Distrust and verify

It's amazing the respect now given the CIA and other intelligence agencies by Democrats.
And the demands that Donald Trump go along with the thought that Russians got involved in our election.
Powerline know the reason to be skeptical.
But the Obama administration has been so chronically dishonest, and the Democrats’ hysteria over their electoral defeats is so intense, that I don’t think they can be accorded the usual presumption of accuracy and truthfulness.

Churches and McDonalds

Peggy Noonan talks with a photographer who's traveled the country this year, learning what institutions help people survive.
Two great and underappreciated institutions play a deep role in holding it together.
The first is small churches, often Pentecostal and Evangelical. They’re in a dead strip mall or on a spur off a highway and they give everyone an embrace. “Any church that has a sign that says We Welcome Everybody, that’s where I go.” He looks for the ones “that are often literally on the edge of town.” One in Alabama was a former Kentucky Fried Chicken. “It’s clear they don’t have a lot of money. They tend to be more welcoming because they’re used to people walking in off the street.” Though a stranger he is often hugged. He has been invited to speak from the pulpit. “I am a bit of an outcast being a progressive who finds a lot of value in faith beyond just my faith, but faith in others. We progressives, we only seem to celebrate faith among poor blacks, not poor whites.”
The other institution that helps hold people together is McDonald’s. Mr. Arnade didn’t intend to discover virtue in a mighty corporation, but McDonald’s “has great value to community.” He sees an ethos of patience and respect. “McDonald’s is nonjudgmental.” If you have nowhere to go all day they’ll let you stay, nurse your coffee, read your paper. “The bulk of the franchises leave people alone. There’s a friendship that develops between the people who work there and the people who go.”
Maybe the new year bringing hope to people who depend on those places.

Facebook quote of the week

Dear 2016, there's still time to take Keith Olbermann!

Saturday song

Firefall has a strange way to end 2016.

What a year it was

Dave Barry does his annual review of the year we're completing.

Six crucial words

Via Instapundit, Ralph Peters sums up President Obama's worldview.
"Praise Muslims, Ignore Christians, Blame Jews."
Simple and true.

Weekend watchdog

Sunday marks the end of another NFL regular season.
And a celebration of ice hockey's history.
All 32 NFL teams play Sunday, capped by the NBC game matching the Packers and Lions at 8:25 p.m. The NFC North title will be on the line for the winner.
The Ravens end their season against the Bengals on CBS Sunday at 1 p.m., with Raiders-Broncos meeting in the late afternoon. Fox brings Cowboys-Eagles at 1 p.m. before the Redskins face the Giants at 4:25 p.m.
The NHL goes outside to celebrate in the Centennial Classic Sunday at 1 p.m. on NBC, as the Maple Leafs kick off their 100th season in the NHL by meeting the Red Wings.
The action shifts to St. Louis Monday as the Blues face the Blackhawks on NBC at 1 p.m.
Indoors, the Capitals visit the Devils on Comcast Saturday at 1 p.m. before facing the Senators Sunday at 7 p.m.
College football gets one step closer to its national champion on Saturday, with top-seed Alabama facing Washington from Atlanta at 3 p.m. followed by Clemson-Ohio State in the Fiesta Bowl at 7 p.m. The winners of those contests advance to the National Championship game January 9.
Bowl season continues Friday at noon with Georgia taking on TCU at the Liberty Bowl on ESPN. CBS has the Sun Bowl matchup between Stanford and North Carolina at 2 p.m., with Nebraska meeting Tennessee in Nashville on ESPN at 3:30 p.m. Campus Insiders have Air Force and South Alabama from Arizona at 5:30 p.m., with the Orange Bowl contest between Michigan and Florida State on ESPN at 8 p.m.
Louisville battles LSU Saturday at 11 a.m. on ABC from the Citrus Bowl, with Georgia Tech-Kentucky from Jacksonville at 11 a.m. on ESPN.
There's four games on Monday, starting at 1 p.m. as Florida meets Iowa in Tampa on ABC. Western Michigan takes on Wisconsin in the Cotton Bowl on ESPN at 1 p.m., followed by the Rose Bowl matchup between Penn State and Southern Cal. Auburn and Oklahoma tangle in the Sugar Bowl at 8:30 p.m.
ESPN has the Under Armour high school football all-star game Sunday at 1 p.m.
Comcast has the Wizards against the Nets Friday at 7 p.m.
ESPN2 has four contests Friday, starting with West Virginia-Oklahoma State at 4 p.m. Oklahoma battles Baylor at 7 p.m., followed by Kansas-TCU and Arizona against California in the nightcap. Oregon faces Southern Cal on FoxSports1 Friday at 10 p.m.
CBS brings Indiana against Louisville Saturday at 12:30 p.m.
Virginia Tech hosts Duke Saturday at noon on ESPN2.
FoxSports1 has a pair of games Saturday, with Xavier-Georgetown at 11 a.m. before Villanova clashes with Creighton.
North Carolina State meets Miami on Comcast Saturday at 4:30 p.m.
ACC network brings North Carolina-Georgia Tech at noon and Pittsburgh's contest with Notre Dame at 2 p.m.
SMU visits East Carolina on MASN Saturday at noon.
St. John's faces DePaul Sunday at 2 p.m. on FoxSports1, then it's Marquette-Seton Hall at 4:30 p.m. On the women's court, Marquette meets Georgetown Friday at 2 p.m. on MASN.
ESPN2 has three contests Sunday, starting at 2 p.m. as Alabama faces South Carolina. Kentucky takes on Tennessee at 4 p.m. before Temple meets Memphis at 6 p.m.
Hull City clashes with Everton Friday at 2:55 p.m. on NBC Sports network.
Manchester United meets Middlebrough Saturday at 9:55 a.m. NBC brings Liverpool against Manchester City at 12:30 p.m.
The New Year begins in the Premier League with Watford-Tottenham Hotspur at 8:25 a.m. and Arsenal's contest with Crystal Palace at 10:55 a.m.
NBC Sports network has Cricket Saturday at 3 a.m. between Adelaide and Sydney.

