Palin rips Michael Moore, PETA at Iowa summit

DES MOINES, Iowa –  Sarah Palin had choice words Saturday for director Michael Moore following his criticism of the movie “American Sniper” and its subject, the late Navy SEAL Chris Kyle.
At the Iowa Freedom Summit, a gathering of high-profile conservatives in Des Moines, she said the director deserved the backlash he got.
The former Alaska governor recently posed for a photo with Medal of Honor recipient Dakota Meyer who held up a sign that read, “F--- you Michael Moore.” Palin, chuckling, told the Iowa audience that “what the poster said is what the rest of us are thinking.”
The sign was in response to a tweet in which Moore called snipers cowards: “My uncle killed by sniper in WW2. We were taught snipers were cowards. “
Since then, Moore clarified his comments on his Facebook page and said his comment was in reference to snipers, but that he was not specifically commenting on the film “American Sniper.”
Palin also took PETA to task for recent criticism against her for posting a picture of her son stepping on the family’s dog to reach the kitchen sink.
“The usual suspects, they just went loco,” Palin said. “Barking their tired old death threats against us. And I’m thinking, get in line!”
She referred to the organization as “a bunch of weasels” and joked that at least her son Trig did not eat the family dog.

Japan PM left 'speechless' after video claims hostage dead

Japan's prime minister said Sunday he was "speechless" after an online video purportedly showed an Islamic State militant killing one of the two Japanese hostages.
Shinzo Abe told Japanese broadcaster NHK the government is still reviewing the video, but it was likely authentic. Abe offered his condolences to the family and friends of 42-year-old Haruna Yukawa, who was taken hostage in Syria last year.
Abe did not comment about the message in the latest video that demanded a prisoner exchange for the other hostage, journalist Kenji Goto.
"I am left speechless," he said, stressing he wants Goto released unharmed. "We strongly and totally criticize such acts."
Yukawa's father, Shoichi, said he hoped "deep in his heart" that the news of his son's killing was not true.
"If I am ever reunited with him, I just want to give him a big hug," he told a small group of journalists invited into his house.
President Obama condemned the "brutal murder." He said in a statement that the United States stands by Japan and calling for Goto's release.
The U.S. National Security Council said it has seen the video and that the intelligence community is working to confirm its authenticity.
“The United States strongly condemns (Islamic State’s) actions, and we call for the immediate release of all the remaining hostages,” said agency spokesman Patrick Ventrell.
The CIA also has confirmed it is aware of the video and is reviewing it.
The video message claims one hostage has been killed and demands a prisoner exchange for the other.
The Associated Press could not verify the contents of the message, which varied greatly from previous videos released by Islamic State, which now holds a third of both Syria and Iraq.
Japanese government spokesman Yoshihide Suga said the audio was still being studied, but there was no reason to deny the authenticity of the video.
One militant on the Islamic State-affiliated website warned that Saturday's new message was fake, while another said that the message was intended only to go to the Japanese journalist's family.
A third militant on the website noted that the video was not issued by al-Furqan, which is one of the media arms of the Islamic State group and has issued past videos involving hostages and beheadings. Saturday's message did not bear al-Furqan's logo.
The militants on the website post comments using pseudonyms, so their identities could not be independently confirmed by the AP. However, their confusion over the video matched that of Japanese officials and outside observers.

NFL Cartoon

Fool of the Week: Seth Rogen

What a week. So many nominees to choose from! 
The resounding winner, however, is Seth Rogen.
Last weekend Rogen compared the film “American Sniper” and it’s hero Chris Kyle to… wait for it… Nazi propaganda.
Rogen apologized earlier in the week…
Look. You screwed up. We all do. You said you were sorry.  You should have left it there, Seth.
Move on, right?
Wrong!!
This week, Rogen doubled down, suggesting that people took his attack on “American sniper” the wrong way. Because, after all, his grandfather was in the military.
That’s a lame-assed excuse, brother.
Don’t you know, Seth, you never ruin an apology with an excuse
It gives the impression that you’re not really sorry, that you’re just a poor, ol’ misunderstood Hollywood celebrity.
Seth Rogen: For doubling down on your bad comparison of an American hero to a genocidal maniac, you have earned the “Fool of the Week” title.

