SAR #16155

Nature favors the paranoid.

Confession: Prospective First Man Mr. Hillary Clinton says that “white, non-college-educated Americans‘ need to be brought along to the future.” Which rather admits that eight years with a Democrat in the White House hasn't done them any good. Which is somehow supposed to instantly convince them, and us, to vote for another Democrat.

On Choices: “If the only way to escape a trap is to gnaw off my leg, I’d like to think I’d have the guts to do it.”

Me Too: It's hard to tell which is worse, Facebook listening to you whenever you talk anywhere near your cellphone or Google recording and keeping your conversations for years, along with a record of every website you've ever visitied. Silly you, you thought the NSA was bad – all they can do is throw you in jail, where you can presumably escape Facebook and Google.

Noted: “ To the media’s great shock and to the pundits’ great shock, there are millions of Americans who are very, very angry. And they’re angry because they’re working longer hours for lower wages. They’re angry because they’re working two and three jobs. They’re worried about the future of their children – getting decent jobs and getting homes. And then they look at the leadership of the Democratic Party and the leadership of the Republican Party and they don’t see people addressing – or even paying attention to – their needs. And Trump comes along and starts to blame Mexicans or Muslims or women for the problems facing society. The people are seeing that someone at least is speaking to their anger. And that’s unfortunate. That’s a very ugly approach. But that’s why he’s succeeding.” Bernie Sanders.

Miss Manners: The Pentagon insists that when US Special Forces killed seven civilians, including two pregnant women, during a nightime raid in Afghanistan they were “following the rules of engagement” which clearly state that shooting pregnant women and other innocents is acceptable because we're Americans and they aren't.

Universal Suffering: In Ohio, if you haven't voted recently, you can't vote. In Kansas a new voter must produce proof of citizenship in order to register. This is designed to disenfranchise the young by putting unnecessary hurdles in the way. Both states are under Republican control, and the Republicans intend to keep it that way.

Casey Jones: May's US railroad freight was down 6.8% y/y, which casts doubt on economists' claims that everything is coming up rosy. American ports report a continuing slowdown in container freight. So who you going to believe, the boosters or those who make their living hauling stuff around?

Multiple Choice: By avoiding press conferences – she's not held one in 2016 - Ms. Clinton is “playing to her strengths.” Her strength is: (1) Hiding from the press. (2) Hiding from the voters. (3) All of the above.

Porn O'Graph: Do it yourself...

A Parting Shot: