SHORT TAKES ON THE DRIFTING WRECKAGE – AT 11:52 P.M. ET: 

OLYMPICS – The marquee event in the winter Olympics is the ladies' individual figure skating competition.  It's divided into short and long programs.  The short was held today.  The top three winners were women from South Korea, Russia, and Italy, separated by less than a point.  Our American women, though not finishing in the top three, acquitted themselves very well, and with class.  U.S, national champion Gracie Gold is in the fourth slot, veteran Ashley Wagner is sixth, and national silver medalist Polina Edmunds is seventh.  The long program, the skate for the gold, is tomorrow, Thursday.  It's unlikely an American will be on the podium – although an upset can happen – but Gracie and Polina are the future of American women's skating, and the future looks bright.

UKRAINE – The Ukrainian government announced a truce between federal forces and militant demonstrators, even while fires continued to burn in the capital city of Kiev.  No one knows at this hour whether the truce will hold, or even take effect.  Russia's Vladimir Putin, who wants Ukraine to be a modern-day satellite of Moscow, has his prestige at stake in the outcome of the struggle.

DISGRACEFUL – During Obama's 2008 campaign, one of his Mideast advisers, Robert Malley, had to be eased out because his virulent anti-Israel stance was alienating pro-Israel voters.  Today Malley was appointed a senior director of the National Security Council, in charge of managing our relations with our Persian Gulf allies.  The absurd appointment is one more example of  Obama's apparent determination, during his second term, to show us who he really is.  Malley has been one of the leaders in the drive to appease Iran, something that will upset the Persian Gulf allies he's supposed to manage, especially Saudi Arabia.  And Israel can hardly be reassured by the appointment of a man who spent quality time polishing the image of the late Yasir Arafat.  Another brilliant Obama move.

BULLETIN – THIS JUST IN – From London's Telegraph:  "Muslims have been warned in a Fatwa not to go and live on Mars because it would pose 'a real risk to life,' according to a Dubai news organisation.
The General Authority of Islamic Affairs and Endowment (GAIAE) in the United Arab Emirates said that anyone making such a 'hazardous trip' is likely to die for 'no righteous reason.'  They would therefore be liable to a 'punishment similar to that of suicide in the Hereafter,' the Khaleej Times reported."  Guess that kills my plans for Saturday, but I think I can get my money back. 

February 19,  2014