Kentucky counties make unprecedented push for right-to-work laws

Local governments in Kentucky are taking matters into their own hands in a bid to battle union influence and, they say, make their communities more business-friendly. 
Kentucky is one of the last states in the South that does not have a so-called right-to-work law, which bar unions from forcing workers to pay dues. But surrounding states like Tennessee do -- and counties along Kentucky’s southern border say they're tired of losing jobs to other southern states. 
So, in an unprecedented step, county leaders are passing their own right-to-work laws, even as the Democrat-controlled House of Representatives in the state capital refuses to consider one. 
"We are not growing as fast as Tennessee. We're not growing as fast as Indiana, Michigan,” Warren County Judge-Executive Mike Buchanon said. "This actually puts us on a level playing field. It enables us to compete with other states."
In the last month, five counties have approved ordinances limiting unions – becoming the first counties in the nation to do so. And several more Kentucky counties are expected to follow suit in the next month. 
Unions, though, are fighting back. They have filed lawsuits against the counties, claiming they're only interested in bashing unions -- not boosting local economies. 
"If you just go after those companies that are paying the lowest wages, you're not going to benefit in the long run because they can always find cheaper wages somewhere," said Eldon Renaud, president of the local UAW in Bowling Green, where the Corvette plant operates.
When businesses are looking to expand, many site-selectors say right-to-work is often one of the key criteria used in finding an ideal location -- meaning Kentucky often doesn’t make the initial list of potential candidates.
County leaders are hoping to change that, and say it’s the reason they've seen almost unanimous support from both Democrats and Republicans in passing these local right-to-work ordinances.
"We understand at the local level that it's not politics. It's economics. Unfortunately, when you get to the state capital, it's not necessarily the same thing," said Hardin County Judge-Executive Harry Berry.
The newly passed ordinances still have to work their way through a legal battle, and heavy-hitters are coming out for both sides.
State Attorney General Jack Conway, a Democrat who is running for governor, issued a legal opinion last month stating that only state governments, and not local governments, have the authority to pass right-to-work laws.
On the other side are two former justices from Kentucky’s Supreme Court who argue the counties gained that authority in the 1970s, when legislators granted county governments broad powers to pass laws regarding economic development.
Outside groups supporting the right-to-work effort are closely following the case. If it’s successful, they plan to take this same strategy to counties in other non-right-to-work states such as Ohio, Pennsylvania and Wisconsin.
Regardless of what the courts decide, Jeff Donohue, Democratic member of the Kentucky House of Representatives, said right-to-work laws won’t affect businesses coming to the state.
“Why is Ford Motor Company here? Why is UPS here? Why is Georgetown Toyota here in the state of Kentucky? Why is the Corvette plant here? They're here because of the productivity about the location, and we can get the job done," said Donohue, who is a member of the Economic Development and Tourism committee.
The Bluegrass State economy has out-performed each of its southern, right-to-work neighbors over the last five years -- lowering unemployment and adding manufacturing jobs at a higher rate.
While unions point to those figures as evidence that right-to-work laws aren’t needed, county leaders suggest they could be doing even better.

