SHORT TAKES ON THE DRIFTING WRECKAGE – AT 9:46 P.M. ET

GOOD FOR HER – From the New York Post:  "TUCSON, Ariz. — In the three years since she was severely injured in a mass shooting at a political event, Gabrielle Giffords has made an impressive recovery, learned to walk again and founded a national political organization. On Wednesday, while others gathered for bell-ringing and flag-raising ceremonies, she marked the anniversary by skydiving.  After completing her landing, Giffords blew kisses and waved to a crowd of reporters. She described the jump as a wonderful experience.  The former congresswoman’s jump will be broadcast on NBC’s 'Today' show on Thursday."  She's a moderate Democrat, the sane kind, and her proposals to reduce gun violence are consistent with her strong belief in the Second Amendment.

POLITICAL CHOICES – From Gallup:  "PRINCETON, NJ -- Forty-two percent of Americans, on average, identified as political independents in 2013, the highest Gallup has measured since it began conducting interviews by telephone 25 years ago. Meanwhile, Republican identification fell to 25%, the lowest over that time span. At 31%, Democratic identification is unchanged from the last four years but down from 36% in 2008."  I have no problem with the increase in independents, but it's clear the GOP has a serious problem with voter love.  I think many things are being done to reach more voters with convincing arguments, but it's a long road, not helped by internal warfare. 

MUSIC FOR THE MIND – From London's Daily Mail:  "Playing classical music such as Beethoven and Mozart to young children boosts their concentration and self-discipline, a new study suggests.  Youngsters also improve their general listening and social skills by being exposed to repertoires from composers including Ravel, Shostakovich and Mendelssohn.  In addition, they are likely to appreciate a wider range of music in later years, according to a study from the Institute of Education, (IoE), University of London."  I wonder if this is a function of listening to great music or having great parents.  I'd like to see a study of kids whose parents feed them hip-hop.

SHOCK, SHOCK – From The Washington Times:  "The Justice Department put an avowed political supporter of President Obama in charge of the criminal probe into the IRS targeting of tea party groups, according to top Republicans who said Wednesday that the move has ruined the entire investigation.
House Oversight and Government Reform Committee Chairman Darrell E. Issa, California Republican, and regulatory affairs subcommittee Chairman Jim Jordan, Ohio Republican, said they have discovered that the head of the investigation is Barbara Kay Bosserman, a trial lawyer in the Justice Department who donated more than $6,000 to Mr. Obama’s 2008 and 2012 campaigns, as well as several hundred dollars to the national Democratic Party."

January 8, 2013