(A technical problem delayed posting of "Short Takes" tonight.  Sorry.)

SHORT TAKES ON THE DRIFTING WRECKAGE – AT 11:48 P.M. ET: 

NEW SOCHI WARNING – American security officials are warning airline passengers about potential "toothpaste" bombs – tubes of toothpaste in which the paste has been replaced by explosives.  Toothpaste may have to be confiscated.  The warning was directed especially at people going to the Olympics, which start in less than 48 hours.

GOOD IDEA, I THINK – From Fox:  "All police chases eventually come to an end, but we may soon see the end of all police chases.  A secret plan requiring that every car entering Europe be fitted with a system that would allow them to be tracked and disabled remotely by law enforcement has been revealed, The Daily Telegraph reports.  Documents obtained and leaked by civil rights group Statewatch outline a program being developed by the European Network of Law Enforcement Technologies that would 'work on a technological solution that can be a "build in a standard"' for all automobiles."  Sounds good, as long as the system could be made absolutely secure from hackers.  Imagine if some sinister tech group stopped all traffic, including emergency vehicles, in a country.

TYPICAL – From Fox:  "Russia is already not playing fair before the Winter Olympics have even started by seeking an advantage in denying Team USA its Chobani yogurt.  Sen. Charles Schumer of New York -- where the yogurt is made -- is calling on the Russian government to allow Chobani Greek yogurt to be delivered to Sochi for U.S. Olympic athletes and NBC Studios employees.  Schumer said Tuesday that a shipment of Chobani yogurt is being held up at Newark Liberty International Airport in New Jersey because of 'unattainable' Russian customs certifications. The U.S. Department of Agriculture has requested that Russia approve a USDA safety certificate for the yogurt, but Schumer said Russia still won't allow the shipment."

MAJOR POLITICAL NEWS – It is reliably reported that legendary political activist Sandra Fluke, whose major concern is providing free birth control for college girls, has withdrawn as a candidate for Congress in California.  From Mediaite:  "Just hours after filing paperwork with the intention of seeking the California Democratic Party’s endorsement to replace retiring 20-term Rep. Henry Waxman (D-CA), Democratic activist Sandra Fluke announced on Tuesday that she was passing on that opportunity and aiming instead to be elected to the state Senate.  'I am extremely moved by the outpouring of local and national support I have received since I announced that I was considering running for office,' Fluke said in a statement released late Tuesday night. 'While I strongly considered offering my candidacy for Congress, I feel there is a better way for me to advance the causes that are important to our community.'"  Translated into English:  The local Democratic bosses told Sandy to wait her turn or hit the road.

February 5, 2014