Let there be light

Sometimes it's nice to see a new traffic light added to the mix.
U.S. 250 in western Albemarle will be getting a new light at the intersection with Rt. 151, bringing more safety to the trip on Afton Mountain.
I usually take Interstate 64 down the mountain, but I know there will be times when traffic accidents make U.S. 250 the better option.
This light will help.

Coming attraction

Donald Trump has 22 days to get his inaugural speech ready.
Sounds like he's getting a good start.
A person familiar with Trump’s comments said he is “enamored with Reagan’s confident style and how he connected with the country.”
“He went on and on about Reagan and how much he admires him. But it wasn’t all about Reagan. He spoke about Kennedy and how he was able to get the country motivated, to go to the moon. He’s thinking about both men as he starts to write the speech, which is something he’s now taking the lead on,” the person said.

This deal is the bomb

Powerline looks at the Obama's administration's lies in its dealings with Iran.

State of the Democratic Party

Political Clown Parade has the perfect picture to represent the Democratic Party since the election.

Time to learn

Over at DaTech Guy, a list of political lessons from 2016.
For some of us, the future is about building on the successes of 2016 and applying our newfound DC dominance towards solving problems. For a number of stalwart conservatives who are still skeptical about what the future holds, there are lessons to learn and challenges to address in order to steer the Trump administration and GOP Congress in the right direction.

From Christmas past

At every daily newspaper, there are people who have to work Christmas Eve and Christmas Day.
I got the assignment a few times between 1989 and 1993.
My first Christmas Day putting the paper together led off with sad news - the death of Yankees manager Billy Martin.
Gone but not forgotten.

Rock your Christmas

Driving home Saturday, the youngest and I talked about Christmas music.
I noted how all kinds of artists will take usual Christmas song and put them on a Christmas album to make some money during the season.
Then this morning I see Twisted Sister.
Not my idea of Christmas musicians, but they put their stamp on this one.

What they wanted for Christmas

Cleveland Browns fans finally got their wish Saturday - their first win of the season.
How about two in a row against the Steelers next week?

Saturday Christmas song

Hope you have a peaceful Christmas Eve as you and yours await Christmas morning.

Facebook quote of the week

Hearing the O at the Washington football game cheered me up. Baseball season is coming soon.

