Lauren Southern (@Lauren_Southern) June 27, 2016

Elton John's 70th Birthday Celebration Gala (VIDEO)

It's tomorrow night, at the Hammer Museum in Westwood.

From the press release:

ELTON JOHN’S 70TH BIRTHDAY AND HIS 50-YEAR SONGWRITING PARTNERSHIP WITH BERNIE TAUPIN WILL BE CELEBRATED TOMORROW, MARCH 25, 2017, AT A GALA EVENT IN LOS ANGELES

WATCH A SHORT FILM WITH A SELECTION OF HIGHLIGHTS FROM HIS AMAZING CAREER HERE

ROB LOWE WILL SERVE AS HOST

LADY GAGA AND OTHER SURPRISE GUESTS WILL PERFORM AT THE EVENT

THE CELEBRATION WILL BENEFIT THE ELTON JOHN AIDS FOUNDATION AND THE UCLA HAMMER MUSEUM

LOS ANGELES, March 24, 2017 – Tomorrow, March 25, a gala fundraising event celebrating Elton John’s 70th birthday and his 50-year writing partnership with Bernie Taupin will benefit the Elton John AIDS Foundation (EJAF) and the Hammer Museum at UCLA. Held at Red Studios in Los Angeles, the evening will be hosted by Rob Lowe and will feature a gala dinner and special musical performances by Lady Gaga and other surprise guests.

Watch a short film with a selection of highlights from Elton’s amazing career here https://youtu.be/ngusy7cvA4A

In keeping with Elton's commitment to philanthropy, he is eager to leverage the celebration of his 70th birthday and his amazing songwriting collaboration with Bernie Taupin in order to support two worthy causes that are the driving passions of his life: ending the global HIV/AIDS epidemic, and art in all its many forms. To that end, this event will raise urgently needed money to help fund the grant-making initiatives of the Elton John AIDS Foundation and exhibitions and programs presented by the Hammer Museum in Los Angeles.

This very special evening will honor the many strands of an unrivalled career and life that still continue to enrich, enthrall, and inspire.  Elton John is a true musical and cultural iconoclast, with a record that speaks for itself. He has achieved worldwide sales of over 250 million records and has 58 Billboard Top 40 singles in the United States. He has written the music for the stage and screen successes Billy Elliot: The Musical, Elton John & Tim Rice's Aida, and Disney's cinematic and theatrical sensation The Lion King. A tireless live performer, Elton has played more than 3,500 concerts in over 80 countries. He has collected 12 Ivor Novello Awards, six GRAMMYS®, two Brits, an Oscar®, and a Tony. He has been inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and The Songwriters Hall of Fame, and has received a knighthood from Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II in 1998. He is a tireless charitable campaigner and philanthropist, notoriously outspoken for the causes he believes in. Elton John is an undisputed pop culture legend. His knowledge and championing of new music has helped many new artists achieve recognition and success. He is constantly moving forward, never resting on his laurels, never becoming complacent, predictable, or dull.

Of his career with Bernie Taupin, Elton simply says, "It's the same excitement now as when we first started. That this year marks the 50th anniversary of my partnership with Bernie Taupin is mind boggling for me because it seems like only yesterday that I met him. It's an amazing achievement to stay with one person for 50 years on a creative basis, in an industry where that doesn't really happen very much."

On reaching his 70th year, Elton notes, "I'm interested in moving forward all the time, with what I create, my collaborations, and also with discovering the work of other people. I think age is immaterial, provided we keep our minds alive by being open to new things. I can be as excited by a new artist who plays me their demo as I am by a new record of one of my musical heroes. I can be excited by playing a new city I've never played before, or revisiting somewhere I know well and seeing how it's changed. Life is a constant state of flux for us all, and I like to embrace that. I also feel very happy to use my position to bring attention to injustice in the world, and to try to help where I can. At this time in my life I'm the happiest I have ever been."

Bernie Taupin says of Elton, "It's been an unconventional partnership and while we pretty much patented the two-rooms technique I'd venture to say you'd be hard pressed to find a couple of songwriters more in sync with each other and their craft".

See Elton John on tour. Go to www.eltonjohn.com for more information.

ICYMI: Alvin M. Josephy, Jr., The Nez Perce Indians and the Opening of the Northwest

The book arrived a couple of days ago, and man, is it impressive -- at 644 pages (not counting footnotes and end-matter).

I can't start this one right now, as I want to really savor it. I'll wait until the semester's over.

At Amazon, Alvin M. Josephy, Jr., The Nez Perce Indians and the Opening of the Northwest.

Interestingly, Mr. Josephy wasn't an academic historian. (You'd never know it by looking at the book.) He passed away in 2005. See his obituary at the New York Times, "Alvin M. Josephy, Jr., 90, Historian on Indian Life, Dies."

City University of New York to Revamp Remedial Programs

Well, good luck with that.

At the New York Times, "CUNY to Revamp Remedial Programs, Hoping to Lift Graduation Rates":

80% of CUNY freshman need remedial classes. But now, CUNY is rethinking its remedial programs from end to end https://t.co/yj09o1wxBj

— Elizabeth A. Harris (@Liz_A_Harris) March 20, 2017

Twenty-thousand new students arrived at public community colleges in New York City last fall only to be told they were not ready for college-level work. Instead, they were placed in remedial classes to complete the preparation they were supposed to have received in high school.

But for a significant portion of these students, remedial courses will not put them any closer to a degree. The courses take time and cost money — or consume a portion of a student’s financial aid — while offering no credits. Many students, frustrated that they are sitting in class without progressing toward a degree, drop out. It is a pattern replicated every year, not just in New York but at community colleges across the country.

Now, the City University of New York, the largest urban public university system in the United States, is moving to fundamentally rework its traditional remedial programs. Administrators hope program changes this year and in 2018 will make necessary catch-up less of a stumbling block, while ensuring that students who are in college-level classes are prepared to do the work.

“The notion is that if you can succeed in college, we want to help you get there,” said Vita C. Rabinowitz, executive vice chancellor and university provost at CUNY. “No artificial barriers or screening devices. It’s a matter of true college readiness.”

