SHORT TAKES ON THE DRIFTING WRECKAGE – AT 11:55 P.M. ET:

HOW NICE – FROM CAMPUS REFORM:   A Georgetown University student group recently barred white students from attending a community discussion on a proposal to arm campus police.  The “Community Dialogue on Racism & [Georgetown University Police Department]” was hosted by the Georgetown United Against Police Aggression (GUAPA) student group on April 24, and despite describing the event as an evening of “community and discussion,” the organizers specifically stated that “allies” were “not welcome” to attend the event.  "This space will center the voices and experiences of students of color...allies are not welcome to attend this preliminary dialogue."  “It's time to talk. All of us have a story about GUPD. All of us know someone who has been targeted. Let's do something about it,” the event description stated, urging students to “Come this Tuesday for community and discussion.”  The event page stipulated, however, that “this space will center the voices and experiences of students of color,” informing “allies for the safety of students of color” that “allies are not welcome to attend this preliminary dialogue” before mentioning that “food will be provided.”  And of course these dimwit "allies" will accept their exclusion.  And the school administration will remain silent.  Please note that we the people give federal aid to this institution.

VENEZUELA "RESULT" – FROM FOX:   Venezuela's election officials say socialist leader Nicolas Maduro has won a second six-year term as president of the oil-rich South American country, while his main rivals are disputing the legitimacy of the vote and calling for a new election.  The National Election Council announced that with almost 93 percent of polling stations reporting, Maduro won nearly 68 percent of the votes in Sunday's election, beating his nearest challenger Henri Falcon by almost 40 points.  If this were two years ago, Obama would be flying to Maduro's inauguration, and Jimmy Carter would be swearing him in.

THE ALLY WHO LECTURES US – FROM THE LOS ANGELES TIMES:   There are so few German army helicopters available for the troops that pilots have been forced to train in bright yellow civilian choppers leased from the German Automobile Club.  A chronic shortage of spare parts and assorted technical woes have grounded 29 of the Bundeswehr's 130 camouflage-green helicopters. Acute shortages of parts have also left only 39 of the Luftwaffe's 128 Eurofighter jets combat-ready — idled along with nearly half of the armed forces' 224 Leopard tanks and five of its six submarines.  No country in the North Atlantic Treaty Organization alliance has savored the "peace dividend" as much as Germany, which slashed military spending in half after the Cold War. And no country in NATO has drawn more criticism from President Trump for not carrying its own military weight than Germany.  And no leader has lectured Trump more than Angela Merkel.  And no nation has groveled more to the Iranians, hoping for trade deals, than Germany.

May 20, 2018