Weekend watchdog

Some people open their presents Christmas Eve.
Others Christmas morning.
The Steelers and Ravens hope to find a division championship in their possession Christmas evening.
The teams meet on NFL network at 4:30 p.m., with the AFC North basically on the line. A Ravens win means a season sweep that gives them the tiebreaker for the title, while a Steeler win clinches the crown with one game left.
The NFL weekend continues Saturday afternoon, with the Redskins visiting the Bears on Fox at 1 p.m. CBS brings the Patriots and Jets at 1 p.m., and Fox covers the late afternoon slot with Saints against Buccaneers.
NFL network has a Saturday night contest between the Bengals and Texans. The Chiefs take on the Broncos Sunday at 8:30 p.m., and ESPN has Cowboys against Lions Monday at 8:30 p.m.
Bowl season continues Friday with three games on ESPN, starting at 1 p.m. with the Bahamas Bowl matching Old Dominion and Eastern Michigan. Navy faces Louisiana Tech at 4:30 p.m. in the Armed Forces Bowl and Ohio takes on Troy at 8 p.m. from Mobile.
Hawaii tangles with Middle Tennessee Saturday at 8 p.m.
NBA basketball fills Christmas Day, starting at noon as the Celtics take on the Knicks. ABC takes over at 2:30 p.m. with the Cavaliers hosting Golden State, followed by Bulls-Spurs. The Thunder battle the Timberwolves at 8 p.m. before the Lakers and Clippers meet at 10:30 p.m.
On the college court, ESPN2 has Connecticut-Auburn Friday at 2:30 p.m., then Harvard faces Houston at 8 p.m. There's also semifinals of the Diamond Head Classic at 4:30 p.m. and 10 p.m. The championship of the Diamond Head Classic will be Sunday at 8:30 p.m. on ESPN2, after the third place game at 6 p.m.
FoxSports1 offers Rutgers-Seton Hall at 6:30 p.m.
The Capitals host the Lighting Friday at 7 p.m. on Comcast.
NBC Sports network has Rugby matching Northampton against Sale Friday at 2:30 p.m.

Have a nice trip. See you next fall.

How do you get college basketball publicity during the Christmas season?
Do something wrong.
Duke's Grayson Allen found attention Wednesday after tripping an opponent.
Not the attention Duke wanted.

After the fun is gone

A month before inauguration day, are we already in a rut on President-elect Trump?
The wailing on the left continues.
Trump ontinues gearing up for his administration.
The wailing doesn't bother him at all.
If this is how the left will act, it won't be too much fun following politics in 2017.
If the left can't think of another tact to take on Trump, it's going to be a boring four years.

Awaiting disaster

If you think the presidency of Donald Trump will be a disaster for the United States and the world, now you're in the watch and wait phase.

He's going to be president.

Despite your opinion that it's a terrible move.

So you're left waiting for bad things to happen to prove your opinion right.

Or having to deal with the fact you were wrong.

The stock market already appears to be making your life tough - daily record highs mean many people think Trump in charge is the right move.

How much time will you waste waiting for bad things to happen?

We changed the norms, now you must keep them

Andy Schmookler takes an interesting tact - attacking Donald Trump for being outside the current norms.
And wondering why conservatives are not defending norms like they used to?
Maybe it's because the norms have changed.
And conserving norms means not conserving the norms Schmookler wants conserved.
The media should help the citizenry to think through: Is this a norm that should be swept aside, because it gets in the way of our doing the nation’s business at it needs to be done? Or is this a norm that serves the nation well?
We'll see lots of reviewing norms in the next few years. If Schmookler's norms don't serve the nation well, they will be swept aside.

Ready for their Christmas present

Kids are ready for Santa to arrive on Sunday.
The Ravens are ready to battle the Steelers on Sunday.
Who's more excited?

What's the worst thing that can happen?

Scott Adams looks at the climate change debate, focusing on the thought we must do something so terrible things don't happen.
Your life is full of worst-case scenarios that you ignore because you have to. You can’t live a life that manages to the worst-case scenario or else you would never have sex, apply for a job, or drive your car. The worst-case scenario for you EVERY SINGLE DAY involves you getting zika, AIDS, and bird flu right before the brakes on your car fail and you plunge into a ravine.

Celebrate

It's official - the electors have elected Donald Trump president.
Sorry, those who don't like Trump.
What's your next move?

Time for the final exam

Monday, the electors will vote to lock in Donald Trump's victory in the November 8 election.
One more step to the reality of a Trump presidency - in less than 33 days.

Did you know they played Saturday night?

The NFL had a rare Saturday night contest this week.
I forgot it was going on.
And as a former sportswriter, I ought to know when there's a game on the schedule.
But it was the Dolphins and Jets.
Not much to miss.