Dr. Rabinowitz said that about 80 percent of freshman entering community college in the CUNY system require remediation in reading, writing, math, or some combination of those subjects. Students of color are twice as likely to be assessed as needing remediation as white students. But at the end of one year, only half of all students in remediation have advanced out of those classes. The need for remediation is a chronic problem at community colleges around the country as students graduate from high school without the skills they need for college.

“We had outcomes that were in line with national averages, which is to say very disappointing,” Dr. Rabinowitz said. The system, she said, was not working. “And if that’s not working, then CUNY is not working.”

One fundamental shift CUNY is planning will address how students are assigned to remedial courses. Traditionally, most students entering CUNY community colleges take placement tests in reading, writing and math, which determines who needs help. But researchers and college administrators around the country worry that these tests put people in remedial classes who could have done well without them.

In fact, ACT, the testing company, withdrew its placement test from the market last year over such concerns. Ed Colby, a spokesman for the company said that the test, called Compass, and others like it, were not placing students where they should be. Students who had been out of high school for a few years when they took the exam were particularly likely to be unnecessarily steered toward remediation, Mr. Colby said.

For now, CUNY has switched to a different test — ACCUPLACER, which is a College Board exam — but the plan is to incorporate other measures as well. David Crook, associate university provost for academic affairs at CUNY, said they were considering looking at students’ grades in relevant classes, or perhaps their overall grade point average. They hope to have a new system in place for the fall of 2018.

CUNY has also put in place an automatic retesting policy for those who score just below the passing cutoff on the math and reading placement tests. Since the option was put in place last fall, about 550 students have taken advantage of it on the reading exam, and of those, 49 percent passed on their second try. Three hundred students retook the math test, and of those students, 55 percent passed...

More.

One of the things they're doing is removing the algebra requirement: "CUNY will now require all of its associate degree programs to offer an alternative to remedial algebra, like quantitative reasoning or statistics."

Check back with me in a couple of years and we'll see how that's working out. Basically, keep dumbing down community colleges, and then guarantee your students won't be successful after transferring to a university for the bachelor's degree.

Healthcare Reform Will Pass, Gorsuch Will Be Confirmed, and President Trump Will Be Proven Accurate on His Surveillance Claims…

Well, President Trump's already being proved correct on his surveillance claims, and I expect Gorsuch to be confirmed.

Not so sure about the healthcare bill, however. I'm not following it that closely, but lots of folks on the right aren't pleased. But we'll see.

Meanwhile, see the Conservative Treehouse.

David W. Grua, Surviving Wounded Knee

This looks very good.

Out just last year, it appears current and hip with the latest trends in the (progressive) literature.

At Amazon, David W. Grua, Surviving Wounded Knee: The Lakotas and the Politics of Memory.

London Under Attack — And Leftists Laughing at Tommy Robinson (VIDEO)

Via the Rebel:

British Prime Minister Theresa May Condemns Westminster Jihad Terrorist Attack (VIDEO)

I do like Theresa May, but at times like this I can only reflect on how she's brought on the terror herself. She's not all to blame. The entire radical left collectivist culture has infected everything, to the point where even so-called conservatives have sold out the old-line Brits who should be the country's salt-of-the-earth (the folks who voted for Brexit, in particular). But the Tories' sick pandering to Islam is a big part of the problem, and it won't be getting better anytime soon.

Canadian Woman Videotapes Two Large Black Wolves Running Along the Highway as She was Traveling to Work (VIDEO)

That's wild, literally!

Here's the video, at the Mother Nature Network, "Woman films encounter with wild wolves running along a highway in Canada."

And at Telegraph U.K.:

A Canadian woman was travelling to work when she noticed two large black wolves running on the road alongside herhttps://t.co/Uj455v9cGQ

— The Telegraph (@Telegraph) March 22, 2017

Four-Year-Old Minnesota Boy Accidentally Hangs Himself (VIDEO)

Just devastating.

At CNN:

After Westminster Jihad Attack, Britain Vows to Defend 'Tolerance'

Pfft.

There's going to be nothing to defend too much longer.

See Robert Spencer, at FrontPage Magazine, "Jihadi Attack in London, U.K. Vows to Defend 'Tolerance'."

Melanie Phillips, Londonistan

At Amazon, Melanie Phillips, Londonistan.

The suicide bombings carried out in London in 2005 by British Muslims revealed an enormous fifth column of Islamist terrorists and their sympathizers. Under the noses of British intelligence, London has become the European hub for the promotion, recruitment and financing of Islamic terror and extremism - so much so that it has been mockingly dubbed Londonistan. In this ground-breaking book Melanie Phillips pieces together the story of how Londonistan developed as a result of the collapse of traditional English identity and accommodation of a particularly virulent form of multiculturalism. Londonistan has become a country within the country and not only threatens Britain but its special relationship with the U.S. as well.

Federal Staffers Panicked by Conservative Media Attacks

These "federal staffers" are supposed to be nonpartisan bureaucrats who serve elected officials without prejudice. If these same people are afraid of conservatives, that's good. That means they've figured out "the people" are on to them and their far-left schemes of endless government expansion and collectivist utopia.

At Politico:

Obviously, the truth is making career staffers at State uncomfortable. That is not our problem. - @gastonmooney https://t.co/n1uTd9dtfP

— Nick Short (@PoliticalShort) March 22, 2017

Three New Books on the Frankfurt School

This stuff would have been right in Andrew Breitbart's wheelhouse (and if you're not getting my meaning, see his book, Righteous Indignation: Excuse Me While I Save the World!).

Here we are:

* Peter E. Gordon, Adorno and Existence.

* Stuart Jeffries, Grand Hotel Abyss: The Lives of the Frankfurt School.

* Stefan Müller-Doohm, Habermas: A Biography.

And see the review, at the New York Review:

Samuel Freeman reviews three new books on the lives and ideas of the Frankfurt School https://t.co/hvQCb6baBl

— NY Review of Books (@nybooks) March 13, 2017

Sean McMeekin, The Russian Revolution

Before I embarked on my reading and research on American Indians and the frontier West, I was reading a lot of history of Russia and Stalin.

