WELCOME TO 2018

Last Friday, the day before a three-day weekend, we had the classic “document dump.” This time however the dump came from the Justice Dept. and it was several thousand emails from Huma Abedin to her then husband, former Congressman and now convicted sexual predator, Anthony Weiner. What a perfectly named individual, but I digress.

In these documents were several emails marked classified. Now remember, at no time were any classified materials supposed to be transmitted over any unsecure servers or computers to any individuals who did not have proper security clearance. Every bit of this activity was illegal and punishable by prison time.

James Comey, when learning of this activity, excused it with the explanation that Abedin probably wasn’t aware that her actions were illegal. Excuse me. Unaware? Are you kidding me? When I was a youngster of eighteen, I was given a security clearance by the Army in order to do my job as a radio operator who sent and received coded messages. I learned early on the meaning of that clearance and clearly knew of the possible punishment for any violations. If Hillary Clinton or her trusted aide Huma Abedin were so ignorant of the law, how in the world could they ever have been entrusted with US secrets? The entire mess stinks and should be put before a Grand Jury for indictment and arrest. We don’t have one set of laws for our citizens and another set for the political elite. Oh, and by the way, ignorance of the law is never an excuse or a defense.

Another little item caught my attention last week. The Democrats plan to attack the Republicans this year in an effort to win back control of the Congress. So far, so good. I expect that. But their plan to attack the Republicans is based on the economy and the tax reform package that was just passed into law. They plan to use that as fodder in their effort to woo voters to their side. What? They plan to attack Republicans based on a booming economy, a soaring stock market, and the lowest unemployment rate in decades? When people discover more money in their paychecks and consumer confidence at all-time highs? The Democrats seem to believe their strategy will work. I guess they have forgotten the words of one of the biggest loud-mouthed Democrats of all times, James Carville, who famously opined, “It’s the economy, stupid.” Carville was right then and he is right now.

I sincerely hope the Democrats follow through with their threat and pursue this line of campaigning. That will all but guarantee the Republicans even larger numbers in both the House and the Senate. Even with the non-mainstream media on board, they won’t be able to fool the vast majority of Americans. Money talks, period. As a very young man I was told that the quickest way to become a Republican was to get a wife, a job, and a mortgage. That’s when reality strikes. It sure did in my case.

And finally, I am amazed that there is a single American Jew who wouldn’t be a President Trump supporter. Israel has never had a better friend. Even lifelong Democrat, Harvard professor emeritus, Alan Dershowitz sings Trump’s praises. He clearly understands the value of Trump’s support for Israel and her objectives as well as his willingness to reign in Iran and her nuclear ambitions. Israel is even talking of naming a major train station in Jerusalem after Trump. The Democrats have never done anything for Israel. Remember that in the next election.

Welcome to 2018. It is going to be a great year.

Ron Scarbro