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

CRUZ CRUISIN' – From The Hill:  Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas) brought in more than $12 million in the third fundraising quarter, a strong haul that will likely show him in good standing in the Republican presidential race.  Campaign aides Thursday night confirmed that haul, which was first reported by the Associated Press.
It brings the Texas Republican’s fundraising total to more than $26 million since he launched his bid — after bringing in $10 million in the second quarter and $4 million during the first quarter. Cruz launched his bid just one week before the end of quarter one.  He is fast emerging as the intellectual heavyweight of the conservative moment.  His debating skills are superb.  But he is loathed by the GOP establishment.  Watch him closely.  If he can escape establishment knives in the back, he can have a great future, and go all the way.

A BIT MUCH – From eagnews.org:   PUEBLO, Colo. – A female high-school student awaits a disciplinary hearing and could face expulsion for wearing a Halloween costume to school that prompted officials to lock down the building Wednesday.  An unnamed female student was spotted in the hallway at Pueblo County High School early yesterday morning wearing a gas mask and trench coat, and a classmate reported her to school officials, The Pueblo Chieftain reports.  The teen was hauled to the office where she was interrogated by the police, who also placed the school on lockdown for about an hour. The Pueblo County Sheriff’s Office SWAT team, which was training near the school, also responded in full camouflage gear and a large armored vehicle to sweep the building for anything dangerous or suspicious. They found nothing, according to the news site.  I've always believed that Halloween costumes are a threat to national security.  I'm so glad that others agree.  I'd look closely at Donald Duck costumes as well.

AND THE HYPOCRISY FLOWS – From the Washington Times:   Senate Democrats gathered Thursday on the steps of the Capitol surrounded by about a dozen armed guards to announce a new push for tougher gun-control laws.  The officers from the U.S. Capitol Police, who carried sidearms, were in addition to the regular detail paroling the Capitol ground due the large number of elected officials attending the event, according to a officer on the scene.  And, of course, being Democrats, they demand the best in armed protection.  But let's not allow the peasantry to have that same protection. 

October 8,  2015