So, it turns out there's more such historiography on the way.

See Sean McMeekin, at Amazon, The Russian Revolution: A New History (out May 30th).

NBC's Matt Bradley Worried Westminster Jihad Attack Will 'Put Wind in the Sails' of 'Right-Wing Movement'

Hey, brother, the sails have been billowing for years now. Frankly, the chickens of political correctness came home to roots in Westminster today.

But see NewsBusters, via Ed Driscoll at Instapundit, "RIGHT ON CUE: NBC Reporter Fears London Terror Will ‘Put Wind in the Sails’ of ‘Right-Wing Movement’."

Five Dead, Dozens Injured in Westminster Jihad Attack at British Parliament (VIDEO)

Information is still coming in, for example, the identity of the suspect is still unknown.

Following-up from earlier, "Shots Fired Outside British Parliament."

At the Guardian U.K., "Parliament attack: police officer among five dead in 'sick and depraved' incident":

The Guardian understands the initial working theories of the police investigation are the attacker was inspired by Isis and was most likely a “lone actor”. The attacker’s identity was already known to counter-terrorism officials. Rowley said investigators were trying to establish the attacker’s associates and his preparations for the attack.

Apparently, "police refuse to name" the suspect, and that's apparently after a number of outlets identified the wrong person.

See also Pamela's, "U.K. news outlets WITHDRAW claim that Abu Izzadeen was London jihad murderer."

More at the Telegraph U.K., "How Westminster terror attack had echoes of Brussels, Nice and Berlin."

#PresidentTrump Vindicated on Surveillance Claims

Heh.

I've been saying this all along, and now here comes Rep. Devin Nunes, chairman of the House Intelligence Committee, indicating that some of President[-elect] Trump's communications were captured at Trump Tower during the transition.

At Bloomberg, "Nunes Says Trump Team Conversations Caught in Surveillance."

'ALARMED' AS DETAILS WIDELY DISSEMINATED... https://t.co/Y49xQXb9Ld

— DRUDGE REPORT (@DRUDGE_REPORT) March 22, 2017

Hot New Releases, Updated Hourly

Shop today, Amazon Hot New Releases.

Also, Richard Slotkin, The Fatal Environment: The Myth of the Frontier in the Age of Industrialization, 1800–1890.

Bernard DeVoto, The Course of Empire.

And, Dale L. Morgan, Jedediah Smith and the Opening of the West.

Allan Nevins, Frémont: Pathmarker of the West.

More, Robert M. Utley, A Life Wild and Perilous: Mountain Men and the Paths to the Pacific.

Richard White, "It's Your Misfortune and None of My Own": A New History of the American West.

Plus, Anne F. Hyde, Empires, Nations, and Families: A New History of the North American West, 1800-1860.

BONUS: ICYMI, Patricia Nelson Limerick, The Legacy of Conquest: The Unbroken Past of the American West.

Shots Fired Outside British Parliament

This is a developing story, at the Telegraph U.K., "Live Parliament shooting Armed man 'shot by police' after charging through Westminster gates and stabbing officer."

#BREAKING: Man shot by police outside Parliament. More details to follow. pic.twitter.com/aa8IVWpj5k

— The Telegraph (@Telegraph) March 22, 2017

A policeman is understood to have shot an intruder three times at close range outside the Houses of Parliament https://t.co/oiCGGVWrPq pic.twitter.com/9f0qNpsg5z

— The Telegraph (@Telegraph) March 22, 2017

Westminster in lockdown: Two people were seen lying within Old Palace Yard, immediately outside Westminster Hall https://t.co/oiCGGVWrPq pic.twitter.com/bGimxJPOKR

— The Telegraph (@Telegraph) March 22, 2017

At least a dozen injured people on Westminster Bridge near UK parliament, a Reuters photographer reports https://t.co/oiCGGVWrPq pic.twitter.com/CJ86cc6W5a

— The Telegraph (@Telegraph) March 22, 2017

Scotland Yard said it was called to a firearms incident on Westminster Bridge amid reports of several people injured https://t.co/oiCGGVWrPq pic.twitter.com/u9tQKvqXfj

— The Telegraph (@Telegraph) March 22, 2017

An Air Ambulance outside the Palace of Westminster after an armed man was 'shot dead by police' https://t.co/oiCGGVWrPq pic.twitter.com/mmiFRk8bwP

— The Telegraph (@Telegraph) March 22, 2017

Major security alert under way at Palace of Westminster: man reportedly shot by police outside Houses of Parliament https://t.co/oiCGGVWrPq pic.twitter.com/h3TCjMMn6v

— The Telegraph (@Telegraph) March 22, 2017

House of Commons Leader David Lidington tells MPs a "police officer has been stabbed" and the "alleged assailant was shot by armed police" pic.twitter.com/dSvn86qdGD

— The Telegraph (@Telegraph) March 22, 2017

The scene on Westminster Bridge. A major security alert is under way at the Houses of Parliament https://t.co/oiCGGVWrPq https://t.co/6jtXVsNJat

— The Telegraph (@Telegraph) March 22, 2017

Staff inside Westminster were told to stay in their offices and the PM was reportedly bundled away from parliament https://t.co/oiCGGVWrPq pic.twitter.com/lp44TdIfrY

— The Telegraph (@Telegraph) March 22, 2017

We'll see if it was a vehicle jihad attack, but it's best not to speculate until more information becomes available.

ADDED: The headline at Daily Mail's calling it a "terrorist attack."

