SHORT TAKES ON THE DRIFTING WRECKAGE - AT 11:54 P.M. ET:

HORROR STORY – There have, in the last two days, been two separate flash mob attacks, one in Milwaukee and one in Pittsburgh.  Flash mobs are groups of "youths" who form and suddenly attack bystanders or rob stores, or both.  The participants in the recent spate of attacks around the United States, including several in the president's home city of Chicago, are usually African-American.   Newspapers, often reluctant to mention race, are now doing so more and more, which is correct.  We know, of course, that only a small number of black kids are involved, but they are dangerous and frightening, and something must be done, including faster police response and greater police patrols.  Ultimately, this is a cultural problem within a community.  The White House has chosen not to acknowledge the development.  We wish the president would speak out.

ITALY ON THE BRINK – Italy, a country for which I have unabashed affection, is in serious economic trouble.  As the world's eighth largest economy, trouble in Italy can spread beyond its borders.  A series of measures will be introduced into Italy's parliament soon that looks remarkably like measures recommended by conservatives in the United States.  They include a balanced budget amendment, and cuts in the cost of government, which in Italy also means subsidies to political parties.  It looks like Italy is in the right track.  It has, under most of its post-war governments, been a good ally to the United States and a base for American forces.

EXPLOITATION – As expected – we did a post on this hours ago – today's anniversary of the atomic bombing of Hiroshima is being used in Japan in campaigns against nuclear power for the future.  It's sad to see that.  There is no question that the recent release of radiation from an earthquake-damaged plant in Japan is a matter of the deepest concern, and there is no question that human negligence contributed to the tragedy.  But to try to bar all nuclear power seems to me no answer at all.  It's like trying to ban cars because of accidents.  The idea is to find ways to have nuclear power that is safe, and resistant even to natural catastrophes.  We didn't give up on ocean liners after the Titanic went down, and far more people died in that tragedy than in Japan's nuclear accident. 

August 6, 2011