SHORT TAKES ON THE DRIFTING WRECKAGE – AT 8:32 P.M. ET: 

ROBIN WILLIAMS AN APPARENT SUICIDE – From The New York Times:  "The actor Robin Williams died on Monday morning, his publicist, Mara Buxbaum, said in a statement.  Mr. Williams, 63, had been battling severe depression recently, the statement said.  Mr. Williams was found unconscious at his home in Tiburon, Calif., around noon on Monday, the Marin County Sheriff’s Office said in a statement. His death appeared to be a suicide due to asphyxia, the statement said."  As I learned while working at The Tonight Show, comedians aren't, as human beings, very funny.  They're often very serious and very sad, and often angry.  Comedy is classically defined as tragedy plus time.  Today we saw the tragedy. 

WE COULD USE THIS ON OUR SOUTHERN BORDER – From the Jerusalem Post:  "A system designed to detect infiltration tunnels proved successful in laboratory tests for the first time ever and is now being tested in the field, a senior Israel Defense Forces (IDF) officer said Monday.  If the field test proves successful, the system can be deployed around the Gaza Strip within approximately one year, the officer added."  We could use a system like this on our Southern border.  There have already been tunnels discovered.  I hope the Obamans don't turn it down on the grounds that it would offend the sensibilities of infiltrators.

CANDIDATE VS. PRESIDENT – This quote, from Barack Obama in 2008, is making the internet rounds:  "You have to understand that if you seek that office, then you have to be prepared to give your life to it. Essentially, the bargain that I think every president strikes with the American people is, ‘you give me this office, then in turn my fears, doubts, insecurities, foibles, need for sleep, family life, vacations, leisure, is gone. I am giving myself to you.’"  Yeah, what a gift we got.  As this is being written, Mr. Sacrifice is once again on Martha's Vineyard. 

HILLARY VS. THE CHIEF – From The Weekly Standard:  "White House deputy national security adviser Ben Rhodes publicly responded to criticism from Hillary Clinton of Barack Obama's foreign policy back in June, just as Hillary's book tour was starting up. 'On the broad thrust of our foreign policy, she was fully on board,' Rhodes tells Politico.  It's worth remembering Rhodes's comments now that Hillary Clinton's recent interview has been published where she seems to be bashing elements of Obama's foreign policy."  This is becoming a really big story, with much ink expended on speculation as to why Hillary is making this move now, separating herself from a foreign policy she was ordered to carry out.  We'll have much more on the juicy split as it develops.  I love it.

August 11,  2014