Police shoot 'knife wielding man' outside Parliament after car mows down five people on Westminster Bridge https://t.co/H6XQNCZRrs pic.twitter.com/QgEoj8PKs0

— Daily Mail U.K. (@DailyMailUK) March 22, 2017

MORE: It's a very bad situation:

Looks like they have stopped CPR on the intruder at Parliament

— John Stevens (@johnestevens) March 22, 2017

Intruder has been lifted onto stretcher and is being put in ambulance

— John Stevens (@johnestevens) March 22, 2017

A blanket has been put over person down who we think was police officer. First aiders have stopped treating them

— John Stevens (@johnestevens) March 22, 2017

Ambulance carrying intruder has left Parliament. The body of the person we think was police officer is dead, body covered by red blanket

— John Stevens (@johnestevens) March 22, 2017

Commons tannoy: "Due to security incident all buildings have been locked down - please stay in current location until further notice"

— John Stevens (@johnestevens) March 22, 2017

NEW: Metropolitan police say they're treating firearms incident "as a terrorist incident until we know otherwise." https://t.co/6ilOxFEvKs pic.twitter.com/XyEqRPnyRV

— ABC News (@ABC) March 22, 2017

UPDATE:

#ParliamentAttack: "Witnesses describe 'Asian guy' in his 40s carrying eight-inch long knife": https://t.co/Z4TZ1k6Y0Q

— Donald Douglas (@AmPowerBlog) March 22, 2017

I've got to get in the shower and head to work. Folks in Britain call Pakistani Muslims "Asians," so you can see where this is going. More tonight.

Vandalism of Vietnam War Memorial in Venice (VIDEO)

The vandals should do time.

Jeez, this is despicable.

At CBS News 2 Los Angeles:

Sears, Roebuck & Company, Circling the Drain

Well, it's been a long time since the overwhelming success of the Sears catalog, and the company's feeling the pain.

At USA Today:

#Sears owner says 'substantial doubt' it can stay in business: https://t.co/tJ5nYp8om3

— Donald Douglas (@AmPowerBlog) March 22, 2017

Hannah Jeter Takes It Off (VIDEO)

She's married to Derek Jeter, but still, heh.

At Sports Illustated.

Yoshiko Uchida, Desert Exile

I've never heard of this book. It came up in my Amazon recommendations.

Here, Yoshiko Uchida, Desert Exile: The Uprooting of a Japanese American Family.

Don't Pay Attention to Fake News

From Ben Garrison below, and more cartoon's at Theo's, "Cartoon Roundup..."

"What's that crumbling noise?" #FakeNewsMedia @CNN the most Distrusted Name in News.. #BenGarrison #cartoons at https://t.co/x1pNN6ymoT pic.twitter.com/zrDJhZDV7W

— BenGarrison Cartoons (@GrrrGraphics) March 21, 2017

ICYMI: Fergus Bordewich, Killing the White Man's Indian

*BUMPED.*

At Amazon, Fergus Bordewich, Killing the White Man's Indian: Reinventing Native Americans at the End of the Twentieth Century.

Wow! Thanks to the Reader Who Bought the NordicTrack T 6.5 S Treadmill!

I remember about 5 years ago or so, when I first started as an Amazon associate, a reader bought some kind of hefty stained-oak bunk bed (or what have you). The bed retailed for $799.00 and garnered quite the generous commission.

That doesn't happen too often.

So, I want to thank the reader who picked up the NordicTrack T 6.5 S Treadmill, costing almost as much as the bunk bed, and which will bring an almost $32.00 commission --- enough to pay for the average book purchase I make on Amazon.

Thanks again!

And remember, readers can support this blog at no extra cost to themselves. I've always got a few Amazon links at the sidebar, and of course I've been posting book links like crazy for the past few months.

And here, Online Shopping for Electronics, Apparel, Computers, Books, DVDs, & More!

More blogging tonight!

Richard J. Evans Reviews Volker Ullrich's, Hitler: Ascent, 1889-1939

Last October I wrote, "I doubt we need a new Hitler biography at this point, but then, there's certainly a market for them."

Frankly, I wasn't so sure there was much new to be told about the life of Adoph Hitler, but I'm always open to persuasion.

So, while I'm not a fan of the Nation and rarely link it, this Richard J. Evans reveiw, of Volker Ullrich's new biography of Hitler, calls for an exception. See, "A Warning From History: A new biography of Hitler reminds us that there is more than one way to destroy a democracy."

It's good. RTWT.

And the Ullrich volume is here, at Amazon, Hitler: Ascent, 1889-1939.

There is more than one way to destroy a democracy. @RichardEvans36 on Volker Ullrich's new biography of Hitler https://t.co/f0cxQtlvTH

— The Nation Bks_Arts (@BooksandtheArts) March 16, 2017

New Lanes Open on 91 Freeway in Corona (VIDEO)

Well, two of the lanes are toll lanes, with another lane added going both directions for regular traffic.

Some folks don't seem too ecstatic.

At the Riverside Press-Enterprise, "91 Freeway toll lanes now open, but is traffic any better?"

And at CBS News 2 Los Angeles:

Young Turks​' Ana Kasparian​ in Tizzy About Liz Wheeler (VIDEO)

Liz Wheeler's totally cool. Never seen her in person, but from what I've seen on OAN, she's a smokin' firecracker.

ICYMI: Nonie Darwish, Wholly Different

At Amazon, Nonie Darwish, Wholly Different: Why I Chose Biblical Values Over Islamic Values.

ICYMI: KC Johnson and Stuart Taylor, Jr., The Campus Rape Frenzy

The left's evil never sleeps.

You gotta stay on your toes.

Read KC Johnson and Stuart Taylor, Jr., via Amazon, The Campus Rape Frenzy: The Attack on Due Process at America’s Universities.

Ivanka Trump to Get West Wing Office

As she should.

What a lady!

Ivanka now has an official office in the West Wing next to Powell, getting a security clearance + gov-issued phone: https://t.co/pUvRxreSdC

— Annie Karni (@anniekarni) March 20, 2017

I normally hate this genre of tweets, but: imagine if Chelsea Clinton got a West Wing office https://t.co/VJqh2Ouv0Y

— Hayes Brown (@HayesBrown) March 20, 2017

If Hillary had won, she probably would have had one. https://t.co/2DqYvh0G7i

— Kathleen McKinley (@KatMcKinley) March 20, 2017

Democrats Still Haven't Faced Their God Problem

From Salena Zito, at the New York Post:

Democrats still haven't faced their God problem https://t.co/Aivj3h2S3Q via @nypost

— SalenaZito (@SalenaZito) March 20, 2017

PHILADELPHIA — The Democratic Party has a God problem.

