This edition of Rich TAkes! leads off with a few stories about the San Bernadino shooter’s iPhone 5c.

Has Obama recognized that this couple were radical jihadis yet? Anyway, the FBI apparently tried to change the phone or the iCloud password, and got themselves completely locked out of the phone, so that is why they got a court order to force Apple to create software which completely bypasses the built in encryption and security in iOS. Apple will be appealing, and the outcome will have grave consequences for us all if the government prevails.

Next, the 11th Republican debate just concluded in Detroit. This is perhaps the wildest run up to the general election that we may ever see in our lifetimes. We have a real estate developer, and self-made brand in Donald Trump who is energizing the electorate even more than Obama did in 2008, and he’s not even close to being a conservative. The GOP is getting desperate, especially since the closest rival is Ted Cruz who actually stands by his principles. The establishment GOP is so desperate that Mitt Romney actually gave a speech today which he must have gleaned off of any anti-Trump web page listing Trump’s numerous faults and failures, while openly advocating to deny Trump a first ballot nomination at the convention. I wonder what rules will need to be changed? If Romney is angling to swoop in and save the party in a brokered convention he is kidding himself.

I don’t trust Trump since he has taken three sides to nearly every topic, and his foreign policy credibility is greatly suspect. For example, last fall he said to let the Russians take out ISIS, and reversed himself mere days later.

As I noted last August, Trump has done the Republican Party a great service by getting people who would not take much interest in the process into the fray, but don’t kid yourself, he is not a conservative. He doesn’t even know what the meaning of the word is. He may also be helping the GOP to disintegrate, since the GOP has only themselves to blame for this interesting turn of events.

“may you live in interesting times” might be appropriate here. I hope you enjoy the

Rich TAkes! On Stopping The Trump Train

Apple’s FBI Battle Is Complicated. Here’s What’s Really Going On | WIRED

Apple increased the encryption and security levels in iOS after the Snowden NSA revelations. Apple does not have a key to get in.

Why The FBI Chose To Try The Apple Encryption Case In The Media

Dead Men Tell No Tales | Carlos Cunha

MYTH BUSTED: Actually, Yes, Hitler Was a Socialist Liberal

It was the National Socialist Workers Party, after all.

Refugee-lovin’ governor sued for importing Muslims

Nikki tosses her cup of TEA.

In 36 States, Unemployment Rates Still Linger Above Pre-recession Levels

Post Super SEC Tuesday update:

Trump is not really running away with the Republican nomination yet.

More info about each state’s rules and primary election dates here:

Republican Delegate Count

So far, Trump wins open primaries and Cruz wins closed … and the calendar is starting to change toward more closed primaries

Last Chance for America? Part II – Thomas Sowell

Sowell makes the case for Cruz.

Trump: Ok, I lied when I said Bush lied.

Trump, April 15, 2009: ‘I Don’t March with the Tea Party.’

I love Obama, Can’t Stand the Tea Party. Sarah Palin Doesn’t Mind

Ben Shapiro: Donald Trump Is A Liar – YouTube

Donald Trump — Immigration Hypocrite Who Ignores American Workers

How Did We Get Obama and Trump?

Poll workers in Trump gear ignoring IDs, hiding ballots – Nevada caucus is a DISASTER

Cruz received a lot of flack about talking about Trump’s New York values. Most people do not know that Cruz was simply quoting Donald Trump in his own words.

How President Trump would rule America

(VIDEO) Trump Continues To Flat Out Lie About His Opposition To The Iraq War