Facebook quote of the week

I wish to thank the Baltimore Raven's tonight for allowing me to go to bed at my regular bedtime.

Saturday song

Brighten your morning with some Ambrosia.

Weekend watchdog

On January 9, one team will raise the overall championship trophy.
Before then, many teams will celebrate a victory in their final games of the season.
Bowl season begins Saturday with six games, with contests every day except three between then and Jan. 2.
Action starts on ABC at noon with Grambling against North Carolina Central from Atlanta, followed by Houston-San Diego State from Las Vegas at 3:30 p.m.
New Mexico and Texas-San Antonio battle in the New Mexico Bowl at 2 p.m. on ESPN, and Toledo takes on Appalachian State in the Camellia Bowl at 5:30 p.m. on ESPN.
CBS Sports network has the Cure Bowl between Central Florida and Arkansas State, and the night ends in New Orleans with Southern Mississippi facing Louisiana-Lafayette on ESPN at 9 p.m.
NFL network has the Dolphins facing the Jets Saturday at 8:25 p.m.
Fox has the Eagles' visit to Baltimore Sunday at 1 p.m., and some areas in Virginia will see the Giants meet the Lions. The Steelers battle the Bengals at 1 p.m. on CBS, followed by Broncos-Patriots.
The Cowboys host the Buccaneers on NBC Sunday night, and the Redskins host the Panthers Monday night on ESPN.
James Madison tangles with top-seeded North Dakota State in the FCS semifinals Friday at 7 p.m. on ESPN2.
Division II crowns its champion Saturday at 4 p.m. on ESPN2 with North Alabama facing Northwest Missouri State.
The Lakers face the 76ers on ESPN Friday at 8 p.m., then it's Mavericks-Jazz.
The Wizards take on the Pistons Friday at 7 p.m. on Comcast and host the Clippers Sunday at 3:30 p.m.
CBS has three college basketball contests Saturday, starting with Oklahoma-Memphis at 12:30 p.m. UCLA takes on Ohio State at 3 p.m. followed by Kentucky-North Carolina.
Georgetown meets Syracuse on ESPN Saturday at noon.
ESPN2 starts its day at noon with Arizona-Texas A&M. Notre Dame plays Purdue at 2 p.m., with Kansas-Davidson at 7 p.m. and UNLV meets Oregon at 11 p.m. to close the night. It's Gonzaga-Tennessee Sunday at 4 p.m.
Wagner visits Providence on FoxSports1 Saturday at noon, then it's Chicago State-DePaul. Wake Forest faces Xavier at 8 p.m.
Comcast brings ACC basketball Saturday at noon, with Eastern Kentucky meeting Louisville.
VCU tangles with Middle Tennessee State on MASN Saturday at 7 p.m., while MASN2 shows Jackson State against Baylor Saturday at 6 p.m. and John Brown-Baylor Sunday at 4:30 p.m.
On the women's hardcourt, UCLA meets South Carolina Sunday at 2 p.m. on ESPN2.
The Capitals host the Canadiens Saturday at 7 p.m. on Comcast.
NBC Sports network has the Penguins against the Kings Friday at 7 p.m. and the USOC women's hockey Winter Festival Saturday at 4:30 p.m.
ESPN has NCAA volleyball championship between Stanford and Texas Saturday at 9 p.m.
Crystal Palace clashes with Chelsea Saturday at 7:25 a.m. on NBC Sports network. AFC Bournemouth battles Southampton Sunday at 8:25 a.m. followed by Manchester City-Arsenal.
NBC Sports network offers Alpine skiing Sunday at 8 and 9:30 p.m.

Oh the weather outside is frightful

In honor of James Madison football playing in Fargo Friday night, we have North Dakota weather in Virginia tonight.
They can keep that weather.

Winning the transition

Scott Adams gives several examples of why Donald Trump is showing fear of his leadership isn't being backed up by events.
Recent visitors to Trump Tower continue the trend.
10. Trump keeps demonstrating that he likes black people. Kanye West is the latest example. Football great Jim Brown also met with Trump and had good things to say. None of that makes sense if you think Trump is a racist.

Moldy oldies

Now that Democrats finally admit that Donald Trump will be president, they can begin thinking about 2020 choices.

• Joe Biden
• Bernie Sanders
• Elizabeth Warren

Can we find someone who's below retirement age?

