Humoring the Headlines: January 17, 2016

By Laurie Baron

Laurie Baron
Laurie Baron

SAN DIEGO─ Fending off Donald Trump’s questioning of whether he is eligible to serve as president, Ted Cruz has hired Aretha Franklin to sing “You Make Me Feel like a Natural Born Citizen.” at his campaign rallies.

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In response to criticism for his slow reaction to the water contamination crisis in Flint, the governor of Michigan has apologized for subjecting the city’s residents to lead poisoning, but optimistically observed that at least they are now immune to Kryptonite.

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Mexico agreed to the extradition of drug kingpin El Chapo to the United States in return for the United States signing a treaty not to charge Mexico for the wall Donald Trump plans to build on the border.

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Rand Paul did not participate in this week’s Republican presidential debate; neither did Ben Carson.

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The Republican candidates for president have been unanimous in their criticism of President Obama’s weakness in negotiating a prisoner swap and return of American sailors with Iran.  Nothing projects strength more than letting American citizens languish in foreign prisons.

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Baron is professor emeritus of history at San Diego State University.  He may be contacted via lawrence.baron@sdjewishworld.com   San Diego Jewish World points out to new readers that this column is satire, and nothing herein should be taken literally.