And over the last couple of decades, as its base became more educated, less religious and more urban, this problem has only grown.

Some of this has to do with lower church attendance in cities versus rural areas, and the Democratic Party’s increasing reliance on urban voters. Some of it is the divisiveness of social or cultural issues like abortion and gay marriage. And the divide has seemingly sapped Democrats’ ability to communicate to religious Americans.

Especially if those people of faith are white, according to Brad Chism, a longtime and respected Democratic strategist based in Mississippi.

“And that problem extends to the national media, who by and large are mostly Democrats, meaning you have these powerful forces who do not understand more than half of the people in this country,” he said.

Chism makes a crucial point about what this means for American politics: Some of the greatest moral advancements in our country’s history have been accomplished largely through the influence of the church and churchgoing people, especially through the 20th century.

“You look at women’s suffrage, civil rights, the abolition of slavery and all of these massive other changes — religion and religious people have played a role in moving society toward a higher plane,” said Chism.

“We’ve seen that recently as well, but a lot of progressives and liberal Democrats don’t see the role of religion in society, and that is a big mistake,” he said.

And it’s a mistake people like Kevin Washo are trying to rectify, though they feel like they’re swimming against the tide. A day before the Democratic National Convention opened here last July, Washo, a Catholic and prominent national Democrat, organized a private Mass led by a Jesuit priest in the conference room of a prestigious law firm in a shimmering Market Street skyscraper.

That imagery is a far cry from the 2012 Democratic convention, when the hall exploded in turmoil as Democrats voted to amend their party’s platform to include the word “God.” The platform initially had dropped previous platform language that referenced God. After an outcry, convention chairman Antonio Villaraigosa returned to the stage to take a floor vote on a motion to reinsert the language.

The floor vote quite clearly failed as Villaraigosa repeated the roll call. Eventually he declared that “the ayes have it,” and loud boos exploded across the arena.

The headlines that came out of that debacle — “Democrats boo God” was a common one — ended up making matters worse for those, like Washo and Chism, who would like to see their party counter the perception of its estrangement from people of faith...

Washo and Chism need to get real: The Democrats are a Marxist party. They've doctrinally abandoned God as a matter of ideology and politics. Any outward expression of faith on the part of Democrat office-seekers is artifice. I mean, c'mon. Abortion politics, to mention just one policy item, is predicated on the rejection of moral values and Biblical teaching: Jeremiah 1:5: Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, and before you were born I consecrated you; I appointed you a prophet to the nations..."

A leopard doesn't change its spots. The Democrats won't change theirs.

Jeff Bezos Looks a Little Too Happy Piloting a Giant Mechanical Robot (VIDEO)

Bezos cries out, to yelps of laughter, "Why do I feel so much like Sigourney Weaver?!!"

Actually, he's much more menacing than Ripley in "Alien." He's more like Obadiah Stane in "Iron Man."

At the Verge.

That's a nasty mechanical robot. Big, huge, and menacing.

@JeffBezos "Why do I feel so much like #sigourneyweaver ?" @amazon #MARS2017 #openpodbaydoors 😬🤓 pic.twitter.com/HRRzmQtZbh

— Caleb Harper (@calebgrowsfood) March 20, 2017

ICYMI: Scott Greer, No Campus for White Men

Out now.

At Amazon, Scott Greer, No Campus for White Men: The Transformation of Higher Education into Hateful Indoctrination.

Stephen Budiansky, Perilous Fight

Allan Eckert's, The Frontiersmen, concludes with dramatic scenes from the War of 1812 (and events involving the book's character's leading up to the climax, tying it all together).

So, of course that got me searching around for stuff on the war; there's a load of great books on the topic!

I'll have more later, but this is great.

At Amazon, Stephen Budiansky, Perilous Fight: America's Intrepid War with Britain on the High Seas, 1812-1815.

Barrett Tillman, On Wave and Wing

*BUMPED.*

I love this!

Available Monday Out now, at Amazon, Barrett Tillman, On Wave and Wing: The 100 Year Quest to Perfect the Aircraft Carrier.

Student Leader Who Tweeted 'Jews Will Get What's Coming to Them' Rails Against Exposure as 'Islamophobic Smear Campaign'

Heh.

Reminds me of scriptural verse, "Therefore, by their fruits you will know them."

At Blazing Cat Fur.

Kendall Jenner La Perla Lingerie Photoshoot

At Drunken Stepfather, "KENDALL JENNER LINGERE SHOOT FOR LA PERLA OF THE DAY."

BONUS: "DIONI TABBERS BY ELLEN VON UNWERTH OF THE DAY":

I am a fan of Dioni Tabbers. I don’t really know all that much about her, other than the fact that she doesn’t really have much of a following, considering she’s been getting naked for photoshoots for at least 4 years…at least according to my documenting of her getting naked -> LINK HERE BUT TOO LAZY TO GO FIND IT.

Heh.

'Cuckold Stands by Wife' After She Cheats with 14-Year-Old Boy

Ouch.

That's a harsh headline.

Maybe the dude just loves his wife and practices Christian forgiveness.

That said, being "cuck" is kind of a thing these days, lol.

At the New York Post:

A husband stood by his wife after her affair with a middle school kid https://t.co/PFojR41y7T pic.twitter.com/xe5rP3p8P3

— New York Post (@nypost) March 20, 2017

Former Student Making Allegations Against #NeilGorsuch Has Ties to Obama, Democrats

This is some nasty politics.

Totally disgusting.

The accuser's a partisan Democrat hack, and NPR tried to walk back its initial botched hit job. Too late though. You can't clean up that sleaze once you spread it.