Waiting for college to start

It's about a week until the Electoral College meets.
Donald Trump needs the 306 electors he won to officially put him in the White House.
Do the anti-Trumpers have any hope before the college meets?
There's one announced Texas elector who won't vote Trump. Are there 36 more?
The sort of deluded thinking on display here is typical of what we have seen from the Democrats since November 8. What is most striking is that Democrats see Trump’s election as some kind of fluke, an anomaly, a weird disturbance in the universe. In fact, it is just one more manifestation of their party’s long-term decline. A party that refuses to acknowledge reality, let alone deal with it, doesn’t have a bright future.

Latest Scooby Doo adventure

I can hear what was said at Hillary Clinton's house this weekend.
"I would have won this election, if not for those meddling Russians."
Guess it's time for more Scooby snacks.

The rogue one

If you don't like Donald Trump, any accusation becomes a true tool to attack him.
An anonymous CIA person tells the Washington Post about Russian activity in the election?
Totally believable.
How dare Trump question this great agency?
Maybe this CIA accusation is the rogue one.
What if it's not Trump trying to weaken the CIA, but rogue CIA agents working with the press to weaken the newly elected president?
The left has accused the CIA of tampering with governments around the world for years.
Why believe this report entirely now?

Not good if you disagree with me

Scott Adams has mentioned cognitive dissonance of Clinton voters many times, including today.
They are struggling with the conflict between their view of Trump and the reality that he's been voted into the White House.
Andy Schmookler has been writing pieces that show the struggle.
He sees people he lives around doing good things, and yet they voted for Trump.
How can that be?
He sees them helping others in the area.
But they voted for evil Trump.
Does that vote overwhelm any good they do in their non-political lives?
He tries to solve this problem by looking at the recent past.
In the South even well into living memory, the social order was one of racial terror and oppression. Jim Crow and segregation were clearly evil by any reasonable measure, and mighty few were the whites in the region who refused to support it.
Would we want to conclude that in the Old South — of the days of slavery, and all the way up into and past the 1950s — there were virtually no “good” or “decent” white people? Is there anyone here who would want to say that?
As Adams says, the struggle will continue.
So you would expect in this situation that Clinton supporters would enter a type of dream state in which they interpret their reality as being surrounded by racist-sexist-stupid citizens who just elected a genocidal dictator. They have to enter this dream because the only alternative involves believing that they themselves are gullible and deluded. 

I hear Fargo is lovely this time of year

James Madison football fans woke up Saturday wondering where their next game would be.
A home game looked possible when South Dakota State got off to a Jackrabbit start - leading 10-0 early.
Unfortunately for JMU, top-seed North Dakota State came to life and took the contest.
It was -2 outside at gametime.
Fortunately, they play indoors at the Fargodome.
But you have to get to the place for the game.

Important reminder

The Ace of Spades sidebar has an important reminder.
Hillary Clinton will not be president.
And six weeks from now, Donald Trump will be.

Saturday song

Rupert Holmes wasn't happy with what he found out about "Him."

Facebook quote of the week

No way you can outrun a zombie from Kenya.

Surviving the Trump era

It's now been 30 days since Donald Trump clinched the presidency.
How are you feeling about that?
It’s going to be a long four years and there will be plenty of real decisions to get outraged about. If you keep losing your mind every time Donald Trump acts like Donald Trump, you’re going to guarantee a long eight years.
One month down, many more to go.

