SHORT TAKES ON THE DRIFTING WRECKAGE – AT 8:09 P.M. ET: 

SAD NUMBERS – From Breitbart:  "Nearly six in ten black Americans (59 percent) believe that there would already be a cure for the deadly Ebola virus had it originated in Europe or America.   A YouGov/Economist poll also found that 62 percent of Americans think 'more would have been done' to combat Ebola had it not originated in West Africa. Forty-two percent of Americans also believe there would be a cure had the virus originated in Europe or the U.S. while 23 percent do not think that would be the case.  The poll, which was conducted October 4-6 and has a margin of error of +/- 4.4 percentage points, was taken before Thomas Eric Duncan -- the Liberian alien who became the first person diagnosed with Ebola on American soil -- died on Wednesday."  There is probably truth to some of these beliefs.   We are more aware of tragedy in Europe or America.  It's cultural.  But I doubt if a quick cure could be cooked up simply because a disease originates close to home.  That's not science. 

SERIOUS STUFF IN LONDON – From AFP:  "LONDON — Police in London on Thursday said they had arrested a fifth British man on suspicion of Islamist-linked 'terrorism' after saying earlier they had managed to avert a 'significant plot.'  The 20-year-old was arrested 'on suspicion of being concerned in the commission, preparation or instigation of acts of terrorism,' the Metropolitan Police said in a statement.  The police said he was arrested on Tuesday along with the other four, but this was not revealed 'for operational reasons.'"  At least they're not saying he was arrested on suspicion of planning "workplace violence."  There has been reporting that suggests that the alleged perpetrators plotted to behead ordinary people on the streets of London.

AMERICA IN 2014 – From AP:  "PHILADELPHIA (AP) -- A Philadelphia supermarket stabbing that left a man with wounds in his face and neck didn't deter some customers, who continued to shop.  Police Chief Inspector Scott Small says the attacker stabbed the man on Tuesday evening.  Small says the victim's wounds left a 'heavy blood trail' but about 20 customers continued to shop near it even after they were told it was a crime scene and the store was closed. He says some customers even wheeled shopping carts through the blood trail and there was 'no way they could have missed the blood.'  Police say the stabbing suspect was apprehended. Small says the victim was taken to a hospital in critical condition with deep cuts."  We now await the arrival of the excuse industry, which will "explain" the "socio-economic" reasons for this cultural breakdown.  And, believe me, it's your fault.

$60,000 A YEAR – Reader Jacqueline Reckseit alerts us to this, from Fox:  "They got most of their SAT questions right, but students at Harvard blew this lay-up posed by the college blog Campus Reform: Who is the bigger threat to world peace, ISIS or the U.S.?  Various students at the hallowed Ivy League school said they believe that America, not the Muslim fanatics who behead innocent people, is the biggest threat to world peace.  The students were interviewed on the quad by Campus Reform on Saturday, and the shocking video was posted on Tuesday...Caleb Bonham, editor of Campus Reform, conducted the interviews and said that the students’ response is nothing new.  'This video demonstrates the absurdity behind the bash America fad,' Bonham told FoxNews.com. 'Unfortunately, too many students think it is intellectual to try and piece together a reason why America is a greater threat than this terrorist organization trying to establish a caliphate through public executions, bombings and beheadings.'"   These kids will be our leaders in 25 years.  We hope they mature and grow, unlike many of their teachers, who are still stuck in the 1960s.  Ronald Reagan was right in saying that we're always one generation away from losing our freedoms.  I wonder what generation that will be.

October 9,  2014