‘There will be a price’: Obama team reportedly fuming over Netanyahu visit

The Obama administration reportedly is fuming over Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s plans to address Congress in March regarding the Iranian threat, with one unnamed official telling an Israeli newspaper he will pay “a price” for the snub.  
House Speaker John Boehner invited Netanyahu -- and the Israeli leader accepted – without any involvement from the White House.
In public, White House Press Secretary Josh Earnest politely describes this as a “departure” from protocol. He also says the president will not meet with Netanyahu when he visits in early March, but has attributed that decision only to a desire not to influence Israel’s upcoming elections.
But in private, Obama’s team is livid with the Israeli leader, according to Haaretz.
"We thought we've seen everything," a source identified as a senior American official was quoted as saying. "But Bibi managed to surprise even us. There are things you simply don't do.
“He spat in our face publicly and that's no way to behave. Netanyahu ought to remember that President Obama has a year and a half left to his presidency, and that there will be a price."
The anonymous quote was a throwback to when, last year, Atlantic magazine quoted another unnamed senior administration official calling Netanyahu a “chickenshit.”
Administration officials, including Earnest, did not deny the quote at the time, though the White House stressed the criticism did not reflect how the rest of the administration views Netanyahu.  
On Friday, Earnest once again was asked about tensions with the Israeli government. Asked if the decision to speak to Congress was a slap at the Obama administration, he said, “I certainly didn’t interpret it that way.”
As for the decision for Obama not to meet with his Israeli counterpart, he stood by the earlier explanation.
“This administration goes to great lengths to ensure that we don’t give even the appearance of interfering or attempting to influence the outcome” of democratic elections abroad, he said.
Meanwhile, Haaretz also reported that Obama had directly warned Netanyahu to stop urging U.S. lawmakers to back legislation teeing up new sanctions against Iran.
Obama has threatened to veto such a bill, saying it could derail delicate talks over Iran’s nuclear program – and Netanyahu’s visit to Washington could give him an opportunity to further encourage sanctions legislation.
Haaretz reported that Israel’s ambassador already has been urging members of Congress to support the measures. The newspaper reported that Obama told Netanyahu to stop during a Jan. 12 phone call.
On Friday, Earnest acknowledged that Obama and Netanyahu have a “fundamental disagreement” about the diplomatic talks with Iran.
“He doesn’t share [the administration’s] view,” he said. But Earnest also said the “differences of opinion” do not undermine America’s commitment to Israel’s security.
As Obama officials often do, he described that commitment as “unshakable.”

And They’re Off: Republicans descend on Iowa summit, with 2016 in the air

WASHINGTON –  Call it the unofficial kick-off of the 2016 Republican presidential race. 
Two-dozen Republican politicians -- nearly half of them at least considering a run for the White House -- are descending on downtown Des Moines this weekend for the Iowa Freedom Summit, where they'll test their conservative chops before a sold-out crowd. 
The summit, which was held in New Hampshire last time around, is only in its second year but is drawing an impressive amount of GOP star power. The heavy-hitting lineup, in the first-in-the-nation caucus state, effectively makes it the first major candidate forum of the cycle. 
"Odds are, the next president of the United States will be there," said Rep. Steve King, R-Iowa, who is sponsoring the event along with Citizens United. 
The Saturday event is being held as the field of potential 2016 candidates grows ever-larger, with 2012 nominee Mitt Romney and former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush making moves toward a run. 
The two former governors will not be in Iowa, but here's who will: New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie, former Texas Gov. Rick Perry, Texas Sen. Ted Cruz, former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee, and former Pennsylvania Sen. Rick Santorum. 
Others slated to speak include neurosurgeon and conservative firebrand Ben Carson, Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker, former vice presidential candidate Sarah Palin and businessman Donald Trump, as well as former Hewlett-Packard head Carly Fiorina and former U.N. ambassador John Bolton. 
All at least carry with them presidential speculation; most are openly flirting with a bid. 
The Iowa summit, which lasts all day Saturday, will be their biggest chance so far to test-run their messages with Iowa voters. 
For some -- particularly those with appeal to social conservatives, a powerful bloc in the Hawkeye State -- it's a chance to stand out in a crowded field. Potential candidates like Santorum, who have been out of the game since the last race, could use some heartland buzz. 
At the same time, the setting could test the reach of more moderate GOP figures. 
"A lot will depend on exactly what they will say," said Lara Brown, director of the political management program at George Washington University. "At some level, people have to decide what are the issues that bring them together, and what are the issues that will turn them off." 
But she noted, "For every Republican nominee, they have to have support from the Republican right and the evangelical community." 
Christie -- known more for his record battling the unions and his Jersey-style put-downs than his work on issues that drive caucus-goers -- is one to watch. Brown believes the New Jersey governor will spend his time hammering home the message he's pro-life. 
"He may also feel that he should address his stance on immigration and what he experienced as a governor in a state that has a lot of immigrants," she said. 
Also generating some buzz is Walker, who unlike many other potential candidates has been busy running for reelection. 
His spokesman Tom Everson said in a statement the governor is looking forward to "sharing the story of Wisconsin's successful reforms." 
Despite the big turnout, a number of major GOP players are not joining the summit. Aside from Romney and Bush, Kentucky Sen. Rand Paul and Florida Sen. Marco Rubio also aren't attending. 
"What they are likely calculating is how they would be associated with a high-profile event that could be used against them if they were in a general election," Brown said, as a possible reason for the no-shows. 
King, a staunch conservative, recently ruffled Republican feathers after he voted against re-electing Rep. John Boehner as speaker of the House. 
King's controversial comments on illegal immigrants -- he has compared them to drug mules, and most recently described an undocumented immigrant invited to sit with Michelle Obama at the State of the Union as a "deportable" -- have also alienated him from some in his party. 
"Guilt by association is a pretty effective tool," Brown said. "When you have trackers and people tweeting selfies, it makes it more difficult for politicians to talk to people, whether they agree with people or not."