Weekend watchdog

Army vs. Navy offers one of the best visuals in college football.
This year, it marks the farewell of an iconic TV voice.
CBS's Verne Lundquist calls his final football game Saturday when the Midshipmen and Cadets battle at Baltimore. Kickoff is set for 3 p.m., but tune in early for ESPN College GameDay at 9 a.m. and the pregame show with the arrival of both student bodies.
Lundquist and partner Gary Danielson have called the game since 2009 after finishing their SEC regular season. Lundquist also had part of the ABC coverage for two years in the 1970s. Navy has won 14 straight contests, and both will be playing once more after earning bowl berths.
James Madison has a primetime matchup in the FCS playoffs Friday, hosting Sam Houston State on ESPN2 at 7 p.m. Another quarterfinal match will be on ESPN Saturday, with South Dakota State facing North Dakota State.
ESPN carries the Heisman Trophy presentation Saturday at 8 p.m.
The Redskins take on the Eagles Sunday at 1 p.m. on Fox, followed by Seahawks-Packers. CBS offers the Steelers and Bills at 1 p.m.
The Cowboys meet the Giants on NBC Sunday night, with Ravens-Patriots on ESPN Monday night.
MLS closes its season with Seattle facing Toronto for the league championship Saturday at 8 p.m.
Watford faces Everton Saturday at 7:25 a.m. on NBC Sports network, followed by Arsenal-Stoke City. NBC brings Leicester City's contest with Manchester City at 12:30 p.m.
Chelsea clashes West Bromwich Albion Sunday at 6:55 a.m., then Manchester United meets Tottenham Hotspur. Liverpool takes on West Ham United at 11:25 a.m.
The Thunder take on the Rockets Friday at 8 p.m. on ESPN, with Suns-Lakers in the nightcap. The Wizards host the Nuggets on Comcast Thursday at 7 p.m. and the Bucks Saturday at 7 p.m.
On the college court, Creighton hosts Longwood on FoxSports1 Friday at 7:30 p.m.
CBS brings Villanova against Notre Dame Saturday at noon and Utah travels to Xavier on Fox at 5:30 p.m.
Kansas meets Nebraska at 3:15 p.m. Saturday on ESPN before Duke battles UNLV.
ESPN2 has six contests Saturday, starting at noon with Arizona-Missouri. It's Georgetown against LaSalle at 2 p.m. followed by Wichita State taking on Oklahoma. Texas faces Long Beach State at 6 p.m. before UCLA-Michigan with BYU meeting Colorado in the nightcap at 10 p.m.
Providence tangles with Massachusetts at noon on FoxSports1 before Wisconsin battles Marquette. Cincinnati clashes with Butler at 4:30 p.m.
Comcast offers three ACC contests Saturday, starting at noon with Syracuse hosting Boston University. Louisville faces Texas Southern at 2 p.m. followed by North Carolina State-Tennessee State.
Princeton visits Liberty on MASN Saturday at 2 p.m. and UNC-Wilmington takes on St. Bonaventure at 6 p.m.
TCU clashes Wofford on MASN2 Saturday at 5 p.m.
St. John's hosts LIU-Brooklyn on FoxSports1 at noon. ESPN brings Kentucky-Hofstra at 3 p.m. followed by Tennessee taking on North Carolina.
The Capitals tangle with the Sabres Friday at 7 p.m. on Comcast.
On the college ice, MASN has Massachusetts against Connecticut Friday at 7 p.m. before Minnesota-Duluth takes on Denver at 9 p.m. NBC Sports network has Boston College-Notre Dame Saturday at 7 p.m.
The world swimming championships are on NBC Sports network Friday and Sunday at 6:30 p.m.

Cheering for Trump

The Washington Post heads to West Virginia to visit hopeful Trump voters.
Life has been tough in recent years.
The Post throws all the bad things out about the people interviewed.
But they remain hopeful.
“But I’m really looking forward to this president,” he said. “It’s kind of refreshing to see people come into government who know how business works.”

A Mad Dog Christmas

There's a great story going around about General Mattis.
“Jim, what are you doing here on Christmas day? Why do you have duty?” General Mattis told him that the young officer who was scheduled to have duty on Christmas day had a family, and General Mattis decided it was better for the young officer to spend Christmas Day with his family, and so he chose to have duty on Christmas Day.

Time for change

John Fund details reasons for conservatives to be happy with the Trump transition so far.

Conservative are cheerful at the thought, in large part because the Trump transition team is relying heavily on groups such as the Federalist Society. Among such groups, perhaps the biggest role is being played by the Heritage Foundation, a conservative think tank that played a major role in Ronald Reagan’s transition in 1981.

Following Reagan's footsteps is a great way to start.

Check your filter

Scott Adams focuses on persuasion to explain the world.
If you view an action through trying to persuade, you view Donald Trump one way.
If you view Trump's actions as a man who doesn't know what he's doing, you view it differently.
I think Adams is more persuasive.
Because how did Trump get where he is - and stay on top for years - if he doesn't know what he's doing?