Fmr law student: Neil Gorsuch told ethics class firms should ask female applicants if they plan to have children https://t.co/e3mZtg2HNm

— NPR Politics (@nprpolitics) March 20, 2017

former law student of Gorsuch claims he said women manipulate employers by not disclosing plans to become pregnant https://t.co/9EIByGZeAI

— Catherine Rampell (@crampell) March 20, 2017

.@michellemalkin @JammieWF now @NPR trying to walk it back, too late, they published a flimsy hit piece and should be held accountable pic.twitter.com/Z3Z573jcEy

— Legal Insurrection (@LegInsurrection) March 20, 2017

Minor detail. "Former Female Student Making Allegations Against Gorsuch Has Ties to Obama, Democrats" https://t.co/xp50t0RsTo

— Kelsey Harkness (@kelseyjharkness) March 20, 2017

I've Finished Allan Eckert's, The Frontiersmen

The book's almost 700 pages long.

I've got to plow through chapter after chapter when I'm reading big tomes like this one, mostly because I've got to get on to my next book.

I read most of the day yesterday, except to watch UCLA in the March Madness tournament (against Cincinnati).

In any case, Eckert can't be recommended too highly. Indeed, I'm going to start on book two of his "Narratives of America" series after not too long.

At Amazon, Allan Eckert, The Frontiersmen: A Narrative.

And don't miss others in the series, Wilderness Empire: A Narrative; The Conquerors; The Wilderness War; Gateway to Empire; and Twilight of Empire.

Thanks for your support.

Police Hassle Tommy Robinson at 'Anti-Racism' March in London (VIDEO)

Via the Rebel:

Chuck Berry, One of the 'Founding Fathers' of Rock 'n' Roll, Dies at 90 (VIDEO)

At the Los Angeles Times, and the George Harrison Foundation below.

Chuck Berry was a dynamic force on the frenzied rock 'n' roll tours of the 1950s. He died at age 90. https://t.co/VfHehF0JOT pic.twitter.com/hKIqo7bXsJ

— Los Angeles Times (@latimes) March 18, 2017

RIP Chuck Berry. The 1st song that @thebeatles performed at their 1st US concert was "Roll Over Beethoven."
Watch: https://t.co/rFyPCranEw pic.twitter.com/8JSgALNjDY

— George Harrison (@GeorgeHarrison) March 19, 2017

BONUS: At CBS This Morning, "Music world remembers Chuck Berry."

I blogged about him on his birthday, in October, "'Johnny B. Goode'."

Chloé Valdary

Ms. Chloé made the "Don't Judge Blacks Differently" video for Prager University, which is one of my longtime favorites.

She's a really good lady.

The Gorsuch Confirmation Hearing

At the Weekly Standard, "It's Showtime."

It's Showtime: Leonard A. Leo Previews the Gorsuch Confirmation Hearing https://t.co/1uCK4TJnvD

— The Weekly Standard (@weeklystandard) March 20, 2017

Also, at HuffPo, via Memeorandum, "Democrats May Be Botching This Supreme Court Confirmation Fight."

Lisbeth Haas, Saints and Citizens

I mentioned I'd start posting some books on California's indigenous peoples.

This one looks excellent.

At Amazon, Lisbeth Haas, Saints and Citizens: Indigenous Histories of Colonial Missions and Mexican California.

Elliott West, The Contested Plains

*BUMPED.*

At Amazon, Elliott West, The Contested Plains: Indians, Goldseekers, and the Rush to Colorado.

Incredibly High Public Knowledge of the Supreme Court!

Uh, not really.

At Hot Air, "Yeesh: Just 43% can name a single justice on the Supreme Court."

RELATED: At LAT, "Senate battle over Supreme Court nominee Neil Gorsuch."

Senate battle over Supreme Court nominee Neil Gorsuch has been relatively mild, but that's about to change https://t.co/hNHOf7ShRo pic.twitter.com/i2BBSPtnt5

— Los Angeles Times (@latimes) March 19, 2017

Sunday Sabine Rule 5

Okay, lets' get this party started!

ICYMI, "Flashback to Sabine."

At Pirate's, "Sorta Blogless Sunday Pinup," and "If All You See……is a world both drying out from carbon pollution, creating sand everywhere, and flooding, you might just be a Warmist."

Drunken Stepfather, "Steplinks of the Day," and "Agent Provocateur Sugar Baby Bikinis with Lambos of the Day."

At WWTDD, "SI's Definition of Full Bodied Just Got Much Better and Shit Around the Web."

Bro-Bible, "50 of the Sexiest, Must-See Instagram Pictures on the Internet Today."

90 Miles from Tyranny, "Morning Mistress." Bonus, "Watch what happens at 0:25, when two trapped swans notice two humans. The swans knew the humans were their last hope, so they asked them for help!!"

Goodstuff's, "GOODSTUFFs BLOGGING MAGAZINE (284th Issue), with Senta Berger!"

At Odie's, "Ivanka ~OR~ Rule 5 Woodsterman Style."

Plus, the Hostages, "Big Boob Friday."

Still more, at Linkiest, "40 Hottest Instagram Pics of Jem Wolfie."

From last week, at the Other McCain, "Rule 5 Sunday: Whitewashing the Cyborg."

A View from the Beach, "Rule 5 Saturday - A Dutch Treat - Valerie van der Graaf."

At Proof Positive, "Friday Night Babe: Ashley Moore!"

A Slice of Cheesecake, "Valerie Hobson."

More, at Knuckledraggin', "Your Good Morning Girl"

Watch, at Playboy, "Yep, This Is Why Kennedy Summers Is Playmate of the Year 2014."

BONUS: Beth Lilly.

Edmund Wilson, Apologies to the Iroquois

*BUMPED.*

I picked up a used copy.

And the book's available at Amazon, Edmund Wilson, Apologies to the Iroquois: With a Study of the Mohawks in High Steel, by Joseph Mitchell.

Also at the New Yorker, "APOLOGIES TO THE IROQUOIS (OCTOBER 17, 1959 ISSUE)."

Wilson was a very interesting fellow. He published To the Finland Station, a study on "the course of European socialism," in 1940 (and much more).

John Gillingham, Medieval Britain

I need to order some of these "short introduction" books. They're quite topical.

At Amazon, John Gillingham, Medieval Britain: A Very Short Introduction.

