Barbara Palvin Never Better (VIDEO)

At Sports Illustrated Swimsuit:

Alex Kershaw, The Liberator

At Amazon, Alex Kershaw, The Liberator: One World War II Soldier's 500-Day Odyssey from the Beaches of Sicily to the Gates of Dachau.

Alexis Ren Topless on Instagram

At Drunken Stepfather, "Alexis Ren Topless of the Day":

Alexis Ren is topless on instagram – dancing in her underwear because she wants to teach her new Dancing With the Stars fans that she has from being on dancing with the stars, what her success is all about…getting naked on instagram…which is that website that they’ve heard of, maybe their grand kids have it, because no one watches TV anymore…unless they live in the trailer park in some hick town in the south…

There is no way anyone under 75 is into watching Dancing with the Stars. It is not possible...

Oh hey there 😜 pic.twitter.com/2YQrMgZ8Q5

— Alexis Ren (@AlexisRenG) December 4, 2018

Padma Lakshmi is Hot

At Drunken Stepfather, "Padma Lakshmi Got Them Titties out of the Day."

And at Celeb Jihad, "PADMA LAKSHMI NUDE PHOTOS COLLECTION (NSFW Site)."

Emmanuel Macron's Nightmare

The worst riots in France in a couple of generations. Folks are being reminded of 1968.

At the Economist, "Emmanuel Macron’s problems are more with presentation than policy."

Emmanuel Macron’s problems are more with presentation than policy
So not a nightmare just a bump pic.twitter.com/m3pN2tZdBy

— Sunchartist (@Sunchartist) December 7, 2018

Jennifer Aniston for Elle Magazine

At Drunken Stepfather, "JENNIFER ANISTON STILL GOT HER NIPPLES OUT OF THE DAY."

And at Elle:

“We live in a society that messages women: By this age, you should be married; by this age, you should have children,” Jennifer Aniston told ELLE. “That’s a fairy tale." Read the full interview with our January 2019 cover star: https://t.co/1evC4bBOFb

— ELLE Magazine (US) (@ELLEmagazine) December 8, 2018

Jennifer Delacruz's Weekend Forecast (Late)

I'm late getting to this, but as you know, I just love Ms. Jennifer.

At ABC 10 News San Diego:

Graham T. Allison, Destined for War

At Amazon, Graham T. Allison, Destined for War: Can America and China Escape Thucydides's Trap?

Ezra Vogel, Deng Xiaoping and the Transformation of China

At Amazon, Ezra Vogel, Deng Xiaoping and the Transformation of China.

Odd Arne Westad, Restless Empire

I'm posting a bunch of new books as suggestions for under the Christmas tree.

Thanks for your support!

At Amazon, Odd Arne Westad, Restless Empire: China and the World Since 1750.

Arrest of Meng Wanzhou Further Roils U.S.-China Relations

Bloomberg has an excellent piece, "China's Ire Finally Flares as U.S. Opens Huawei CFO Case."

And at the Los Angeles Times, "The arrest of a top Huawei executive is 'a shot into the heart' of China's tech ambitions, analysts say":

The arrest of a top executive at one of the most successful Chinese global companies threatens to upend a delicate detente between the U.S. and China in their months-long trade war.

Meng Wanzhou, deputy chairwoman and chief financial officer of telecommunications giant Huawei, was arrested Saturday during a transit stop at a Vancouver airport and could face possible extradition to the U.S. and an appearance in federal court in New York.

A U.S. law enforcement official, who was not authorized to discuss the case by name, said the action against Meng involves violations of U.S. sanctions against Iran. Another U.S. official described the violations as serious. Neither official provided specifics.

The arrest comes at a sensitive time as Washington and Beijing aim to strike a trade deal before March 1. White House officials told CNN that Meng could be used as leverage in trade talks. It’s unclear whether President Trump knew about the arrest in advance, though national security advisor John Bolton told National Public Radio that he did.

Now any trade agreement has to overcome what will probably be viewed as a provocation in the eyes of China’s leadership, given Huawei’s importance.

“Huawei embodies the existential angst of China hard-liners in the U.S. concerned about China's ostensible grand plan for global domination of new high-tech industries,” said Eswar Prasad, a professor of trade policy at Cornell University. “Meanwhile, such actions by U.S. and other governments crystallize fears among Chinese leaders that the real intention is to hold back China’s economic progress and transformation.”

China demanded the immediate release of Meng, who is among the cream of China’s corporate elite. She is the daughter of tech billionaire Ren Zhengfei, Huawei’s founder and CEO and a former engineer in the People's Liberation Army.

Chinese officials said she had not broken any laws, accused the United States and Canada of violating her rights and demanded an explanation as to why she was arrested.

Huawei said in a statement it was unaware of any wrongdoing by Meng.

Chinese state media accused the U.S. of harassing Huawei to gain advantage in the worldwide competition for control of next-generation 5G cellular networks.

U.S. officials have not officially confirmed the reasons for Meng’s arrest. The U.S. has long considered Huawei a front for the Chinese government and military.

The arrest “wasn't a shot across the bow, but a shot into the heart of the ship” because Meng was basically considered an official of the Chinese government, a former U.S. official involved in national security matters said, speaking on condition of anonymity.

President Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping agreed Saturday to suspend planned tariff hikes for 90 days to allow negotiations on a deal to end the trade conflict.

In a sign that China wanted to push for a deal despite anger over Meng’s arrest, officials said Thursday that trade talks would go ahead on agricultural products, automobiles and energy.

Meng’s arrest, significant because of her elite connections and prominent corporate position, triggered shock in China. The arrest is doubly sensitive because it threatens the rise of one of China’s top cutting-edge brands, now the world’s second-largest smartphone company, surpassing Apple in sales this year.

The state-owned Global Times reflected Chinese outrage over her arrest in an editorial accusing Washington of “resorting to a despicable rogue approach” in a bid to hurt the company. The paper also tweeted Thursday that China should be ready for an escalation of the trade war, warning that Meng’s arrest was vivid evidence that Washington would not soften its stance against Beijing.

“It is clear that Washington is maliciously finding fault with Huawei and trying to put the company in jeopardy with U.S. laws,” the editorial said.

Washington is demanding sweeping changes to China’s industrial policy, in particular its state support for key high-tech industrial firms, forced transfers of technology by American companies doing business in China, and tolerance or tacit encouragement of intellectual property theft...

Still more.

This is What Sovereignty Looks Like

Seen on Twitter:

Everyone wants their countries back. Nobody wants unelected EU bureaucrats in charge.

This is what it looks like when the people decide to reject the false song of globalism, and embrace sovereignty over one’s own nation.

This is Rome over the weekend:pic.twitter.com/LNVHFw6kXc

— Alana Mastrangelo (@ARmastrangelo) December 9, 2018

America's New Religions

Folks are diggin' on this new piece from Andrew Sullivan. I admit I enjoy his writing, but never forget that he's got a few screws loose. Remember the 2008 campaign and Dr. Andrew Gynecologist diagnosing Sarah Palin as not able to have birthed her baby Trig (or something like that)? (See the Other McCain, "Dear Andrew Sullivan." Also, at AoSHQ, "Don't Go Over There, But Sullivan Is Pushing (of Course!) Trig Trutherism Now.")

At New York Magazine:

"We’re mistaken if we believe that the collapse of Christianity in America has led to a decline in religion. It has merely led to religious impulses being expressed by political cults." https://t.co/bM8PPXXG8r

— Claire Lehmann (@clairlemon) December 8, 2018

Democrats Are Just Too Darned Smart

From Ed Driscoll, at Instapundit, "LIVING THE SMUG LIFE."

It's especially the smug Mazie Hirono.

.@maziehirono thinks Democrats are too smart & so they have trouble talking to the rubes

Someone told her this & she agrees

Let me help you
Whoever told you that
Is not smart
Neither are you or the rest of your crew pic.twitter.com/WBVaWyZCl2

— Jim Hanson (@Uncle_Jimbo) December 5, 2018

C.J. Chivers, The Fighters

This looks awesome. Chivers is a Pulitzer Prize winner.

At Amazon, C.J. Chivers, The Fighters: Americans in Combat in Afghanistan and Iraq.

Leftists Are Redefining Racism

From William Voegeli, at the Claremont Review, "Racism, Revised."

Long, but very good.

Shopping Today

At Amazon, Today's Deals. Save on our top deals every day.

And especially, #followme Womens Ugly Christmas Sweater - Sweaters Women, and #followme Mens Ugly Christmas Sweater - Sweaters for Men.

Also, Chico's Women's Zenergy Convertible Waffle Cardigan.

More, Craftsman 108 Pc. Mechanic's Tool Set - 009-38108.

And, OTS NCAA Adult Men's Start Line Center Stretch Fit Hat.

Plus, Smith & Wesson SWA24S 7.1in Stainless Steel Folding Knife with 3.1in Clip Point Serrated Blade and Aluminum Handle for Outdoor Tactical Survival and Everyday Carry.

Still more, Buck Knives 110 Famous Folding Hunter Knife with Genuine Leather Sheath.

Here, MusclePharm Combat 100% Whey Protein Powder, Chocolate Milk, 5 Pound.

And, Prime Labs Men's Testosterone Booster (60 Caplets) - Natural Stamina, Endurance and Strength Booster - Fortifies Metabolism - Promotes Healthy Weight Loss and Fat Burning.

More here, Samsung QN65Q6F Flat 65” QLED 4K UHD 6 Series Smart TV 2018.

BONUS: Steven Pinker, The Better Angels of Our Nature: Why Violence Has Declined.

Brandon Hobson, Where the Dead Sit Talking

At Amazon, Brandon Hobson, Where the Dead Sit Talking.

Former President George W. Bush Overcome by Emotion During His Eulogy for His Father, George H.W. Bush (VIDEO)

I know a lot of conservatives dislike George W. Bush, but I love him. I wish I could meet him. He's my favorite president. I love Trump too, but there was the dignity of George W. while in office, and his dogged perseverance on the Iraq war I'll never forget.

And this is a wonderful eulogy.

Alexis Ren as Never Before (VIDEO)

She's a luscious little tart, dang.

At Sports Illustrated Swimsuit: