NATIONAL

“I want to believe the free trade rhetoric. I want to believe that any type of relaxation of the embargo would benefit the Cuban people. I really do. But I don’t, and here’s why.” – Sean Davis/The Federalist

“A University of Michigan department chairwoman has published an article titled, ‘It’s Okay To Hate Republicans,’ which will probably make all of her conservative students feel really comfortable and totally certain that they’re being graded fairly. ‘I hate Republicans,’ communications department chairwoman and professor Susan J. Douglas boldly declares in the opening of the piece.” – National Review

“I have had the following experience more than once: I am speaking with a professional academic who is a liberal. The subject of the underrepresentation of conservatives in academia comes up. My interlocutor admits that this is indeed a reality, but says the reason why conservatives are underrepresented in academia is because they don’t want to be there, or they’re just not smart enough to cut it. I say: ‘That’s interesting. For which other underrepresented groups do you think that’s true?’ An uncomfortable silence follows.” – The Week

“‘Reductio ad absurdum’ does not begin to characterize the utter silliness of liberals, whose governing dogma holds that everyone has a right to invent their own identity.” – Spengler/PJ Media

“I tell this story – I mean, even as the first lady – during that wonderfully publicized trip I took to Target, not highly disguised, the only person who came up to me in the store was a woman who asked me to help her take something off a shelf. Because she didn’t see me as the first lady, she saw me as someone who could help her. Those kinds of things happen in life. So it isn’t anything new.” – People

“The Obamas gave their People interview shortly before setting off for a 17-day vacation in Hawaii.” – IJ Review

“To no one’s great surprise, US security officials believe now that the government of North Korea masterminded the hack on Sony Pictures, a conclusion that’s more or less a consensus by now. The New York Times reports that the Obama administration has not yet decided whether to announce that conclusion, and indeed whether it’s fully supportable — and whether it would be worth it to do so in any case:” – Hot Air

“@SonyPictures don’t cave, fight: release @TheInterview free online globally. Ask viewers for voluntary $5 contribution to fight #Ebola.” – Mitt Romney/Twitter

“Republican Martha McSally has officially defeated Rep. Ron Barber, D-Ariz., after a protracted recount in the Tucson-based 2nd District reaffirmed her lead.” – Roll Call

“Alabama Senator Jeff Sessions is out as chair of the Senate Budget Committee. Sen. Jeff Sessions (R-Ala.) is giving up his bid to become the next Budget Committee chairman — deferring to Sen. Mike Enzi (R-Wyo.) and eliminating the only competitive chairmanship battle in the incoming GOP Senate majority.” – RedState

LOUISIANA

“Gov. Bobby Jindal on Wednesday defended his role as headline speaker at a prayer rally on Louisiana State University’s campus next month that has drawn the ire of protesters who say the group hosting the event promotes discrimination and an anti-gay agenda.” – Baton Rouge Advocate

“Though Baton Rouge Metro Council member Buddy Amoroso got in the game early, the field for the election for District 66 in the Louisiana House of Representatives is starting to fill out.” – NOLA.com

“With the support of Senator David Vitter (R-LA), Senator-elect Bill Cassidy (R-LA) and Senator Ted Cruz (R-TX), Former United States Senate candidate Col. Rob Maness (USAF, ret.) today announced the launch of GatorPAC, which will work to inspire and recruit conservative activists and citizen leaders who are committed to accountability in government, constitutional principles, certainty and prosperity.” – Dead Pelican

“The news of improved relations between the United States and Cuba brought a particular joy to Joe Morris Doss. Once an Episcopal priest in New Orleans, Doss had found himself strung between the broken relations of the two countries — and jailed for an act of war.” – NOLA.com

“With the business pages filled with headlines about expansions in petrochemical manufacturing, it is easy to miss the quieter revolution underway in Baton Rouge’s metropolitan economy.” – Lanny Keller/Baton Rouge Advocate

“Metro Council member Ryan Heck says he wants to change that. He’s floating the idea of asking voters to ‘undedicate’ certain taxes, allowing the city-parish to have more flexibility with how it spends its money.” – NOLA.com

“One of the state’s largest rice growers praised Wednesday’s announcement of a possible improved relationship between the United States and Cuba saying it would provide an economic boost across Louisiana.” – Monroe News-Star

“Officials with three coastal parishes in Southwest Louisiana and three Southeast Texas counties signed an agreement Wednesday to form the Chenier Plain Alliance. The partnership is intended to help protect the coastline in both states and possibly secure additional state and federal dollars for restoration projects.” – Lake Charles American Press

“Cole Avery, a journalist and Jonesboro native, has been named 5th District Congressman-elect Ralph Abraham’s communications director.” – Monroe News-Star

“Les Miles is faced once again of the prospect of players leaving early for the NFL draft, although this year’s group of LSU applicants is fewer than the past few seasons.” – WBRZ