BloggeRhythms

An article this morning on FoxNews.com presents one of the clearest examples of political maneuvering seen in quite some time. 

“Iran state TV announced Saturday the release of four dual-nationality prisoners without revealing names.

“The British Broadcasting Corp. reports those freed are Washington Post reporter Jason Rezaian and three Iranian Americans. American pastor Saeed Abedini is also among those being released.” 

What isn’t surprising in the least, is that: “The announcement comes as Iran and the international community are expected Saturday to complete a deal in which Tehran verifies the curtailment of its efforts to build a nuclear weapon in exchange for getting back $100 billions in frozen assets.” 

Therefore, the release is worth approximately $25 billion per prisoner, which even Iranians are able to figure out. However, over the next few weeks they’ll likely get back to taunting the U.S. and every other nation as usual. Right after the checks clear.  

As far as bucks are concerned, according to bbc.com: “The sanctions have cost Iran more than more than $160bn (£102bn) in oil revenue since 2012 alone. Once they are lifted, the country will be able to resume selling oil on international markets and using the global financial system for trade. Iran has the fourth largest oil reserves in the world and the energy industry is braced for lower prices. Iran will also be able to access more than $100bn in assets frozen overseas.” 

So, once again this backward nation in the middle of nowhere has fleeced the POTUS and his sidekicks out of their Jockey shorts. Which brings up the thought that it must be confusing to live one’s life dumber than a brick regarding negotiating practically anything, and then wake up one morning to find out that you’ve been elected POTUS.  

At the same time a friend sent an email this morning: “As a brief reminder for those who forgot or for many that didn't know 

“Here is what happened, quietly, on January 1, 2016: 

Medicare tax went from 1.45% to 2.35%
Top Income tax bracket went from 35% to 39.6%
Top Income payroll tax went from 37.4% to 52.2%
Capital Gains tax went from 15% to 28%
Dividend tax went from 15% to 39.6%
Estate tax went from 0% to 55%
A 3.5% Real Estate transaction tax was added. 

“Remember these facts: 

“These taxes were all passed solely with Democrat votes.

“Not a single Republican voted for these new taxes.

”These taxes were all passed in the Affordable Care Act, aka Obamacare.”

My friend added: “If you think that it is important that everyone in the U.S. should know this. There are many millions who don't yet, pass it on.” 

Bringing us to today’s update on Bill Clinton’s wife 

The AP’s Lisa Lerner via Yahoo.com and Drudge, writes: “Bill Clinton promised voters in 1992 that they'd be getting "two for the price of one" if they elected him to the White House — a presidential duo of the young Arkansas governor and his Yale Law-educated wife. 

“Nearly a quarter century later, the duo is back — but not quite the same. “

The article then goes on to explain how Bill’s being used very carefully by his wife’s handlers because they fear questions regarding his sordid personal life. Further compounded by his wife’s continually being complicit, to protect her own political aspirations and wealth.

While the article itself is actually drivel, and not worth reading, the comments following the piece offer a clear indication of what significant numbers of readers think. 

Scanning the 2190 comments from readers so far, most are similar to the one from whitfang, who wrote: 

“This a quote from Hillary on her accomplishments: "My accomplishments as Secretary of State? Well, I'm glad you asked. My proudest accomplishment in which I take the most pride, mostly because of the opposition it faced early on, you know. The remnants of prior situations and mindsets that were too narrowly focused in a manner whereby they may have overlooked the bigger picture and we didn't do that. Very proud. I would say that's a major accomplishment. 

“Now you explain to me what Hillary's accomplishments are, please.” 

However, in this case Bill’s wife’s response is certainly appropriate. Because , if you’ve done nothing in your life, other than marrying a future POTUS, what else can you offer aside from double-talk?

And then, an article at washingtonexaminer.com, reports that: “On Sunday night, in the middle of this three-day weekend and shortly after the Steelers-Broncos playoff game, the three remaining Democratic candidates for president will hold another debate. 

“If you ask the progressive supporters of Bernie Sanders, there is a sinister reason behind the decision by Democratic Party officials to hold relatively few debates and to schedule them in out-of-the-way time slots when few Americans are likely to watch. It all seems designed to help Hillary Clinton win the nomination without too much trouble.” 

Yet, despite all the planning to protect Bill’s wife, the strategy seems to be backfiring, as follows: 

“The irony appears to be that it really is in Democrats' best interest to give Clinton more facetime in debates and to get those debates out in front of as many Democratic voters as possible. She has performed relatively well in the debates so far, and Sanders has done rather poorly. To be specific, he has shown no spine or willingness to attack any of her weak points seriously. Even Lincoln Chafee, when he was still in the race, put him to shame in this respect.” 

So, once again, when it comes to running for the presidency, she winds up a day late and a dollar short when it comes to strategic planning. But, if nothing else she’s surely consistent, whereas she seems to come out on the losing end of everything she touches. Except for when she’s extorting sucker’s money. 

Which brings up the ongoing question: Joe Biden, Mayor Bloomberg, Jerry Brown, and Starbuck’s chairman and CEO, Howard Schultz, are you guys reading this? 

That’s it for today folks.    

Adios