U.S. Launches Tomahawk Missile Strike After Syria Chemical Weapons Attack (VIDEO)

Oh boy.

That's a pretty quick turnaround from yesterday's comments about "crossing so many lines."

I like it. This president shows resolve and dispatch. It was literally a surprise attack. Members of Trump's own administration didn't even know beforehand. And striking so quickly sends all kinds of messages, to Assad and Kim Jong Un, as well as Vladmir Putin and Xi Jinping. A new sheriff's in town. The U.S. will not hesitate to act when "vital interests" are at stake, as President Trump made clear in his comment today in the strike.

In any case, at the Guardian U.K., "US strikes Syrian airfield in first direct military action against Assad: Dozens of Tomahawk missiles have been launched at a government airfield in the wake of the Syrian leader’s use of chemical weapons against civilians."

And at USA Today, "U.S. launches cruise missile strike on Syria after chemical weapons attack":

WASHINGTON — "No child of God should ever suffer" the horror of the chemical weapons attack Syria launched on its own people, President Trump said Thursday, as he announced a cruise missile strike against Syria.

Trump ordered the strike against Syria early Friday local time in retaliation for the chemical weapons attack that killed 86 people on Tuesday, he said.

The attack, the first conventional assault on another country ordered by Trump, comes a day after he declared that the chemical weapons assault had “crossed many, many lines,” including the deaths of 27 children.

From his resort in Palm Beach, Fla., Trump said Syrian President Bashar Assad "launched a horrible chemical attack on innocent civilians using a deadly nerve agent. Assad choked out the lives of helpless men, women and children. It was a slow and brutal death for so many. Even beautiful babies were cruelly murdered at this very barbaric attack. No child of God should ever suffer such horror.

"Tonight I ordered a targeted military strike on the airfield in Syria from where the chemical attack was launched. It is in this vital national security interest of the Untied States to prevent and deter the spread and use of deadly chemical weapons," Trump said.

Years of previous attempts to change Assad's behavior had failed, Trump said.

The 59 missiles, fired from the destroyers USS Porter and Ross in the eastern Mediterranean Sea, struck the airfield where the Syria based the warplanes used in the chemical attack, according to Navy Capt. Jeff Davis, a Pentagon spokesman. The missiles destroyed aircraft, hardened hangars, ammunition supply bunkers, air defense systems and radar at the Shayrat Airfield.

The chemicals used in the attack on April 4 were also stored at the base, Davis said. The missile strike was designed to deter Syria from mounting another chemical attack...

More.

Devin Nunes Still a Hero in California's Central Valley

GOP Rep. Devin Nunes will step down from the House Russia investigation, but he's still a hero in the Central Valley.

At LAT, "Washington may be shaking its head, but Devin Nunes is still a hometown hero":

Devin Nunes takes himself out of Russia investigation, at least temporarily. A look at his two worlds: https://t.co/tJKGYsOFj7

— Cathleen Decker (@cathleendecker) April 6, 2017

At home, Devin Nunes remains what he has always been, an auspiciously successful man who rose swiftly to unexpected heights, a man high school teachers point to when they tell kids in this often-overlooked place what is possible in this world.

Outside the farming community southeast of Fresno that has sustained him and his family for generations, though, many see the 14-year Republican congressman very differently — as a national symbol of political bungling or worse.

The House investigation of Russian interference in the 2016 election, which he heads, has stalemated. A senator from his party has acidly compared him to Inspector Clouseau, the bumbling French detective from the “Pink Panther” movies. Democratic leaders have accused him of working with the White House to divert attention from the investigation into whether the Trump campaign colluded with Russia to derail Hillary Clinton’s candidacy. In much of official Washington, the mention of Nunes’ name prompts dismissive shakes of the head.

The two views of Nunes are impossible to reconcile, not that many in his district are trying to. In a region where troubles often take the form of drought or pestilence, his longtime constituents greet Nunes’ difficulties with a shrug, their faith in him undiminished...

More.

Fritz Fischer, Germany's Aims in the First World War

This is the one to read for understanding the origins of World War One.

At Amazon, Fritz Fischer, Germany's Aims in the First World War.

