Today’s breaking news is that President Obama nominated Merrick Garland for the open seat due to the death of Justice Antonin Scalia.  President Obama’s moderate choice is currently the chief judge of the U. S. Court of Appeals for the D. C. Circuit. From the news reports, Judge Garland has been on President’s short list for 6 years, saving him, for when he might need someone palatable to Republicans. (His anti-gun position should make him not so palatable.)   NPR paints a rosy picture of Judge Garland and most would agree that he may someday make a good Supreme Court Justice.  He was confirmed by a 76-23 vote when then President Bill Clinton nominated him for the Appeals Court.  Ironically, Clinton nominated him in 1995 and he was not confirmed until 1997 — after the 1996 Presidential Elections.   He had to wait in 1995 and he should have to wait again.

Our US Senate Candidate, Wendy Long, responds to Judge Garland’s nomination here.

According to the Daily Signal, the Justice Department is perfectly okay with non-citizens voting in federal elections, or apparently any elections.

Hillary is very gaffe prone lately.  Could it be the pressure of the campaign?  If so, how will Hillary withstand the real pressures of being president?  We should all plan on letting her have a very long rest.

Former Lt. Gov. Betsy McCaughey has another good column in today’s NY Post on American hospitals and the plagues they refuse to face. 

Seldom do the NY Post and the NY Daily News have an editorial with the same position on the same day.  Today is one of those days, Federal Judge Nicholas Garaufis (A Bill Clinton appointee) did not make a mistake three years ago, he is making it now.

Wednesday’s with Walter E. Williams

Governor Cuomo should start listening to the other side of raising the minimum wage to $15.  The legislators in two local counties, St. Lawrence County and Oneida County have gone on record opposing the increase.  Governor Cuomo may be buoyed by the far left University of California -Berkeley economists saying the boost would improve some living standards, but not weighing the majority of studies that prove it hurts far more than improves, is a disservice to all that will be impacted by the final decision.  If two family members are earning the current minimum wage of $9.00 per hour and the wage is increased to $15 and one wage earner is laid off because the business cannot afford it, the family actually loses $3.00 an hour.  Is this what the Governor wants?  How does raising the minimum wage boost the living standards in this case?  New York is not the only state facing the radical left’s demand for a $15 minimum wage.

The democrat-controlled Assembly ignores what every locality has to abide by — the spending cap.  Instead of the 2% the Governor proposed – albeit through some financial maneuvering — Speaker Heastie and his colleagues proposed a 3.7% increase.  

Are educational leaders so out of touch with students that they do not realize the harm they are doing to them by bending the rules?

The Washington Examiner examines Hillary’s hubris.

Hillary was Secretary of State from 2009 to 2013, yet she stated Monday night at the Illinois Town Hall meeting that the U.S. “didn’t lose a single person” in Libya during her tenure as Secretary.  Did Hillary forget what happened in Benghazi, Libya on September 11, 2011?  The families of Ambassador Chris Stephens, Tyrone Woods, Glen Doherty and Sean Smith remember all too well the night their lives were shattered by the terrorist attack on our embassy.  They also remember what Hillary told them when they meet, yet Hillary says they are mistaken.   Hillary may choose to forget the stigma of September 11, 2011, but we will always remember how four Americans were left to die.  

Bill Lewis’ weekly column in the Queens Times Ledger is an interview of Chairman Mike Long.  Read the column here.

Peter S. Kalikow opines on the anti-democratic plot to steal the GOP nomination from Donald Trump.

Tuesday’s with Thomas Sowell.

Yesterday’s NY Post editorial began with this, “Attention, Gov. Cuomo: It’s time to rethink your “fight for $15,” and takes a look at the damage the $15 an hour is doing in Seattle.   AEI is considered a nonpartisan public policy research institute and you can read the cited report here.

The NY Post follows up on the press release we issued last week on Assemblyman Kaminsky’s proposal to raise the salaries of the legislative members.

The men and women serving in the NYPD are concerned that the dangers they face are greater, the job is more difficult and leadership does not have their backs, so says a new survey by the police union.  On a scale of 1-10, the average rating moral is just 2.94. 

The NY Post editorial board continues to look after the future of New York with this scathing editorial on the Board of Regents.  It begins with “The Board of Regents the ultimate policy-maker for all formal education in New York, from pre-K to post-grad — is back firmly under the thumb of the teachers unions and their allies, none of whom put kids, parents or education first.”  Read the rest of the editorial here.

This week the New York Times gets an “F” in economics with an absurd defense of Andrew Cuomo’s proposed $15 minimum wage. 

