NEWS AND OPINION:
There’s a noble tribute of note on Tuesday for hero humans and hero dogs, just a block from the U.S. Capitol. The famous, powerful and political will gather to celebrate K9s for Warriors, a nonprofit that pairs rescue dogs with military veterans who must deal with post-traumatic stress and traumatic brain injury. Among those attending: vets and their canine partners, including Retired USMC Captain Jason Haag and Axel, a splendid German Shepherd; Republican Reps. Gus Bilirakis, Mike Coffman, Ryan Zinke and Martha McSally; CBS chief White House correspondent Major Garrett, the inimitable Irish tenor Anthony Kearns and retired USAF Brigadier General Steve Ritchie, an ace fighter pilot who flew 800 combat hours and 339 missions in the Vietnam War.
This convivial gathering at a historic club also features a bourbon tasting — we’re talking Makers Mark here — plus an assortment of “fabulous” American beers and wines, a spokesman advises. Mr. Kearns will sing “O’ America,” a tune that includes such lyrics as “O, America you’re calling, I can hear you calling me; You are calling me to be true to thee, true to thee I will be.”
And about those pups. They are noble service dogs carefully trained to help with recovery and provide steadfast companionship to their vet partners — and 95 percent are rescue or shelter dogs. “We rescue the dogs, they rescue the warriors,” notes the group, which has paired up 160 warrior-canine teams so far. The program itself brings the vets to train with their dog in Florida for three weeks, complete with free accommodations and meals. A wish list is particularly compelling: donations cover such things as service dog vests and hands-free leashes, dog bowls and toys, welcome boxes plus new bedding for arriving warriors. Find them here: K9sforWarriors.org
CONSERVATIVES: STAY OFF ABC
More on evolving George-gate. Media Research Center founder Brent Bozell is vexed indeed with ABC News, and a certain Sunday talk show moderator.
“ABC’s refusal to pull George Stephanopoulos off of all 2016 coverage makes it crystal clear that ABC has no intentions of being an objective news outlet. Therefore, unless George Stephanopoulos recuses himself from all 2016 election coverage — or unless ABC pulls him from covering the 2016 campaign — conservatives should avoid going on any ABC shows,” Mr. Bozell declares.
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“ABC has made it clear that they will not hold its anchors accountable for unethical and dishonest journalistic behavior and it should not expect conservatives to subject themselves to coercive interviews by former Clinton campaign operatives masquerading as objective journalists. In a recent survey, ABC News was dead last in the ’trust’ factor. Only 7 percent of the public trusts ABC News. This kind of behavior explains why,” he concludes.
TWEETING PRESIDENTS
“Welcome to @Twitter, @POTUS! One question: Does that username stay with the office? #askingforafriend”
— Former President Bill Clinton in a tweet to President Obama, who activated the @POTUS Twitter account on Monday. POTUS, for the uninitiated, stands for President of the United States.
“Good question, @billclinton. The handle comes with the house. Know anyone interested in @FLOTUS?”
— And that’s Mr. Obama’s tweeted reply. FLOTUS, for the uninitiated, stands for first lady of the United States.
SEE ALSO: Chris Christie says Patriot Act not abused and needs extension
OK, now here we go. If Hillary Rodham Clinton actually wins the White House in 2016, that would make Mr. Clinton the first gentleman of the United States, which works out to be @FGOTUS.
CHRISTIE RECALLS REAGAN
He must be back in touch with his fierce New Jersey side, with an eye on 2016. Gov. Chris Christie offered an aggressive policy speech during a campaign stop in New Hampshire on Monday that brought him much curious press, leaving journalists dithering over the governor’s unapologetic support of the NSA, intelligence gathering, a well-funded military and reliable international allies.
“But there’s one more thing we need to do. We need to banish cynicism. Today there are plenty of voices that say that America’s time as a global leader has passed. We can’t change the world. We shouldn’t change the world. The challenges we face are too great — and our power too small. That might be true of an ordinary nation. But that’s not us,” Mr. Christie told his audience.
“President Reagan once said that ’above all, we must realize that no arsenal or no weapon in the arsenals of the world is so formidable as the will and moral courage of free men and women. It is a weapon our adversaries in today’s world do not have. It is a weapon that we as Americans do have.’ He was right. And that will and courage will lead us forward,” the governor concluded.
SCOTT SHARPENS FOCUS
Fact finding on a delicate, important subject: The Senate Judiciary Subcommittee on Crime and Terrorism will hold a hearing Tuesday titled “Body Cameras: Can Technology Increase Protection for Law Enforcement Officers and the Public?” Sen. Tim Scott was the organizer here; his fellow South Carolina Republican and committee chairman Sen. Lindsey Graham quickly agreed to Mr. Scott’s suggestion that a hearing was in order.
“I appreciate Tim pushing this issue forward,” Mr. Graham says.
“I believe that body-worn cameras will keep both law enforcement officers and citizens safer, while providing invaluable evidence for potential investigations. I look forward to continuing our efforts to find the best path forward on this issue at the hearing,” Mr. Scott observes.
Incredibly, C-SPAN3 will cover this hearing at 2:30 p.m. ET.
THE CIA REALITY
On Monday, the Central Intelligence Agency honored those who died in the line of duty. Hundreds of employees, family members and retirees gathered before the agency’s Memorial Wall — which bears only stars, not names, in keeping with the clandestine calling of the mission. Two stars were added this year, bringing the total to 113 stars on the wall, established at CIA headquarters in Virginia just over four decades ago.
“For as long as this agency endures, we will never shy away from the risks that must be taken to protect America and to further freedom’s cause. We pay tribute to our heroes who accepted those risks and placed themselves in harm’s way, expecting neither praise nor fame in return,” CIA director John O. Brennan told those assembled.
POLL DU JOUR
• 43 percent of Americans say Republicans are not ready “to nominate a black person” for president; 24 percent of Republicans, 38 percent of independents and 65 percent of Democrats agree.
• 33 percent overall say Republicans are ready to nominate a black person; 53 percent of Republicans, 39 percent of independents and 14 percent of Democrats agree.
• 24 percent overall are not sure; 23 percent of Republicans, 24 percent of independents and 21 percent of Democrats agree.
• 41 percent overall say Republicans are not ready “to nominate a woman” for president; 27 percent of Republicans, 37 percent of independents and 58 percent of Democrats agree.
• 40 percent overall say Republicans are ready to nominate a woman; 59 percent of Republicans, 43 percent of independents and 23 percent of Democrats agree.
• 19 percent overall are not sure; 14 percent of Republicans, 20 percent of independents and 19 percent of Democrats agree.
Source: An Economist/YouGov poll of 997 U.S. adults conducted May 9-11.
• Doggerel and caterwaul to jharper@washingtontimes.com.
• Jennifer Harper can be reached at jharper@washingtontimes.com.
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