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

EMBARRASSING – From AP:   WASHINGTON (AP) — The Obama administration doesn't plan to invite Cuban dissidents to Secretary of State John Kerry's historic flag-raising at the U.S. Embassy in Havana on Friday, vividly illustrating how U.S. policy is shifting focus from the island's opposition to its single-party government. Instead, Kerry intends to meet more quietly with prominent activists later in the day, officials said.  The Cuban opposition has occupied the center of U.S. policy toward the island since the nations cut diplomatic relations in 1961. The Cuban government labels its domestic opponents as traitorous U.S. mercenaries. As the two countries have moved to restore relations, Cuba has almost entirely stopped meeting with American politicians who visit dissidents during trips to Havana.  Incredible.  We allow these pint-sized dictators to kick us around, and consider it progress. 

NEW YORK AGAINST IRAN DEAL – From Quinnipiac.edu:   New York City voters oppose 43 - 36 percent the proposed nuclear agreement with Iran, according to a Quinnipiac University poll released today.  Jewish voters oppose the proposed pact 53 - 33 percent, the independent Quinnipiac (KWIN-uh-pe-ack) University Poll finds. Opposition is 70 - 15 percent among Republican voters and 51 - 32 percent among independent voters, while Democrats support the pact 43 - 33 percent.  Manhattan voters support the nuclear deal 48 - 27 percent, and Brooklyn voters are divided with support at 40 percent and opposition at 43 percent. Opposition is 42 - 26 percent in The Bronx, 49 - 33 percent in Queens and 76 - 11 percent in Staten Island.
Voters are divided on whether the deal would make the world safer or not as 40 percent say safer and 42 percent say less safe.   "New York City voters agree with U.S. Sen. Charles Schumer in his opposition to the proposed Iran deal," said Quinnipiac University Poll Assistant Director Maurice Carroll.   Schumer is on safe ground, despite the ugly onslaught against him by the Obama crowd.  New York City is one of the most liberal towns in America.  If the Iran agreement is rejected there, Obama's support on the issue is truly in poor shape.  Reports from the Senate indicate that Schumer is still on track to be minority leader.  The lefties are trying to purge him, but it doesn't seem to be working.

MADNESS – From personalliberty.com:   It’s always fun to watch liberal utopia melt down in real time. Here’s a good one: from the intersection of big labor and racial oversensitivity.  United Auto Workers Local 2865, the University of California student-worker union, recently sent a letter to the AFL-CIO asking the union to sever ties with the International Union of Police Associations (IUPA) because police officer unions do not represent the interest of workers.  Why? Because cops are racists and they work for oppressors. And oppressors hate workers, especially black ones. Duh, bro.  If American parents ever understood what actually goes on at universities, most would haul their kiddies out in a second. 

August 12,  2015