SHORT TAKES ON THE DRIFTING WRECKAGE – AT 8:17 P.M. ET: 

WILL THERE ALWAYS BE AN ENGLAND? – From Fox:  "Inspectors in Britain investigating allegations of a plot to run several schools according to strict Islamic rules said Monday that there is evidence of an 'organized campaign' to target certain schools and a 'culture of fear and intimidation' exists on multiple campuses.  The Office for Standards in Education, or OFSTED, said five of 21 schools it inspected in the central English city of Birmingham failed to protect students from Islamic extremism. The Wall Street Journal reports the schools in question are state schools and have a Muslim majority."  Coming soon to a school near you.

COMMON SENSE – From AP:  "TOPPENISH, Wash. -- When school resumes in the fall in the Toppenish School District, some administrators will be armed for an added level of security.  The Yakima Herald-Republic reports that 11 principals, vice principals and administrators, including Supt. John Cerna, have volunteered under a program approved following the school shooting at Sandy Hook, Connecticut in December 2012.  The armed administrators at Toppenish must pass background checks, obtain concealed weapons permits and receive 16 hours of training. The training includes shoot-don't-shoot scenarios similar to the training police officers receive."  It is plain common sense to have trained personnel at a school, as long as they are carefully chosen.  If an armed intruder appears, "calling the police" is hardly a reply.  By the time the police arrive, it's all over, with tragic results.  Trained personnel can possibly end or deter the threat.  Yet many communities resist trained personnel because of liberal ideology.

TYPICAL – From Indiana Economic Digest:  "INDIANAPOLIS — Indiana’s largest teachers union is attempting to stop a proposed teaching license that would allow college graduates with good grades and work experience to become classroom teachers.  The so-called career specialist permit is part of an update to the state’s licensing rules that the Indiana State Board of Education may take a final vote on next month.  The Indiana State Teachers Association held a press conference at the Indiana Statehouse this week asking the board to reconsider its decision to keep the proposal alive. Supporters say the license will provide flexibility to high school principals and superintendents when hiring new teachers.  Echoing the sentiments of those against the proposal, Mark Lichtenberg, the head of the Evansville Teachers Association, said on Friday the license 'cheapens' the profession."  No, sir.  What cheapens the profession are the current low standards for teachers.  This new provision is good, and does give administrators additional flexibility to hire outstanding candidates who haven't gone the traditional route, which is loaded with "education" courses.

OBAMA LOSING PRISONER SWAP POLLS – From The Hill:  "A majority says President Obama should have alerted Congress in advance of the deal exchanging five Taliban prisoners for Army Sgt. Bowe Bergdahl, a new poll finds.  Sixty-four percent believe Obama should be required to give prior warning about such decisions, while 34 percent said he should have the flexibility to make those calls alone, according to a Pew Research/USA Today poll released Monday."  The president's support is eroding.  More and more Americans no longer trust him.   Ordinarily, a president would be given the benefit of the doubt on something like this.

June 9, 2014