SHORT TAKES ON THE DRIFTING WRECKAGE – AT 11:20 P.M. ET: 

STRANGE APOLOGY – From AP:  "ANKARA, Turkey (AP) — US Vice President Joe Biden apologized Saturday to Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, who was angry over comments in which Biden said Erdogan had admitted that Turkey had made mistakes by allowing foreign fighters to cross into Syria."  So our vice president (probably acting on a prompt from our president) finds it necessary to apologize to Erdogan, a two-bit West-hating Islamist, who has become increasingly repressive.  One person who won't be receiving an apology from Biden is former CIA Director and Secretary of Defense Leon Panetta, whose new book severely criticizes Barack Obama's style of non-leadership.  Biden called the book "inappropriate."  No, it's very appropriate, as America is now warned by an insider about the reality of an administration that still has two years to run. 

THE REAL WORLD – From Fox:  "The Islamic State terror group identified its next target on Friday, a former U.S. Army Ranger who was captured in Lebanon last year during a relief mission to help Syrian refugees.  Peter Edward Kassig, 26, first visited Beirut on a college spring break trip. What the Indiana native saw there prompted him to return, the next time as a medical assistant and humanitarian worker hoping to offer blankets, food and medical care to victims of the region's conflicts.  Kassig founded a nongovernmental organization that provided aid for refugees fleeing the civil war in neighboring Syria. But his work in Lebanon led to his capture by militants on Oct. 1, 2013, while en route to eastern Syria."   It was the beheading of one American that led to public outrage here over the Islamic State.  One wonders what a new beheading will bring.  And what if the same fate falls on a downed American airman?

HILLARY'S ITINERARY – From The Politico:  "Hillary Clinton has mapped out much of her political schedule through Election Day, an itinerary that focuses on helping Senate candidates and includes trips to a half-dozen states, including Kentucky and presidential early states Iowa and New Hampshire, according to details obtained by POLITICO.  The plan, which could see adjustments and additions as races hit critical points in the coming weeks, was the product of close work between Clinton chief of staff Huma Abedin and the Democratic campaign committees."  Sounds like just the right itinerary for someone looking to pick up loyalty points for a presidential run.  She's not doing this out of love for fellow Democrats.  I wonder if she's bringing the new baby with her.

October 4, 2014