When you accept how intensely sensitive a visit to Pearl Harbor by the Japanese Prime Minister is… When you pause and think about the scope of trepidation that follows such a tenuously emotional diplomatic mission… It is proper to give credit where it is deserved.

President Obama and Prime Minister Shinzu Abe together delivered a moving, historic and stunning moment of thoughtful condolence.
Speaking to the gathered audience in Pearl Harbor Hawaii, Prime Minister Shinzu Abe delivered an eloquent and honorable tribute. The first six and a half minutes of his speech below is remarkable in its historic value. (more…)

NEW YORK – The NYPD and FDNY rushed to Trump Tower Tuesday, where the building was being evacuated on a report of a suspicious package in the atrium, sources said.
“We’re staging and units and are standing by,” an FDNY spokesman said, referring further questions to the Secret Service.  […]  The incident unfolded shortly before 4:30 p.m. as surrounding streets were packed with holiday crowds. (link)
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An interesting and thought provoking op-ed in The Hill outlines the issues, and asks the question.  The author, David Weisberg, concludes by saying yes, President Obama will likely pardon Hillary Clinton prior to leaving the White House.
(Via The Hill) […] We should first note that the Obama administration’s decision not to prosecute Mrs. Clinton would not bind the Trump administration. Until relevant statutes of limitations have expired, she could still be prosecuted by the new administration. It is possible in my opinion for Clinton to be prosecuted for either her improper handling of classified information on “home brew,” or allegations of “pay to play” arrangements between the secretary of state and donors to the Clinton Foundation, which could constitute bribery.
The statute of limitations for most federal crimes is five years from the commission of the offense; that would apply to the two categories relevant to Mrs. Clinton. Her tenure as secretary of state ended Feb. 1, 2013, so it is possible that the statute of limitations will not run until Feb. 1, 2018, more than a year after Mr. Trump takes office.
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Sean Spicer, a native of Barrington Rhode Island, sits down with local Eyewitness News reporter Kim Kalunian to discuss his new position, how he entered into politics, and what President-elect Donald Trump is like in person.

The biggest story the media will skip during their annual recap of 2016 will be any admission of how their profession collapsed under the weight of their unbridled bias.
Donald Trump, almost single-handedly, tore down the corporate curtain and revealed to the entire world just how absurd the media’s Potemkin village actually was.  However, learning absolutely nothing, the MSM response so far has been even more insufferable.
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Mad masonry skills on display here:

Laying slabs like a boss. pic.twitter.com/j6yvVTzvWp

— Work Safety Fails (@FailsWork) December 24, 2016

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Here’s the secret to the second stage. (more…)

Smart pick.  Tom Bossert brings a 21st century cybersecurity profile to Trump’s inner National Security team.  Bossert has deep knowledge of cybersecurity from both a Homeland Defense (infrastructure), and a counterterrorism perspective…
(Palm Beach, FL) – President-elect Donald J. Trump today announced his selection of Thomas P. Bossert to serve as Assistant to the President for Homeland Security and Counterterrorism. In this position, Mr. Bossert will advise the President on issues related to homeland security, counterterrorism, and cybersecurity, and coordinate the Cabinet’s process for formulating and executing policy in these matters.

The role, performed by a deputy national security advisor in the previous Administration, is being elevated and restored to its independent status alongside the National Security Advisor, a decision that reflects the unwavering commitment President-elect Trump has to the safety and security of the Nation, its people and territory.
Mr. Bossert will focus on domestic and transnational security priorities as General Michael Flynn remains steadfastly focused on international security challenges.
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In an effort to keep the Daily Open Thread a little more open topic we are going to start a new daily thread for “2016 Presidential Politics”. Please use this thread to post anything relating to the Trump/Pence presidential victory.

Transition Website HERE

This thread will refresh daily and appear above the Open Discussion Thread.

Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy Name. Thy kingdom come. THY WILL BE DONE, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation, but DELIVER US FROM EVIL.
For Thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory, forever and ever. Amen †

There were numerous incidents throughout the U.S. today as police responded to fights, shooting, looting, bloodshed and general mayhem in multiple States.

The mall issues and/or violence was reported in: Manchester Connecticut, Beachwood Ohio, Monroeville Pennsylvania, Aurora Colorado, Fayetteville North Carolina, Elizabeth New Jersey and Aurora Illinois…
Various terms like “youth“, “kids“, “teens” and/or “students” appear amid the general media reports which accompany each story.  However, beyond the words there appears to be something the PC media are trying to avoid.  Something transparently obvious to those who are looking at each story.
Something’s missing.  Perhaps they all have something in common.
Let’s see:
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(Via Fox News Broadcast) Israel’s government publicly accused the Obama administration Sunday of helping create and push the recently passed United Nations resolution condemning settlement activity, with a top official telling Fox News they have “ironclad information” on the U.S. government’s involvement.

“We have rather ironclad information from sources in both the Arab world and internationally that this was a deliberate push by the United States and in fact they helped create the resolution in the first place”.
~ David Keyes, spokesman for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu (link)

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