NATIONAL

“Erick Erickson—the editor in chief of RedState.com, a right-wing pundit whom Democrats loathe and Republicans fear, a man known for his intemperate remarks, and arguably the most powerful conservative in America today—eats his chicken wings with a fork and knife.” – The Atlantic

“As they resumed the search for the missing AirAsia plane Monday morning, Indonesian authorities said they believe the commercial jet with 162 people on board already lies at the bottom of the sea.” – Washington Post

“Earlier this year, 47 inspectors general — the officials charged with fighting corruption, waste, and wrongdoing in federal agencies — sent a letter to Issa’s committee complaining that organizations ranging from the EPA to the Justice Department were impeding their investigations by withholding information — despite the fact that federal law specifically forbids withholding that information.” – Kevin Williamson/National Review

“‘Everything is awesome,’ stated the headline of a recent Politico piece by Michael Grunwald which goes on to list many economic statistics showing how well things are going in the U.S.” – American Thinker

Read more: http://www.americanthinker.com/articles/2014/12/an_awesome_economy_not_even_close.html#ixzz3NJ9Zjeuh
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“There has been quite a bit of commentary – not to say, ‘gloating’ – about the Democrats’ rather problematical 2016 prospects. To wit: their front-runners are all old (late sixties to early seventies), all have baggage, and all distinctly lacking in any sort of executive experience whatsoever.” – RedState

““I haven’t seen American Sniper, but correct me if I’m wrong: An occupier mows down faceless Iraqis but the real victim is his anguished soul,” Blumenthal wrote smugly on his Twitter account. “[T]he whole film’s appeal seems to derive from the latent racism that led America into Iraq.” – Hot Air

“Former New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani compared President Obama’s rhetoric on race to politicians criticizing the mob if they’ve hung out with mafia bosses.” – PJ Media

“With cops on edge following the assassination of two patrol officers on a Brooklyn street, many officers have started turning a blind eye to some minor crimes, sources told The Post, while a union mandate that two patrol cars respond to all police calls has led to slower response times to non-emergencies.” – NY Post

“But Nicholas Kristof had one of his ‘Take the Mask Off Moments‘ when the radical left shows how ugly and unhinged it really is despite its facade of dinner parties and book clubs and that its media outlets promote violence.” – Daniel Greenfield/Front Page Mag

“Just as millions of people are gaining insurance through Medicaid, the program is poised to make deep cuts in payments to many doctors, prompting some physicians and consumer advocates to warn that the reductions could make it more difficult for Medicaid patients to obtain care.” – NY Times

LOUISIANA

“In the interview, Cassidy, who defeated incumbent Democrat Mary Landrieu by a 56 percent to 44 percent margin in the Dec. 6 runoff, said he rejects the analysis of most pundits who credited his victory to Republicans who ran a campaign based more on national issues, rather than local ones.” – NOLA.com

“Villere tells LaPolitics that the 2015 statewide and legislative races will be his swan song. ‘About a year and a half or so,’ Villere said. ‘I’m done after that.'” – LAPolitics.com

“The state Department of Transportation and Development failed to win federal approval for change orders on more than $1 million in projects, which could endanger future federal aid, Legislative Auditor Daryl Purpera said Monday.” – Baton Rouge Advocate

“LSU President and Chancellor F. King Alexander urged his fellow collegiate leaders to welcome a federal higher education ratings system in an opinion piece for The Chronicle of Higher Education earlier this month.” – NOLA.com

“At an eye-popping price tag of $2.7 billion every year, a new report says the country could meet the national goal of reducing the dead zone in the Gulf of Mexico.” – Lake Charles American Press

“A new political party could be on the horizon for Louisiana. With the dawn of 2015, there no longer will be a legal ban on establishment of the independent party. There’s enough self-identified ‘independents’ on Louisiana voter rolls to meet registration requirements for party status.” – Baton Rouge Advocate

“The Louisiana Association of Business and Industry is expected to achieve ‘big PAC’ status by the end of the year for its four political action committees, which will allow the group to double the amount of money it gives to candidates.” – LAPolitics.com

” If it’s not too windy for a first flight, too foggy to see or so rainy that it would drench biologists’ baggy ‘crane costumes,’ and there aren’t too many aggressive adults in the neighborhood, 14 young endangered whooping cranes will be released today into a Southwest Louisiana marsh.” – Lake Charles American Press

“State Sen. Jack Donahue, a pro-Common Core supporter from Mandeville, has asked to be removed from the Senate Education Committee in 2015. And two other Common Core supporters will be gone from the Louisiana House Education Committee when the session opens in the spring.” – NOLA.com

“Maybe the answer is simple. Maybe it was the Kool-Aid. Maybe the problem is that the New Orleans Saints sat around chugging cups of the sugary drink while reading news clipping about how great they were during training camp and the preseason.” – Baton Rouge Advocate