SHORT TAKES ON THE DRIFTING WRECKAGE – OVERNIGHT: 

GETTING THE FACTS OUT – FROM DAILY MAIL:  Children face an 'extremely low' one in 500,000 risk of dying from the coronavirus, researchers have found.  In England, just 25 under-18s have died from Covid, which equates to around two in a million, experts said.  Young people with pre-existing medical conditions, like heart disease and cancer, and severe disability, which can include cerebral palsy and autism, have a higher chance of becoming seriously ill from the virus.  But the scientists - from three top British universities - said this risk is no higher then the risk from flu.  Teenagers, black and obese children were also at higher risk from dying with Covid but these numbers were still very low, they found.  Researchers said their findings - which were published in three separate papers today - will help inform vaccine and shielding policy for under-18s.  They will submit the studies to the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI), the Department for Health and the World Health Organization (WHO).  The findings come amid a row over whether the prime minister should expand the vaccine roll-out to youngsters.  I wonder if the commissars in Washington will allow this to be discussed.  I doubt it. 

ANOTHER NUT CASE HEARD FROM – FROM DAILY MAIL:   Rashida Tlaib called on Congress in a Wednesday interview to defund every federal enforcement agency tasked with protecting U.S. borders as Joe Biden's administration continues to struggle to address a growing migration crisis at the southern border.  'We must eliminate funding for CBP [Customs and Border Protection], ICE [Immigration and Customs Enforcement] and their parent organization DHS [Department of Homeland Security],' the progressive 'squad' member demanded.  Tlaib insisted during a virtual interview published Wednesday with Just Futures Law, an immigrants rights group, that advocates and human service agents 'continue to see over and over again that these agencies are inept.'  The Michigan representative said that rather than 'humanely guiding migrants through our immigration system', these agencies 'continue to terrorize migrant communities located within our communities.'   Apparently, Rashida hasn't gotten the memo – defunding law enforcement is thoroughly unpopular throughout the United States, and a losing issue for her party.  She's becoming radioactive, a good thing for America.

July 8, 2021