Quick Hits: Volume CCCXXXVIII

 - Minnesota Congresswoman Ilhan Omar with a rather bizarre stream of consciousness. 

Ilhan Omar tells a crowd of Somalians that her top priority is to put Somalia first and expand its territory

"The US government will do what we want, nothing else. They must follow our orders. That is how we safeguard the interest of Somalia." pic.twitter.com/4jg36ucExQ

— Amit Shah (Parody) (@Motabhai012) January 29, 2024

Ed Morrissey of Hot Air with an insightful perspective.  

But let’s think about Omar’s outburst and her pledge to have Somalia run our foreign policy through the refugee community in light of the progressive revulsion against Israel and America’s Jewish voters and elected officials. None of the latter would dare suggest that Israel should dictate our policies through Jewish voters here in the US, not just because it’s inappropriate (which it would be) but because it would play into the stereotypes promoted by Ilhan Omar and her radical-progressive allies. Omar is the reductio ad absurdum of the Left’s “disloyal Jew” and “divided loyalties” stereotypes, only this time in reality with Somalian as its substitute … which is why this should draw plenty of attention and derision.

Keep this handy the next time Omar and The Squad talk about AIPAC and “Zionist” influence on American policy.

Either Omar believes she's still bulletproof in her district and thus can say whatever she so desires, or she's resigned herself to the fact she has another formidable DFL primary challenge from Don Samuels, so her Congressional career is hanging by a thread. Why not empty the proverbial chamber at that point? 

Either head space doesn't bode well for her constituents. 

- Monday was the 5th anniversary of this tweet. 

What happened today to @JussieSmollett must never be tolerated in this country. We must stand up and demand that we no longer give this hate safe harbor; that homophobia and racism have no place on our streets or in our hearts. We are with you, Jussie. https://t.co/o8ilPu68CM

— Joe Biden (@JoeBiden) January 30, 2019

And did ya notice the wording in that NYT tweet, specifically a certain adverb conspicuous by its absence? That would be the word "allegedly." It's not hyperbole to say such an omission is journalistic malpractice, especially in light of how the Smollett saga turned out. 

- With less than two months until MLB opening day (!), the Minnesota Twins finally make their long awaited splash move.  

The first major domino of the Twins offseason fell Monday and Jorge Polanco, the longest-tenured player on the team, was traded to the Seattle Mariners in a five-player deal.

The Twins received two righthanders for their big league club, starter Anthony DeSclafani and reliever Justin Topa, and two minor leaguers, outfielder Gabriel Gonzalez and pitcher Darren Bowen, in exchange for Polanco, the switch-hitting second baseman who has been a regular part of the Twins infield since 2016. The Mariners will also send cash to the Twins, the teams announced.

Given Polanco is now age 30 and has missed significant chunks of the regular season over the past two years, the Twins should feel fortunate they got the return they did. Yes, I'm aware DeSclafani has been plagued by arm troubles since 2022 (Tyler Mahle, part deux??), so anything they get from him in the rotation should be considered a bonus. But a solid reliever like Topa is a more than sufficient replacement for the departing Emilio Pagan, and Gonzalez is a building block for the future (a top 100 MLB prospect as of now). 

Now if the Twins can just get their TV deal resolved..........

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