There are two studies out on the minimum wage – one that says the pay hike will create jobs and help the economy, and another that shows a devastating effect.

But it’s possible that the rosier study made a big miscalculation.

Meanwhile, as it becomes more likely that both parties’ presidential fights will run long, this week was a tale of two debates…

On the Democratic side, more lies from Hillary Clinton – even as she had the nerve to call the mother of a Benghazi victim a liar. 

Guy Benson provides a video keeping count of all the lies – and surprisingly, Hillary did face some tough questions about her emails in this week’s debate.
 
On the Republican side, the GOP circus continues – though everyone was playing nice with Donald Trump at Thursday night’s debate, while Trump himself adopted a softer tone. 
 
Ben Carson is playing very nice with Trump now, giving his endorsement just before the Florida primary. 

This week’s poll questions are about the debates – did any of the 2016 debates cause you to change your mind and give your support to a different candidate? What is the biggest issue you think should have been raised more in the Republican debates? What is the one issue you think should have been given more attention in the Democrat debates? 

Give your answers today in our new Weekly Poll!

As all the campaign drama unfolds, let’s not forget what the 2016 elections are all about…

We’ve got Obamacare to deal with: the program’s disastrous co-ops haven’t repaid $12 billion in taxpayer-funded loans they received, and enrollment numbers are falling short. 

There’s a “new-and-improved” axis of evil exploiting America’s Obama-Era weakness, and an emboldened (by Obama) Iran showing its muscle. 

And we’ve got a Supreme Court vacancy that could shape the judiciary and public policy for generations. 

There’s a lot at stake. I’m sure that you, like me, are praying for America. And I hope that you have a great weekend!

Today’s NY Post editorial gives kudos to the state Senate Republican majority’s plan to cut taxes for New Yorkers over a seven-year period.  For more details on the plan, click here. Here is hoping that the Assembly majority and Governor Cuomo listen to what they have to say and seriously consider the republican proposals, as they are listening to the overtaxed residents of New York State.

The New York City Council continues to have a deaf ear when it comes to curbing spending.  They just increased its operating budget by $3 million bringing it to $64 million.  Last year’s total budget was $148 M, no telling how much it will be when they finish it this year.

The members of the City Council have far too much time on their hands if this is what they worry about.  When did it become the responsibility of the City Council to monitor what I eat when I have the opportunity to go out to eat?  Councilwoman Barron: you worry about what you eat, I’ll worry about my family and myself.

Rod Watson, writing in the Buffalo News, apparently agrees that government is overstepping its authority in many different areas.

Here is another example of our government being out of control.  Seriously, civil action against people who do not agree with the government?  Were we all transported to Cuba in our sleep?

Former Lt. Gov. Betsy McCaughey opines that President Obama may hand over Guantanamo Bay to Raoul when he visits Cuba. 

Do you think President Obama has learned anything from the disastrous Iran Deal? 

Hillary Clinton how do you sleep at night?  This is the most despicable statement I have ever heard.   Why would they not remember exactly what you and others told them?  You really should hang your head in shame, but you have no concept of what shame is.   

Hillary refuses to answer indictment question at debate.  We now know why Hillary did not want to debate.

This is disturbing news:  “There’s an emerging pattern that as the intelligence reports move higher in the chain-of-command, they become more rose-colored with respect to the threat from radical Islamic terror, from ISIS,”  Read the rest of the article here.

Homeland Security Today.US has equally disturbing news here.

Mr. President, please explain this. 

The Hill is reporting that FBI Director, Jim Comey, is making waves — with Apple, the Black Lives Matter movement and with the investigation of Hillary’s private email server.  Director Comey has a reputation of being independent thereby earning the respect of those who do not have a blatantly political agenda.    Today, AG Loretta Lynch indicated that the law doesn’t require the Justice Department to pursue criminal charges against Hillary Clinton for her use of a private email system, even if the FBI recommends criminal charges. Read more on AG Lynch’s testimony at today’s Congressional hearing here.  The Republican National Committee filed two lawsuits today to obtain information not provided after filing a FOIL request.   Read more here.  Hillary continues to insist that there was no classified material on her personal server and she has done nothing wrong.  

NBC/WSJ matches each candidate — except for Kasich — against Hillary  (I’m just linking to the article, not offering an opinion nor vouching for its accuracy.)

Wednesday’s with Walter E. Williams.

Perhaps it was Solar Flares or pesky Gremlins who played havoc with the internet yesterday; needless to say, for whatever reason, we missed being able to post our Daily Update for Monday and will make up for it today.

In case you were unable to listen to Chairman Long on Effective Radio Sunday morning, you can hear him here. 

Our US Senate candidate, Wendy Long was on NY 1’s influential Inside City Hall with Errol Lewis.  You can watch it here.  Have you visited Wendy Long’s website yet?  If you google it — www.wendylong.com — it will help get the search results up in Google.  Also, you can friend her Facebook page, follow her on Twitter and Instagram.  No one candidate can win on their own — we need to be there for Wendy Long and defy the pundits by electing her to the US Senate. 

Governor Cuomo wants to mandate a 12 week paid family at 2/3rds of their salary leave on businesses.  Click here to find out what Chairman Long thinks of this mandate. 

One more video for you to watch —  Brooklynites weigh in on Trump wins. 

Rich Calder writes about the perks of donating to Mayor de Blasio.

New York’s new status as a “sanctuary” city means few illegal immigrants who break the law are being handed over to federal authorities for deportation.  Staten Island Assemblywoman Nicole Malliotakis, has joined several Republican legislators in pushing a bill in Albany to compel the city to comply with federal detention requests.  “It’s almost as if the City Council is more interested in protecting illegal immigrants than the safety of the very citizens they represent,” she told The Post. The city law is making the public less safe, a former senior Homeland Security source said.  Read the rest of the article here.

Mayor de Blasio lacks the wisdom of Solomon when he chooses to ignore the rights of privacy of non-transgendered people. 

The other side of abortion, the side the pro-abortionist lobby never want you to hear.

Jim DeMint:  Conservatives who run on conservative ideas win.

Tuesday’s with Thomas Sowell — Another Random Thoughts column, always a personal favorite of mine.

Rest in Peace, Nancy Reagan.

Some think that this week’s debate was Donald Trump’s worst yet – and others think that the big loser was America.

This week Mitt Romney came out swinging against Donald Trump – but is Romney really the guy Republicans should turn to for political advice? 

Investor’s Business Daily thinks the political establishment in D.C. has earned this upheaval – and they mean BOTH parties. 

John Podhoretz has a take on the slight possibility that Rubio and Cruz might be able to take down Trump – with “slight” being the most important word, as of right now. 

What’s your take on the Trump situation: Will you vote for him if he’s the nominee? Which of the remaining GOP candidates (if any) would you prefer instead of Donald Trump? And regardless of who wins the Republican nomination, would you consider supporting a third-party or “independent” candidate for the White House?  Those are the three questions I’m asking you to consider in our new Weekly Poll – I look forward to seeing the results! 

Whoever gets the GOP nod, they’ll be running against a woman who could have conceivably gotten a U.S. ambassador killed (and who’s apparently getting paid handsomely by her own campaign).

Did you hear reports this week about how much “undocumented” immigrants pay in taxes? Don’t believe it – the truth is that illegal aliens cost America plenty.

And if you’ve heard any of President Obama’s misleading claims about the Supreme Court nomination process, here is a nice history lesson.

In case you haven’t heard, Wendy Long announced her candidacy for the U. S. Senate.  You can watch her announcement here.  The Conservative Party is proud to endorse Mrs. Long (no relation to Chairman Long) on Saturday in Brooklyn, NY.. 

I will be on the “Effective Radio with Bill Samuels” show this Sunday at 11:00 AM to discuss term limits, corruption in Albany and a host of other issues. I hope you’ll tune in on AM970 – you can also use this link to listen live. 

Have a great weekend!

Jonathan Turley, not known for his conservative views, but considered fair, thinks Hillary’s situation is more precarious,  “DOJ does not give immunity without something valuable from a potential target like Bryan Pagliano.”  Read what he has to say here.

Here is Guy Benson’s take on the immunity for Pagliano.

The Daily Signal gives us five important exchanges made during yesterday’s Supreme Court hearing on Whole Woman’s Health v. Hellersted. 

Meanwhile, Congress continues to investigate the selling of aborted babies’ body parts.

Senator DeFranciso is being targeted for standing up for small businesses and taxpayers by the local unions.  What will they do when they see what Rob Astorino says here?

Supreme Court Chief Justice John Roberts makes another mind-boggling decision. 

Thirty-one percent of the government’s assets are student’s loans.  Oh dear, the Obama Administration has prevented good job creation to help students pay them off.  This is not good news for American taxpayers.

Super Tuesday is over and one family will remember the day, not because of politics, but because that was the day they buried Ashley Guindon.  The longest lines in Virginia led to the flag-covered coffin of a woman who served her country in the Marine Reserves, became a police officer and was killed on the first day she reported to work.  It certainly puts things into perspective.  Rest in Peace, Ashley Guindon.    

Another newspaper editorial board says the $15 an hour minimum wage not the answer to remedying New York’s income inequality.  Part of what they say is “We have no doubt that his heart is in the right place. Cuomo is a brawler who never shies away from a fight, a trait we admire. But in a state cleaved by the upstate-downstate divide that characterizes all policy discussions, the governor should take a serious look at exploring these alternatives before driving the state in the ditch with such a rushed policy.  Read the rest of the editorial here.

The NY Torch explains the unsavory roots of the minimum wage here.

The US Supreme Court heard the latest abortion regulation case today.  With Justice Scalia — a strong pro-life Justice no longer on the bench — there is no telling how the case will be settled, if it is settled.  Let’s not forget why Texas adopted the stricter regulations.  The Supreme Court must insure that there is never another Gosnell’s house of horrors.

AARP supports the Family Leave Act which doesn’t surprise us but does disappoint us.  Are they getting paid as much for supporting this as they did for supporting Obamacare?  Obamacare is still draining our economy and President Obama is still illegally diverting money to insurers.  AARP stop supporting costly government programs consumers cannot afford.

Wednesday’s with Walter E. Williams.

Joseph Spector writes in his column how the unions are playing a key role in Governor Cuomo’s push for a $15 minimum wage.  The fact that this is the third consecutive day an article covers this should let citizens know (as Marcellus said to Horatio said in Hamlet) “something is rotten in the state of Denmark.”

Seriously, Mr. Emery?  Your answer to the conflict you and your firm obviously have is, “So long as I remain Chair of the CCRB, my firm Emery, Celli, Brinckerhoff & Abady will not represent a client who filed a claim that was substantiated by the CCRB while I was Chair.”  There is only one way to resolve the conflict of interest:  resign from the Civilian Complaint Review Board.  Your past bias against police does not allow for an unbiased decision. 

The Daily Signal is reporting that the FBI vs Apple case is making Congress act on encryption.  Of course, if Congress decides, any information on the phone would certainly be dated and with this case being played out in the press, any people who may have conspired with Tashfeen Malik and Syed Rizwan Farook will be so far underground the information on the phone will not produce any results.  With that being said, the case does need to be resolved.  Here is the Magistrate’s decision on a similar case and some background information from Homeland Security New Wire.

All of Hillary’s email have been released — except for the ones deemed “top secret” on her personal unsecured server. 

Today is Super Tuesday — will this change the republican results?

How many main stream media sites reported that the charges against former Governor Rick Perry were dropped this week?  If he were a democrat, this would be front page news.

Tuesday’s with Thomas Sowell.

Monica Crowley opined last week on what President Nixon would have told President Obama on Cuba.  Part of what Ms. Crowley writes is “Instead of challenging the Castros, Mr. Obama is indulging them. His visit will cement the regime’s increasing oppression, grant it international legitimacy and demoralize victims of human rights violators everywhere.”  Read the rest of Ms. Crowley’s column here.

According to the Congressional Budget Office, 25% of discretionary spending is not authorized.  However, while the headline is attention grabbing, I cannot imagine that the FBI or the State Department would not be re-authorized.  What the article proves is that government is far too big and needs to be consolidated.

The minimum wage ends up hurting those it is supposed to help, if in doubt,  ask Oregon. 

Most of the focus on raising the minimum wage has been on the inability for private businesses to absorb the costs.  Government agencies will have the same problem, unable to absorb the increase costs, so taxpayers will need to come up with more money for all the agencies involved.  The disability service providers are currently in Albany, lobbying for an increase in their budgets to pay for the perceived increase.  If the minimum wage is increased, taxpayers will pay.  The other side of the coin is a problem also.  Since the minimum wage for fast food workers was increased by executive fiat, how do you keep responsible workers for the disabled?  Governor Cuomo opened a Pandora’s Box, with is executive fiat, and his obsession to increase the minimum wage in New York is detrimental to every New York citizen.  Cuomo’s obsession to increase the minimum wage seems to cloud his ethics as well as disregard what is best for New Yorkers. 

The NY Daily News opines that crime just keeps happening and wonders how much of the senseless crime is due to the mentally ill not being treated properly. 

Personally I think every citizen should vote and be proud to cast a vote, but this is NOT the way to get them to vote.

New York City schools have some good news for a change, but Mayor de Blasio is not on board to keeping the good news coming.