Justus D. Doenecke, Nothing Less Than War

Well, this one is timely, considering.

At Amazon, Justus D. Doenecke, Nothing Less Than War: A New History of America's Entry into World War I.

One Hundred Years Ago Today: U.S. Entered World War I

There's some argument that the U.S. should have stayed out of WWI, perhaps to the effect that if we stayed home, the rest of the 20th century would have turned out differently (and better).

Frankly, looked at in balance-of-power terms, it was sooner or later. We went to Europe in 1917, but counterfactually, had the Western Allies failed to stop Imperial Germany in 1919, it was just a matter of time. Indeed, the rise of German power made U.S. intervention on the European continent inevitable, and with it the rise of U.S. hegemonic status.

On Twitter:

The first world war helped shape modern America. Why is it so forgotten? https://t.co/ThfuJB4xwT

— The Guardian (@guardian) April 6, 2017

100 years ago today #Congress declared war on Germany and formally entered #WWI #WW1CentetnnialKC

— WW1 Centennial (@WW1CC) April 6, 2017

The 100th anniversary of U.S. involvement in WWI will be officially commemorated in Kansas City, Mo. #WorldWarOne https://t.co/soBsoavR8V pic.twitter.com/XsFd9Rh7qn

— USA TODAY (@USATODAY) April 6, 2017

Advertisements for Pamela Geller's AFDI Banned by San Francisco Municipal Transportation Authority (VIDEO)

At Pamela's, "VIDEO: Pamela Geller on ABC News: San Francisco BANS Free Speech on Buses, Subways."

And at Truth Revolt, "San Francisco Bans Political Ads on Transit After Conservative Group Submits Pro-Trump Ad."

And watch here, on YouTube, "Pamela Geller on ABC News."

Stacey L. Smith, Freedom's Frontier

As noted, I think leftist scholars throw the term "genocide" around rather loosely, especially with respect to American Indians, and in particular California's indigenous population. I'll post more on that later.

Meanwhile, at Amazon, Stacey L. Smith, Freedom's Frontier: California and the Struggle over Unfree Labor, Emancipation, and Reconstruction.

Daniel K. Richter, The Ordeal of the Longhouse

*BUMPED.*

At Amazon, Daniel K. Richter, The Ordeal of the Longhouse: The Peoples of the Iroquois League in the Era of European Colonization.

Jackie Johnson's Sunny and Warm Forecast

It's been really warm. My kid got a little sunburn while out today cruising around with his friend.

It's nice though. I'm not complaining.

Here's the lovely Ms. Jackie with the forecast, for CBS News 2 Los Angeles:

Tess Jantschek Playboy Pictorial (VIDEO)

At Fashion Mag, "Tess Jantschek by Dove Shore from Playboy (March / April 2017)."



BONUS: At E! Online, "Hugh Hefner's Son Shares an Update on His Dad's Health and Putting Nudity Back in Playboy."

Albert L. Hurtado, Indian Survival on the California Frontier

* BUMPED.*

I'm seeing some interesting books on California's indigenous peoples. I'll be posting some of them.

Meanwhile, at Amazon, Albert L. Hurtado, Indian Survival on the California Frontier.

ADDED: I'm still looking to post more on California Indians, but so much of the work is about the alleged "genocide" of the state's natives that I'm hesitant. (Many tribes remain in California, of course, although the Gold Rush periods was known for its savagery and ethnic cleansing, no doubt. Stay tuned.).

President Trump Says Chemical Weapons Attack Changed His View of Syria (VIDEO)

And this just days after Secretary of State Tillerson sought to rehabilitate Bashir Assad.

We've been escalating in Iraq and Syria in any case. I'm interested to see how things play out now, like the buzz of a more legitimate hard-power case for regime change in Damascus. That's something a lot of Trump supporters opposed during the campaign. Not sure what the political upside would be if Trump's looking to hang onto his hardcore base of supporters. I don't think they're primarily neoconservatives.

In any case, at the Washington Post, "Trump condemns chemical attack as his U.N. ambassador assails Russia’s role":

A chemical attack in Syria that killed scores of civilians, including children, “crossed a lot of lines for me,” President Trump said Wednesday, adding that he is now responsible for trying to end a grinding conflict he blamed his predecessor for prolonging.

Unlike his U.N. envoy, Trump did not mention Russia and its culpability for backing Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, whose government blamed the chemical release on rebel forces.

“When you kill innocent children, innocent babies — babies! — little babies,” Trump said, “that crosses many, many lines. Beyond a red line, many, many lines.”

He suggested that the attack Tuesday had changed his mind about his approach to the conflict and confronting the Islamic State in Syria and Iraq, but he did not give any specifics.

“I like to think of myself as a very flexible person,” Trump said during a Rose Garden news conference with visiting Jordanian King Abdullah II.

“And I will tell you that attack on children yesterday had a big impact on me, big impact. That was a horrible, horrible thing,” Trump said. “I’ve been watching it and seeing it, and it doesn’t get any worse than that.”

Trump said the grinding Syrian conflict, in its seventh year, “is now my responsibility,” but repeated campaign-trail criticism of the Obama administration for threatening military action and then backing off.

“We have a big problem. We have somebody that is not doing the right thing. And that’s going to be my responsibility,” Trump said. “But I’ll tell you, that responsibility could’ve made, been made, a lot easier if it was handled years ago.”

Earlier Wednesday, U.N. Ambassador Nikki Haley assailed Russia in blunt terms for protecting the Syrian government, saying that Moscow is callously ignoring civilian deaths...

More.

Advertisers Bail on Bill O'Reilly (VIDEO)

A lot of companies have yanked their ads. This is serious business.

Funny, too, because you'd find the same kind of allegations at all of these companies, that is, if the New York Times would invest in exposing them like they have Fox News.

In any case, at LAT, "Advertisers bail from 'O'Reilly Factor' following payments to settle sexual harassment claims."

And from CBS Evening News last night:



PREVIOUSLY: "Bill O'Reilly Thrives at Fox News (VIDEO)."

Pepsi Apologizes for Trivializing Black Lives Matter

Actually, this is so stupid I'd have hoped Kendall Jenner would've avoided it, but then, perhaps she should get props for helping SJW activism look so lame.

At the New York Times, "Pepsi Pulls Ad Accused of Trivializing Black Lives Matter."

"Pepsi also apologized on Wednesday to Ms. Jenner" Ridiculous. No one forced her to be in the ad https://t.co/4S2H2b7ZSf

— Emily Parker (@emilydparker) April 5, 2017

The video's still available on YouTube, "Kendall Jenner for PEPSI Commercial."

And at Twitchy, "Bad taste? Kendall Jenner’s new Pepsi ad pisses off a lot of people...",  and "Did Pepsi’s apology for now-pulled Kendall Jenner ad only make things worse?"

Paris Jackson Perky Pokies Braless

At the Sunday Express U.K., "Paris Jackson flashes NIPPLE PIERCINGS as she goes braless during birthday celebrations."

Harriette Harper Wet White T-Shirt at Tenerife Holiday

At the Mirror U.K., "Harriette Harper flashing bare boobs at the pool in wet t-shirt."

ICYMI: Anne F. Hyde, Empires, Nations, and Families

*BUMPED.*

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

Bianca Balti Uncovered for Sports Illustrated Swimsuit 2017 (VIDEO)

She's lovely --- and the Rookie of the Year!

New Kate Hudson Bikini Pics

At the Sun U.K., "HUD-SUN, SEA AND SAND: Kate Hudson shows off natural beauty as she goes make-up free in string bikini and takes a dip on holiday with her kids - Hollywood actress unwinds in tropical Hawaii."

Kate Hudson shows off natural beauty as she goes make-up free in string bikini and takes a dip on holiday with her… https://t.co/GnNosA9A2R

— The Sun Showbiz (@TheSunShowbiz) April 5, 2017

BONUS: At Drunken Stepfather, "BELLA THORNE POSTS A BIKINI PICTURE OF THE DAY."

Shop Men's Accessories

At Amazon, 70% Off or More on Men's Accessories.

BONUS: From Helen Smith, Men on Strike: Why Men Are Boycotting Marriage, Fatherhood, and the American Dream - and Why It Matters.