Poll: Most Young Americans See Donald Trump as Illegitimate President

Most young Americans are blithering idiots, so you can discount these findings, for sure.

Besides, it's at the Associated Press, heh.

See John Sexton, at Hot Air, "Poll: Majority of 18-30 year olds see Trump as an illegitimate president."

Mariah Carey Busts Out the Big Green Jugs for St. Patrick's Day

Seriously.

Not kidding.

At London's Daily Mail, "Mariah Carey puts on a VERY busty display in plunging PVC dress as she celebrates St Patrick's Day with beau Bryan Tanaka and children Moroccan and Monroe."

Mariah Carey puts on a VERY busty display while celebrating St Patrick's Day https://t.co/s0WX7T28uw pic.twitter.com/1hUn4TEPZM

— Daily Mail Celebrity (@DailyMailCeleb) March 18, 2017

Britney Spears Shows Off Two Skin-Tight Cocktail Dresses, Asks Instagram to Choose Which One's More Flattering

Well, they both look pretty good, but what do I know lol?

Besides, I'm not on Instagram, heh.

At London's Daily Mail, "Strutting her stuff! Britney Spears models two thigh-skimming dresses and asks Instagram to choose the winner."

Britney Spears models two thigh-skimming dresses and asks Instagram to choose the winner https://t.co/KZjcQl8DXO pic.twitter.com/aaRo419coP

— Daily Mail Celebrity (@DailyMailCeleb) March 18, 2017

Mayim Bialik Takes on Linda Sarsour

At Legal Insurrection, "‘Big Bang Star’ Mayim Bialik takes on Linda Sarsour’s anti-Zionist slur."

What started all of this is a piece at the Nation (where else?), "Can You Be a Zionist Feminist? Linda Sarsour Says No."

‘Big Bang Star’ Mayim Bialik takes on Linda Sarsour’s anti-Zionist slur https://t.co/UdQuX3IU50

— Legal Insurrection (@LegInsurrection) March 18, 2017

#LindaSarsour Highjacking #Feminist Movement, push Anti #Israel, #BDS Movement: wants women to attack Israel. #Islamic Left must be stopped pic.twitter.com/ORkBllpv4S

— Ben (@benghand) March 18, 2017

#MayimBialik Contradicts Anti-#Israel #LindaSarsour: #Zionism, #Feminism Don’t Mix. Sarsour using feminism for #Islamic #Palestinian agenda pic.twitter.com/AjJpywaDxv

— Ben (@benghand) March 18, 2017

Frank Waters, Book of the Hopi

*BUMPED.*

I picked up a copy [a few weeks back], to continue my reading on Native Americans.

This old tome is still available, at Amazon, Frank Waters, Book of the Hopi.

Scary West Virginia Newspaper Cover

Well, there's a been a load of stories about how the Trump budget includes cuts that would harm key constituencies, especially the white working class demographic the propelled the campaign to victory.

But I gotta say, Chris Cillizza's got a point:

This West Virginia newspaper front page should scare Republicans https://t.co/rSockUQ8aG pic.twitter.com/u7xwy5Fat9

— Chris Cillizza (@TheFix) March 17, 2017

Tomi Lahren's Pro-Choice?

As hot as she is, there's always been something that's bugged me about Tomi Lahren.

Sure, she's a little too cock-sure about everything. Sometimes she comes off as superficially informed. But when I saw her speak at Comic Con last June, I noticed that she seems kinda mean. She didn't come off as a friendly sympathetic figure. Not at all. Mind you, she took the stage alongside Mary Katharine Ham, who's the nicest lady you'd ever want to meet -- and a smart-as-hell conservative who held her own against blowhard Bill O'Reilly on Fox News for years -- so yeah, Lahren might have had a little competition in that regard. But she just exuded meanness nevertheless.

After the panel, fawning young conservative women swarmed the podium, many of them attempting to get near Ms. Tomi, to get a selfie or even perhaps exchange business cards, or phone numbers, or whatever it is young hipsters exchange these days. I would have liked to say hello, to give Ms. Tomi kudos on her considerably impressive record of conservative commentary. But on second thought I said nah. She seems mean, as noted, but she also came off as stuck up. You know, she's the hot blonde chick you wanted to go out with in high school but would never have been given you so much as the time of day had you approached her. If a young hotsie-totsie like this deigned to speak to you during high school it was most likely for you to get the hell out of the way, you beta male nincompoop. So with that, I made off into the convention hall, not to worry about it too much. I'd scored a couple of photos of the woman's phenomenal legs, so I guess that was an added bonus of attendance.

So now here comes Truth Revolt with the report that Ms. Tomi's pro-choice? WTF?!! You can't be conservative and be pro-choice. It's like you can't be an all-American male and not like women in bikinis. It's just not a thing.

Well, I guess it is, for the young so-called conservative Ms. Tomi.

See, "'Conservative' Tomi Lahren's Pro-Abortion Stance Pleases 'The View'."

Like I said, sometimes I doubt Ms. Tomi's too smart. Definitely nice legs though.

.@TomiLahren explains why she's pro-choice: "Stay out of my guns and you can stay out of my body, as well." pic.twitter.com/0kFXJ7oL9L

— The View (@TheView) March 17, 2017

Lonzo Ball Leads UCLA Over Kent State, 97-80 in #MarchMadness

I wanted to watch last night's March Madness meeting between Kent State and UCLA mostly to check out Lonzo Ball. He's the freshman phenomenon out of Chino Hills, who helped lead his high school to record undefeated seasons before heading the Westwood. (Lonzo's got up-and-coming superstar basketball brothers as well. The family's kind of [in]famous in that way.)

In any case, I wasn't disappointed. Lonzo sank his first five baskets attempted, at least, including a three-pointer. Later in the game he took a long pass for a massive flying slam dunk. UCLA's a hot team, seeded third for these NCAA championship games.

In any case, I'm looking forward to seeing UCLA play deep into the tournament.

