HMM: Turkey tones down criticism of Trump’s Syria policy.

Ankara strongly objected to a US decision to directly arm Syrian Kurds who are regarded by Turkey as a threat to its security.

But, in an interview with the Financial Times, Binali Yildirim, prime minister, indicated that Turkey had been reassured by James Mattis, US defence secretary, whom he met in London on Thursday.

“Turkey’s concerns are understood but on the ground this was a tactical alliance and they had no choice,” said Mr Yildirim, referring to the US argument that the Syrian Kurds — which Turkey regards as a terrorist group on its border — will be vital in the battle to capture Isis’s northern Syria heartland of Raqqa.

“The defence secretary on numerous occasions made very, very clear, an unequivocal commitment that they would never allow those weapons to be turned against Turkey,” he added.

Or it could be now that the Kurds will be better able to defend themselves, Ankara has suddenly remembered the importance of cooperation with Washington.

HOW’S THAT MIDDLE-AMERICA OUTREACH PROGRAM GOING, DEMS? Democrat Refers to Middle America as ‘Podunk, USA.’

A Democratic lawmaker from California referred to Middle America as “Podunk, USA,” during a committee meeting last week, several sources inside the meeting told the Washington Free Beacon.

Remarks by Rep. Anna Eshoo (D., Calif.) during a closed-door Energy and Commerce Committee meeting with Federal Communications Commission Chairman Ajit Pai raised eyebrows from those present. . . .

Eshoo’s office declined to comment.

Democrats have been criticized for being out of touch and representing only the interests of coastal elites since suffering significant losses in the 2016 elections. House Democrats opted to reelect Nancy Pelosi of San Francisco as their leader rather than Tim Ryan, who represents Youngstown, Ohio.

Why so hateful, Dems?

HIGHER EDUCATION BUBBLE UPDATE: Furor Over Philosopher’s Comments on Violence Against White People.

Of course, most of the story is about the reaction he’s had to endure.

WRITING CHECKS YOUR PREPAREDNESS CAN’T CASH: Resist: Woman Follows Republican Representative on Highway, Menacing Them

REASON A MILLION FIVE THOUSAND AND FIFTY NINE WHY TRUMP WON: Democrat Refers to Middle America as ‘Podunk, USA’.

THE SCIENCE IS SETTLED: Science says wine and cheese make you fit and smart.

PAY ATTENTION: Men’s Depression Is Subtle. But It Can Kill.

IN THE EMAIL FROM ALMA BOYKIN: Clawing Back from Chaos: Book 9 in the Cat Among Dragons Series (A Cat Among Dragons).

An excerpt here.

YOU MEAN IN SPACE WE CAN STILL HEAR REGULATIONS? Space Workers.

I’D HAVE KEPT GEORGE: Does this crazy b*tch get paid for this?

STALIN WOULD APPROVE: Facebook Censors Anti-Communist Stalin Memes.

THE POWDER KEG: Tense Times.

“NAME THAT PARTY,” COURTESY OF BING NEWS:

But some people are out there to correct the record:

AT AMAZON, save on Small Appliances.

Plus, spring deals in Patio Lawn and Garden.

WELL, ONE OF MY FRIENDS SEEMS SMITTEN WITH HER NEW PICKUP TRUCK, SO WHY NOT? Will We Fall In Love With The Sex Robots That Are Definitely Heading Our Way?

My own thoughts on the uncanny-valley problem is that it could be overcome by sex robots modeled on anime characters. Which would seem to fit the target market pretty well, too.

(And to the reader who “requested” a sex robot story in the comments, you’re welcome.)

DEMS DOING BETTER WITH MEDIA THAN WITH VOTERS:

I DUNNO, I THINK TRUMP FANS SHOULD ENCOURAGE MEDIA SMUGNESS, SINCE IT’S TRUMP’S GREATEST WEAPON: Dan Pfeiffer’s smug lecture about ‘fake’ vs. ‘real’ scandals gets DESTROYED.

IF A DEMOCRAT SPOKESWOMAN SHUT DOWN A MALE REPORTER LIKE THIS, SHE’D BE AN ICON OF FEMINISM: After ABC Reporter Called Huckabee’s Daughter a Liar, WATCH All Hell Break Loose.

AT AMAZON, save big on Wheels and Tires.

Plus, deals on Herbs Spices and Seasonings.

WHY THE FBI KEPT HAVING TO CLEAN UP OUR POLITICAL MESSES: “You say Donald Trump sometimes sounds like he’s nuts? If he is, he’s not even in the top five nuttiest figures to get elected recently.”

And this fellow didn’t even make the list:

Related: “My job is to be so persuasive that if there’s anybody left out there who is still not sure whether they will vote, or is still not clear who they will vote for, that a light will shine through that window, a beam of light will come down upon you, you will experience an epiphany…and you will suddenly realize that you must go to the polls and vote for Obama.”

HIGHLIGHTS FROM THE Donald Trump/Lester Holt interview.

IMPORTANT NEWS FROM THE WORLD OF MEDICINE: Ten Health Benefits of Sex.

I EAGERLY AWAIT AN ANGRY MAUREEN DOWD COLUMN SAYING THAT HE HAS ABSOLUTE MORAL AUTHORITY OVER HIS HECKLERS: Liberals Yell ‘Shame’ at GOP Rep. for Talking About His Dead Daughter.

NEWS YOU CAN USE: Oysters, Despite What You’ve Heard, Are Always in Season.