SHORT TAKES ON THE DRIFTING WRECKAGE – AT 11:14 P.M. ET: 

BRILLIANT – From The Daily Caller:  "Chicago public schools are set to introduce a new Afro-centric curriculum, according to a closely-guarded copy obtained by The Daily Caller News Foundation.  The curriculum covers kindergarten through tenth grade and is designed to align with Common Core. It includes a web link to TheAfrican.com, a website whose publisher decries 'fake-Jews' and calls the United States a 'Zionist-occupied enemy territory.'  The site also claims that the world will end sometime this year and that President Barack Obama is 'merely another trick of [the beast of the 4th Kingdom].'"  Yup, just what young black kids in Chicago need.  I'm sure this curriculum will do them a lot of good...if they survive this weekend.

HUMILIATING – From London's Daily Mail:  "While America’s wealthiest citizens continue to outpace their global peers, the country’s middle class has lost its long-held distinction of being the most affluent in the world according to new research.  Although economic growth in the United States continues to be as strong as in many other countries - or stronger - only a small percentage of American households are fully benefiting from it, according to the LIS analysis.  Based on surveys conducted over the past 35 years, income across the lower- and middle-income tiers of American society has plateaued over that time, while citizens in other advanced countries have received considerably larger rises."  This is true, and it must be addressed.  A strong middle class is the key to American stability.  And the key to a strong middle class is manufacturing.

TYPICAL ILLINOIS – From CBS:  "CBS) — A top Republican state lawmaker has accused Democrats of using an 'under-handed and sneaky' maneuver to advance plans to set aside $100 million in state funds to bring President Barack Obama’s presidential library and museum to Illinois.  House Republican Leader Jim Durkin (R-Western Springs) said Democrats pulled a fast one by using a procedural maneuver last week when the House Executive Committee approved the money at a hearing in Chicago."  Incredible.  Illinois is essentially bankrupt.  Can't this library be built with private contributions, or isn't that the socialist way?

NEW STYLES IN CRIME – From NECN:  "(NECN) - A so-called 'potato bandit' is on the loose in Providence, R.I.  Police are searching for a would-be robber accused of using a vegetable as a weapon.
The man allegedly tried to rob two stores on Monday using a knife and a potato that apparently looked like a handgun.   The first attempted robbery happened at a gas station where the man demanded money, but the cashier only handed over a fake $20 bill. At the suspect’s next stop, a dry cleaner, he did not get away with any cash either.  The suspect is described as a male with a skinny build, between 5'2" and 5'7" in height."  Potato guns have been shown to be ineffective in most robberies.

April 22, 2014