At the Los Angeles Times:

Dynamic freshman duo again carry the Bruins to victory https://t.co/6u34OwoxWj

— L.A. Times Sports (@latimessports) March 18, 2017

FINAL score presented by Sanyo: UCLA 97, Kent State 80.#KSUvsUCLA l #GoBruins pic.twitter.com/K8DWKeUm0Z

— UCLA Basketball (@UCLAMBB) March 18, 2017

TJ Leaf (23 pts), Lonzo Ball (15 pts) & Aaron Holiday (15 pts) powered UCLA past Kent State, 97-80.

MORE: https://t.co/94W2Flb68i pic.twitter.com/r0XrFThWIV

— UCLA Basketball (@UCLAMBB) March 18, 2017

Comic Genius Ace

At the Other McCain, "Comic Genius @AceOfSpadesHQ: Funnier Than @AmySchumer (and Not as Fat)."

Comic Genius @AceOfSpadesHQ: Funnier Than @AmySchumer (and Not as Fat) https://t.co/brsJMhjvsd

— Mind-Numbed Robot (@mnrobot) March 18, 2017

Flashback to Sabine

At the Sun U.K., from last August, "Saturday August 13: India from Reading -The Premier League kicks off today, let's celebrate with today's Page 3 girl."

A football kit has never looked so appealing... https://t.co/ubXX57eF8P pic.twitter.com/oQf9FC7rjg

— Page 3 (@Page3) March 18, 2017

Geert Wilders and the Real Story of the Election

Following-up, "The Dutch Coalition Government."

From Daniel Greenfield, at FrontPage Magazine:

Geert Wilders and the Real Story of the Election https://t.co/Jx82X5jiwG

— Geert Wilders (@geertwilderspvv) March 16, 2017

The Dutch Coalition Government

Following-up, "Dutch Election Sows (Shows) Extreme Political Fragmentation."

From, Matthew E. Bergman, a lecturer at University of California at San Diego, at the Monkey Cage, "The Dutch pushed back against Geert Wilders’s ‘Patriotic Spring.’ Here’s what you need to know":

Has the “Patriotic Spring” sprung? What’s next for #Netherlands after elections, now @monkeycageblog https://t.co/KC0Cpre7Qg

— Joshua Tucker (@j_a_tucker) March 16, 2017

What does a coalition look like?

In multiparty countries, the absence of a clear majority winner means parties bargain over policy and government positions until a coalition emerges that can earn the support of a majority in parliament. In the Netherlands, once that bargaining is done, a more formal coalition agreement then names the prime minister and cabinet, which then draws up the Government’s Statement of policy priorities.

This coalition bargaining process in the Netherlands generally takes about three months. Large parties hold a bargaining advantage because they require fewer partners to form a majority.

Since World War II, the largest Dutch party has been either the centrist Christian Democratic Appeal (CDA), the social democratic Labor Party (PvdA), or the conservative People’s Party for Freedom and Democracy (VVD). Coalitions form around the leader of one of these three to be the prime minister.

As noted in Figure 1, the Labor Party (PvdA) suffered a loss of 26 seats. There are numerous parties of the left and center, along with smaller parties. But adding together the seats claimed by the PvdA, Green Left (GL), Socialist (SP), Christian Union (CU), Party for the Animals (PvdD), pensioners’ (50 Plus) and multiculturalism (DENK) parties falls far short of the necessary majority.

All the major parties during the campaign pledged not to work with Wilders, even though the PPV holds a sizable number of seats. In 2012, Wilders backed out of his governing arrangement with the VVD and CDA. That episode and his further radicalization and controversial statements may leave PPV out of the final coalition.

ICYMI: Scott Weidensaul, The First Frontier

At Amazon, Scott Weidensaul, The First Frontier: The Forgotten History of Struggle, Savagery, and Endurance in Early America.

William Y. Chalfant, Hancock's War

At Amazon, William Y. Chalfant, Hancock's War: Conflict on the Southern Plains.

Also, Dangerous Passage: The Santa Fe Trail and the Mexican War, and Without Quarter: The Wichita Expedition and the Fight on Crooked Creek.

On St. Patrick's Day, Learn What Marx and Engels Thought of Irish Immigrants

At Blazing Cat Fur.

David Horowitz, The Left in Power: Clinton to Obama

From David Horowitz, at Amazon, The Black Book of the American Left — Volume VII: The Left in Power: Clinton to Obama.

President Trump's Sweeping Budget Cuts Would Fund 'Hard Power'

I love this!

At the Los Angeles Times, "Trump's 'hard power' budget makes sweeping cuts to EPA and State Department, boosts defense spending":

President Trump released a spending plan Thursday that would slash programs across government with a machete to pay for sharp increases in the military, veterans’ health and the construction of a wall along the southwest border.

On the chopping block: billions of dollars in research aimed at fighting diseases and climate change; job training programs; grants to local communities that pay for public transit and housing, heating oil for the poor; diplomatic efforts across the globe; and libraries.

Proposed for elimination: at least 19 independent agencies including the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, the National Endowment for the Arts and the National Endowment for the Humanities.

Trump argued that many of the programs he wants to slash are ineffective, outdated or duplicative. Beyond that, he says the budget is sending a message to reorder $1.1 trillion in the federal government’s discretionary spending around his “America First” agenda, putting defense and border security at the center while curtailing other government functions.

“We can't spend money on programs just because they sound good,” said Mick Mulvaney, director of the Office of Management and Budget and a conservative former congressman from South Carolina.

In addition to proposing cuts across the spectrum, Trump would increase funding for school choice, counter-terrorism and the hiring of more border agents and immigration judges and prosecutors. But the biggest increase, by far, would go to the military in the form of an additional $54 billion in annual spending.

The budget, which lacks many details Trump and his agency leaders will add in the coming months, will not become law in its current form...

More.

Mike Huckabee Blasts United Nations Report Calling Israel an 'Apartheid State' (VIDEO)

Good for him.

Watch, "Fox News contributor sounds off: It's time for the U.S. to quit funding this is nonsense."

Myla Dalbesio in Curacao (VIDEO)

Via Sports Illustrated Swimsuit: