As we near the end of the year, President-elect Donald Trump’s cabinet has taken shape, and it’s impressive – a lineup of conservative powerhouses and D.C. outsiders who are poised to “take the establishment and shake it upside down,” as one GOP operative puts it.

I for one am looking forward to 2017 and the opportunities we conservatives have to make real progress for our country.  What do you think will be the Trump Administration’s biggest policy victory for the coming year? 

That’s the first question in our new Weekly Poll – the last poll of 2016.  I’ve enjoyed seeing the results of our polls each week throughout 2016, and I hope you’ll take part in this final one. 

To get anything done next year, President Trump will need the support of the grassroots citizens who put him in office.  What do you plan to do in 2017 to help show your support for President Trump’s conservative agenda? 

That’s the second question in our year-end Weekly Poll. 

Meanwhile, Hollywood’s attempts to sway the 2016 elections have been so effective, the stars (as they think of themselves) have decided to unleash another video, begging the Electoral College to subvert U.S. democracy and reverse President-elect Donald Trump’s Election Day victory. They just don’t get it, do they? 

The list of “celebrities” in the new ad includes J. Smith Cameron, Michael Urie, Steven Pasquale, Dominic Fumusa and Emily Tyra. If you’re familiar with these so-called “celebrities,” you’ve been paying more attention to something than I have. But nonetheless, they’re all deeply concerned by what they see as foreign influence over U.S. elections… and so they’ve aligned themselves with an organization with foreign ties. 

That’s the sort of hypocrisy we should expect at this point from the entertainment industry liberals (that, and the fact that all of these luminaries would probably oppose efforts to keep actual non-citizens from actually voting in U.S. elections). 

This video is pretty weak in terms of celebrity prowess – the big name is Martin Sheen, who liberals seem to think was actually President of the United States because he played the role on The West Wing. 

But this year Hillary and the Left brought out the worst of the worst. In 2016 we’ve had the displeasure of seeing Rosie O’Donnell and her self-pity (and her bullying of President Trump’s 10-year-old child); the arrogance of Jon Bon Jovi and Bruce Springsteen; Katy Perry and her immaturity; the vile antics of Lena Dunham; Madonna’s “war on women” who don’t vote the way she thinks they should; Beyonce’s anti-police hypocrisy; Leonardo DiCaprio and his environmental hypocrisy; and Barbra Streisand’s plan to undermine the Constitution. 

I’m sure I’ve left somebody out, but that’s a good start – who do you think is the most annoying liberal celebrity of 2016?  That’s the third question in our year-end Weekly Poll. 

We saw plenty of “fake news” this week – from claims that Obamacare added 20 million to America’s health insurance rolls, to allegations that Russia somehow decided the presidential election. 

And we’re learning more about the “fake news” story of a Muslim woman’s supposedly harrowing subway attack at the hands of Trump supporters – and what it reveals isn’t just the media’s eagerness to latch on to any story that confirms their bias, but also life for a young woman in an Islamic household. Don’t look for the media to give that angle much coverage. 

Have a great weekend – and I hope you and your family are having a wonderful Christmas season!

In case you missed Congressman Peter King last night on Fox News, here is what he said:   Canceled intel briefing on alleged Russian interference in US election is ‘disgraceful’. 

Nearly half of de Blasio’s Renewal schools did even worse this year...but,  as usual,  Mayor de Blasio is in denial. 

The National Review sounds off on Mayor de Blasio’s lawless data-destruction plan. 

Teen made up story about anti-Muslim attack on subway.  And her sister is making things worse…this case illustrates how the media exploits its agenda as it did in 1987 in the Tawana Brawley case.  Is case you doubt the left’s media agenda, read this.

Hillary’s “people” are now blaming Huma. 

This one article makes the case for changing the tax code.

Hmmmm, how could this happen?  Of course, the elections commissioner is surprised about too many votes in 37% of precincts!

Obama, just cannot let go!   ‘11th hour power grab’: Obama mandates state funding for Planned Parenthood.  

File this under “good news”:   Wheeler to step down as FCC chairman. 

And file this under “good news” also:  Loretta Lynch Admits Blanket Pardon For Dreamers Is Impossible.

Dennis Prager:  Just say Merry Christmas!

Thursday’s with GipperTen.com.  

Democrats will stick to denial even if it means burning down the Republic. 

Deroy Murdock explains (with a great sense of humor) how the KGB orchestrated Hillary Clinton’s defeat.  Send this to every democrat who really thinks the Russian’s influenced our election and maybe they will realize just how silly the Harry Reid and Nancy Pelosi theories are. 

Michael Goodwin’s latest gem is here.

Lie of the year:  Abortion clinics are safe.

Government Intervention in Housing Has Always Been Bad. Here’s Why Today Is No Different. 

Tom Price is right. 

E. J. McMahon writes about government leaning on the 1%. 

ACLU: Sight of cross on public tree inflicts ‘irreparable harm’, the question is would the ACLU represent me if I said the sight of a minaret inflicted irreparable harm to me?

John Fund gives us his take on What’s Behind Trump’s Move to the Right? 

Trump’s ‘Penny Plan’ Could Slash Federal Spending Over Decade. 

Why America Is an Exceptional Nation. 

In a last ditch effort to free their son, the parents of First Lieutenant Clint Lorance have created a video plea asking President Obama for a presidential pardon.  The heartbreaking four-minute video features Anna and Tracy Lorance explaining the character of their son and why he deserves to walk free.  Lieutenant Lorance was convicted of murder and sentenced to 20 years in prison for ordering his men engage three military aged males riding a motorcycle speeding towards his patrol in Kandahar, Afghanistan in July of 2012.

READ: Executive Summary U.S. vs Clint Lorance

Since his court martial, it has been revealed that the two men killed as a result of his orders both were biometrically linked to terrorism and IED attacks that killed U.S. troops.  Over the past eight years, President Obama has granted a record number of presidential pardons and commutations to hundreds of criminals, including those with drug and gun convictions.

READ: Clint Lorance’s Personal Letter to Pres. Obama

In fact, the White House boasts of the fact that Obama has commuted the sentences of more individuals in one year than in any other year in our country’s history.  Wouldn’t it be nice if—instead of pardoning or commuting the sentence of another criminal—President Obama could do the right thing and free this hero?

Wednesday’s with Walter E. Williams. 

NYC Councilmember Brad Lander got his bill passed, but, after seeing the results, would he consider repealing it?  Doubt that he would, despite realizing it was a bad idea.

Another bad idea is the fact that Governor Cuomo is thinking about hiking taxes and again breaking his 2010 campaign promise to not raise taxes. 

The Board of Regents wants even more of your money, $4.3Bincrease over the next three years.

Some legislators in New York use situations like this to push for euthanasia here by calling it “death with dignity.”   Perhaps those same legislators should read Kathryn Jean Lopez’s article in National Review. 

A love-hate relationship with ‘fake’ news.  (Don’t forget to vote in our weekly poll.)

It is a good thing there are only 37 days left in theObama Administration as he really is becoming delusional…Obama on the ‘Daily Show’: Voters should have cared more about Russia’s meddling in the election inferring that the real issues did not matter.

Key Questions About Russia’s Alleged Hacking of the US Election. 

The Daily Wire gives us 4 Reasons Russia Didn’t Swing The Election To Trump.   (BTW, there are many more.)

Office Of The Director Of National Intelligence: We’re Not Sure About The CIA’s Assessment On Russia. 

Did Obamacare Really Insure 20 Million?

Will New Yorker’s be penalized again by their high state, local income and property taxes? 

Tuesday’s with Thomas Sowell. 

Wow, Assemblyman Gjonaj, just won re-election and already he is telling his constituents that he would rather be in the NYC Council.  I guess to him, it really is all about the money. 

Governor Andrew Cuomo is playing Santa Clause with our money.

What is it with elected officials urging people to disregard their responsibility? 

Nicole Gelinas writes that De Blasio’s horse carriage ‘fake news’ is creating chaos. 

This is what happens when you have no idea what government’s role should be.  Seriously, Mayor de Blasio?  Tax dollars should be spent in keeping citizens safe, making sure transportation is safe and reliable, babies are not being scalded to death in city housing, students have what they need, being “stressed” over the election results is trivial in the light of real problems that tax dollars should be directed to. 

E. J. McMahon writes in Crain’s NY Business that Wage hike is silent jobs killer. 

The Auburnpub.com calls out Governor Cuomo’s hypocrisy!

Follow the money…, then deny that you do.  The Governor seems to have the same modus operandi. 

President Obama’s narcissism is even worse than we thought. 

One of These 21 Men and Women Will Be Trump’s First Supreme Court Pick. 

How Donald Trump Can Put an End to Sanctuary Cities. 

Dr. Stein. it is time to let go. 

Monday’s with Robert Knight.

“Fake News” – it’s the hottest catchphrase in America right now, the liberals’ diagnosis of all that is wrong with our nation. It boils down to this: Any commentary, news story or data that the left doesn’t like is “fake.” 

The Washington Free Beacon has an impressive overview of this new left-wing phenomenon and the absurdity of the liberals’ cry for honesty. 

And the left’s new crusaders against “fake news” couldn’t be more laughable: Barack Obama, Hillary Clinton and Harry Reid. 

Seriously. 

Obama even had the audacity to decry “fake news” to Rolling Stone magazine, a purveyor of one of the most outlandish and hurtful “fake news” stories in recent history. 

But Obama, Clinton et al are giving the liberal media a run for their money. 

Remember when Obama claimed he didn’t know about Hillary’s personal email or server? Fake. 

Did you hear Obama’s claim this week that he’s kept America safe from terrorism? Fake.

And then there’s Obama’s infamous claim that under Obamacare, “If you like your doctor, you can keep your doctor. If you like your health care plan, you can keep your health care plan.” Fake. 

Remember when Hillary claimed she landed in Bosnia under sniper fire? Fake.

How about when Hillary got the word out that she had turned over all of her emails… fake.

Remember when Team Hillary broke the news that the Benghazi attacks were caused by a YouTube video? Fake.

And who can forget in 2012, when Harry Reid spread the news story that Mitt Romney doesn’t pay taxes? Fake. (Good riddance to him, indeed.)

Other liberals are joining in the fun, too. Mayor de Blasio is jumping on the bandwagon about hate crimes skyrocketing in the wake of Donald Trump’s victory. You guessed it – fake. 

Which of these liberal fake news stories do you think is the most outrageous? That’s Question One in our new Weekly Poll. 

Of course, Hillary and the Democrats think they are the ones who should be able to determine what is “fake news” and what’s not. Hillary says, “It is a danger that must be addressed and addressed quickly.” Harry Reid says, “Much of the responsibility for separating what is real and what is fake will fall on Democrats.” 

Why do you think the Clinton/Obama liberals want to seize more control over the news coverage you are able to see?  That’s the second question in our new Weekly Poll. 

Of course, the media is complicit in all of this. They seem willing to surrender their freedom to the likes of Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama – and biased news outlets have relentlessly pushed the liberals’ fake news stories. 

At this point, which major news outlet do you find the LEAST trustworthy? 

I look forward to seeing people’s answers on this third and final question in our new Weekly Poll. 

Have a great weekend! 

Republican Lawsuit Forces NYC’s Hand on Identifications for Undocumented Immigrants.  Kudoes to Assemblywoman Nicole Malliotakis and Assemblyman Ron Castorina for making a strong case that  convinced Richmond County Supreme Court Justice Philip Minardo to order the city not follow through with longstanding plans to purge the files of municipal I.D. initiative.  Of course, Mayor de Blasio is fighting back. 

Judge Andrew P. Napolitanoopines in the Washington Times on Are sanctuary cities legal? 

Judges’ message to kids: It’s OK to cheat.

Each article, in its own way, sends the wrong message to the citizens of our great country, essentially it makes it possible for you to pick and choose what laws you want to obey.  The bleeding hearts in New York’s Appellate Division “ruled that, given her previous “unblemished record,” firing her for a “one-time mistake” actually “shocks our sense of fairness.”  Hmmm, if a driver never has any tickets in 30 years of driving, yet goes on a drinking binge one night and causes the death of an innocent person…should they be given a pass because it was a “one-time mistake.”  When did every thing become a “gray area,” things were much clearer when adults made decisions on the law…not on the excuses for not supporting the law.

Cheating on tests is unacceptable, protecting illegal immigrants is unacceptable and leaders that call for cities, towns, colleges, churches to become a sanctuary place are morally unacceptable. On November 8, Americans sent a clear message, we will no longer be silent when unacceptable things are encouraged by certain leaders and judges who fail to enforce federal laws.  After all, if they can pick and choose which laws to follow, so can every citizen. 

Monica Crowley opines on Donald Trump and getting the job done in the Washington Times. 

It isn’t only Bowe Bergdahl who is looking for a presidential pardon.  (Think of the message that would send should President Obama grant them…)

Top House Republican Proposes Aggressive Plan to Help Trump Fight Terrorism. 

Four democratic Senators want another bailout (this time a private pension)  and are determined to get it. 

The Heritage Foundation reintroduces us to Scott Pruitt, Mr. Trump’s choice to reign in the EPA.

This Judge gets it right!

Thursday’s with Gipperten.com

In 43 days we will no longer have to listen to the arrogant insulting remarks of Josh Earnest who has absolutely no concept of the sacrifices made by all our members of the Armed Services that have guaranteed his right to be an arrogant insulting White House Press Secretary.  

Earnest most likely would not even take the time to watch and appreciate this Fox News piece, nor would he understand why it is so moving.   December 7, 1941. 

The NY Post remembers.  The Washington Times shows respect.   Craig Shirley does the same in today’s Daily Signal. 

The Conservative Party offers profound respect and gratitude to all who have served throughout our history and to their families who have also sacrificed far too much.

Businessmen found Pentagon waste,  expect President-elect Trump to do his best to get rid of government waste as he promised and has he has made it clear he means to by doing this. 

As V-P elect Mike Pence says:  Buckle up for the first 100 days. 

We agree with Congress, Justice Clarence Thomas should be in the National Museum of African American History and Culture. 

President Obama is still using that executive pen…does he realize President-Elect Trump has an eraser? 

Eric Shawn reports: A plea to Trump to bring killers back from Cuba. 

Trump’s reported EPA head is good news for those of us that think the EPA is out of control. 

Guy Benson writes in Townhall.com:  Whoa: Liberals Mull Scheme to Temporarily Seize Control of Senate, Confirm Obama’s SCOTUS Nominee. 

A day late with Thomas Sowell’s column.

Wednesday’s with Walter E. Williams 

“Outspoken ex-Marine” – the New York Times’ description of General James “Mad Dog” Mattis, President-elect Trump’s nominee for Secretary of Defense, is music to my ears. 

“The president-elect could not choose a better man to be our next Secretary of Defense,” says Ralph Peters of Fox News. “I trust Jim Mattis because he’s a man of character, that most un-Washingtonian quality.”

There are many articles such as this one, from people close to the General, which echo that sentiment. 

Mattis is described as a “warrior monk” with a big library – and his colorful quotes are certainly worth a read. 

What do you like most about Gen. Mattis and his qualifications for Secretary of Defense? That’s the first question in our new Weekly Poll. 

And for the second question, let’s go back to those quotes I just mentioned: I’ve listed my favorites – which one do you like most? 

News of the Mattis nomination has made this a wonderful day for me, but of course Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand is trying to ruin it. 

Maybe a sign of things to come – do you think General Mattis and President Trump’s “team of outsiders” cabinet nominees will face difficulties getting confirmed by the Senate? That’s Poll question three for this week. 

Meanwhile in Washington, the Democrats have doubled down on failure by putting “clueless” Nancy Pelosi back in power – and with that, the Democratic Party may very well be on the verge of extinction.

And it’s now clear (as if it wasn’t already) that Chuck Schumer will violate any principle to toe the Democratic Party line.

Donald Trump hasn’t even taken office yet and he’s already delivering on his promises. 

And by the way, despite the media’s outrage, the President-elect is probably right when he talks about the impact of voter fraud. 

Here in New York, all signs point to more Cuomo Administration incompetence.  

And finally, this past week we said goodbye to a truly despicable human being. May the myth of Fidel Castro die with him. 

Have a great weekend!

The EPA,  created in 1970, has long been a federal agency overstepping its charter, but collecting information about employees sexual orientation is beyond comprehension especially when the EPA states that gender is “an evolving area.”  

David Keene opines on ‘A pack of sore losers.’ while the Daily Signal gives us their take on why Jill Stein is creating havoc with her expensive and grandiose delusions that numbers will change.

Meanwhile, some think Hillary is raising election doubts to ‘Keep Her Options Open’ for 2020.  (I’mmore inclined to believe she is raising doubts to keep those speaking fees from totally drying up.)  Ed Klein has his own interesting thoughts on why Hillary is involved with the recount. 

Artists’ Free Speech Rights at Stake in Washington Florist Case. 

Trump delivers one for workers. 

Why is this man even being considered as the new DNC Chairman?   Apparently, there is another choice.  Has the DNC looked at the results of this election?  Do they really think either of these candidates will bring the democrats home?  It is no wonder they lost and will continue to lose.

Was there any doubt that Nancy Pelosi would be re-elected minority leader?

Betsy McCaughey has an opinion piece on the looming replacement of Supreme Court Justice Scaliain the NY Sun and an interview on Fox Business News regarding Obamacare.  As we mentioned earlier this week, former Lt. Gov. McCaughey will be one of our CPPAC speakers in January at the Radisson Hotel in Albany.  The registration form is here. 

Millions in city taxes are wasted on unused public school spaces. 

California has really gone off the deep end with this idea. 

Wednesday’s with Walter E. Williams…a must read!