Taiwan on

The news has been abuzz with Donald Trump phone call with the president of Taiwan Friday.
Was it a mistake by a guy who doesn't know what he's doing?
Scott Adams knows better.
But if you look at this situation through the filter of a Master Persuader, it makes perfect sense. Trump is “setting the table” for future negotiations with China. He just subtracted something from China’s brand that they value, and later he will negotiate with them to maybe give it back in some fashion. Probably in return for some trade concessions.
But what about the risk? Does it ever make sense to poke a nuclear power? In this case, probably yes. As I have said in this blog before, China’s leadership is both mature and competent. Many of them have engineering degrees. They understand what Trump is doing, and none of it is a path to war because neither side has any interest in war. None. Zero.

Hope this makes you feel better

Powerline found a picture that should help deal with the election result.

Facebook quote of the week

God did not make us hateful & ignorant !!!!

Saturday song

Take a morning escape with Rupert Holmes.

Weekend watchdog

By the end of the weekend, four teams will know their New Year's Eve plans.
The college football regular season closes with several conference championship games and the announcement of the four teams involved in this year's playoff Sunday at noon on ESPN.
The big weekend begins Friday on ESPN2 with the MAC championship between Western Michigan and Ohio. Fox brings the Pac-12 title contest between Colorado and Washington Friday at 9 p.m.
Top-seeded Alabama faces Florida in the SEC championship game on CBS at 4 p.m.
In primetime, ABC has the ACC title game between Clemson and Virginia Tech, while Fox has the Big Ten championship between Wisconsin and Penn State.
The Mountain West contest matching Wyoming and San Diego State goes at 7:45 p.m. on ESPN.
The day starts on ABC at noon with Navy against Temple in the American Conference finale, while ESPN has Conference USA action between Western Kentucky and Louisiana Tech.
FoxSports1 has Big 12 action between TCU and Kansas State at noon followed by Baylor-West Virginia at 3:30 p.m.
Fox brings Oklahoma against Oklahoma State at 12:30 p.m.
Georgia Southern faces Troy on ESPN2 at noon and Arkansas State takes on Texas State at 7:30 p.m.
Sunday, 80 college teams will officially find out their bowl destinations - with the top four going to Atlanta and Phoenix for a chance at the national title.
The Ravens host the Dolphins Sunday at 1 p.m. on CBS. Fox has the Eagles against the Bengals at 1 p.m. before the Redskins head to the desert to meet the Cardinals.
The Panthers visit Seattle Sunday on NBC, with Colts-Jets on ESPN Monday night.
ESPN brings the Cavaliers clashing with the Bulls Friday at 8 p.m. before the Rockets take on the Nuggets. The Wizards visit the Spurs Friday at 8:30 p.m. on Comcast.
On the college hardcourt, top-ranked Kentucky takes on UCLA Saturday at 12:30 p.m. on CBS.
ESPN brings Stanford-Kansas at 3:30 p.m. followed by Arizona against Gonzaga. Baylor battles Xavier on ESPN2 at 3:30 p.m. before Duke meets Maine.
North Carolina State faces Boston University on Comcast Saturday at 4:30 p.m. while MASN has Mount St. Marys against Loyola at 4 p.m. and Providence plays Rhode Island on MASN2 at 4:30 p.m.
Georgetown hosts Elon Sunday at 1:30 p.m. on FoxSports1 and Indiana takes on Southeast Missouri State on ESPN2 at 4 p.m.
On the women's court, Tennessee battles Baylor Sunday at 2 p.m. on ESPN2 and Texas takes on Connecticut on ESPN at 4 p.m.
Mississippi State meets Iowa State on MASN Saturday at 2 p.m.
The Capitals visit Tampa Bay Saturday at 7 p.m. on Comcast. The Flyers face the Blackhawks Saturday at 1 p.m. on Comcast.
On the college ice, Notre Dame visits Massachusetts Friday at 6 p.m. on MASN.
NBC Sports network has Manchester City against Chelsea Saturday at 7:25 a.m., followed by Tottenham Hotspur battling Swansea City. AFC Bournemouth faces Liverpool Sunday at 8:25 p.m. then it's Everton facing Manchester United.
Hit the slopes with Alpine Skiing Friday at 12:30 p.m. on NBC Sports network.
The AT&T swimming Winter National championships will be on NBC Sports network Saturday at 5:30 p.m.
The Sale Sharks meet the Exeter Chiefs in rugby Friday at 2:30 p.m. on NBC Sports network.

Unsung hero

Via Powerline, the story of an American POW who saved the Jewish soldiers imprisoned with him.