Obama cancels end of India trip to fly to Saudi Arabia following king's death

President Obama has cancelled the end of his trip to India to fly to Saudi Arabia in the wake of the death of the country's king and growing instability in the region, a top Indian official told The Associated Press.
The official said Obama will fly from India Tuesday, skipping a planned trip to the Taj Mahal. The White House did not immediately confirm the report. 
Obama will reportedly arrive in New Delhi Sunday for talks with Prime Minister Nerendra Modi and to be the chief guest in India's Republic Day parade Monday. Obama had been scheduled to return to Washington late Tuesday
Obama's travel schedule was changed so that he could meet with King Salman and other Saudi officials after his speech in India Tuesday. Biden will stay in Washington.
Saudi Arabia has long been a key U.S. ally, and a bulwark against Iran’s reach. Given the line of succession – King Abdullah's half-brother Salman bin Abdul-Aziz Al Saud has replaced him – the former diplomat did not expect major policy changes in the short-term. 
Indeed, Salman said in a speech that aired on the state-run Saudi television that the country will adhere to the same policies it has followed "since its establishment."
Salman made an oblique reference to the chaos gripping the greater Middle East as the extremist Islamic State group now holds a third of both Iraq and Syria.
"The Arab and the Islamic nations are in dire need of solidarity and cohesion," the king said.
A former U.S. diplomat told Fox News that the Saudi policy on matters like Yemen has not been clear since 2009, and the diplomat even anticipated a softer stance from the Kingdom on Syria, where the late king committed Saudi airpower to fighting the Islamic State.
Abdullah's death may also open up a bigger power vacuum in Riyadh than first believed. The Wall Street Journal reported that U.S. officials do not consider the 79-year-old Salman to be a strong or healthy ruler in his own right, which raises the possibility that others in the royal family could come to the forefront.
Most immediately, the Obama administration faces a critical challenge in Yemen, where President Abed Rabbo Mansour Hadi,a U.S. ally, resigned Thursday after being held captive by Houthi rebels.
The White House had originally said Vice President Biden would lead a delegation to Saudi Arabia. However, it was reportedly determined that the window when Biden would be on the ground in Riyadh coincided with Obama's departure from India. 
Obama, in the meantime, will be the first U.S. president to visit India twice while in office; he also traveled there in 2010 for an economic summit.
The president's visit is expected to be heavy on symbolism and lighter on substantive advances, though climate change, economics and defense ties are all on the agenda. Indian political commentator Ashok Malik said expectations for concrete deliverables during the visit are "below the standards usually set by U.S. presidents when they travel across the world for a three-day visit."
Still, U.S. and Indian officials appear to agree that even a symbolic show of solidarity between the leaders would be a sign of progress after recent difficulties.
While military cooperation and U.S. defense sales have grown, Washington has been frustrated by India's failure to open up to more foreign investment and to address complaints alleging intellectual property violations. India's liability legislation has also prevented U.S. companies from capitalizing on a landmark civil nuclear agreement between the two countries in 2008.
U.S. officials hope the improving relationship between Obama and Modi will payoff in the policy arena. The White House plans to push India on climate change.