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

BRIAN TOASTING – From The New York Times:  "An NBC News internal investigation into Brian Williams has examined a half-dozen instances in which he is thought to have fabricated, misrepresented or embellished his accounts, two people with inside knowledge of the investigation said.  The investigation includes at least one episode that was previously unreported, these people said, involving statements by Mr. Williams about events from Tahrir Square in Cairo during the Arab Spring.  The investigation, conducted by at least five NBC journalists, was commissioned early this year after Mr. Williams was forced to apologize for embellishing an account of a helicopter episode in Iraq in 2003. He was subsequently suspended for six months from his anchor position on the 'NBC Nightly News.'"  It would be wise for Williams to be given some assignment other than chief anchor for NBC News.  There has to be some pride.

DETAILS, ALWAYS DETAILS – From Fox:  "The Iraqis are getting a batch of American F-16 fighter planes to run combat missions against the Islamic State, but questions remain over whether they can fly them.  According to officials, the first batch of the much-awaited jets is set to arrive in the war-torn country this summer. The Iraqis purchased 18 in 2011 for $3 billion, and another 18 for $830 million two years later, for a total of 36 aircraft.  To date, there have been numerous delays in getting the F-16s to Iraq, mostly because of the deteriorating security situation there, Pentagon spokesman Col. Steve Warren told reporters on Friday. 'We remain committed to fulfilling the delivery of those aircraft,' he added.  He said there are 36 Iraqi pilots in the U.S. Air Force training 'pipeline,' with 30 at the Davis-Monthan Air Force Base in Arizona, and the other six at language school. 'These will be the first pilots to use Iraq's F-16s in the fight against ISIL,' said Warren, adding that the first batch of jets delivered this summer will number 'less than 10.'"  I worry about the pilots at language school.  I mean, how fast can they learn the English?  And what about the others?  Enough English to fly an advanced aircraft?

YEAH, RIGHT – From Daily Caller:  "During his farewell address to the Justice Department Friday, Attorney General Eric Holder referred to his tenure at the Department of Justice as its 'golden age' and in the same mold as Robert Kennedy’s storied tenure.  Loretta Lynch will take over the department following the Senate’s 56-43 confirmation vote Thursday."  Since when did Bob Kennedy, who had been made attorney general without ever having practiced law, have a storied tenure?  Wasn't he the dude who wiretapped Dr. King?  As for Holder, the gold seems awfully faded.  He is one of the most political AG's in memory.

April 24,  2015