SHORT TAKES ON THE DRIFTING WRECKAGE – AT 11:55 P.M. ET: 

GOP LEADS IN ALASKA SENATE RACE – From The Hill:  "Sen. Mark Begich (D-Alaska) trails former Alaska Department of Natural Resources Commissioner Dan Sullivan (R) by a six-point margin, according to a new poll conducted for the Chamber of Commerce and first shared with The Hill.  Sullivan leads Begich by 49 percent to 43 percent in the live-caller poll, conducted by GOP firm Dittman Research, a larger lead than he's held in any other public polling of the race. The Chamber is backing Sullivan.  President Obama's numbers are abysmal in the Republican state, according to the poll. Two-thirds of voters disapprove of his job performance, 65 percent, while just 32 percent approve."  Still much too early to put this one away.  Every day now is critical, and we open the home stretch next Wednesday, October 1st.  Republicans need a net gain of six to control the Senate.  Looks close.

EXPERT ADVICE, NOT – From Business Insider:  "The Rev. Al Sharpton said his civil rights organization, the National Action Network, is 'engaged in immediate conversations' with the White House as they work to name 'We are engaged in immediate conversations with the White House on deliberations over a successor whom we hope will continue in the general direction of Attorney General Holder,' Sharpton said in a statement.  Sharpton praised Holder, the first African-American attorney general, as the 'best' one in history when it comes to civil rights.  'The resignation of Attorney General Eric Holder is met with both pride and disappointment by the Civil Rights community,' he said. 'We are proud that he has been the best Attorney General on Civil Rights in U.S. history and disappointed because he leaves at a critical time when we need his continued diligence most.'"  Yeah, right.  Just what this nation needs – the wisdom and advice of Al Sharpton.  Next the administration will ask for nominations from Al Capone.

FBI HEAD HITS APPLE, GOOGLE – From National Journal:  "The FBI director criticized Apple and Google Thursday for adopting new policies that will block police from accessing private data on phones and tablet computers.  An FBI spokesman confirmed that Director James Comey told reporters he is "very concerned" that the new features could thwart critical police investigations. The bureau has contacted both companies to learn more, the spokesman said.   Last week, Apple announced that its new operating system will make it impossible for the company to unlock iPhones and iPads. Even if the police obtain a warrant, Apple would be unable to turn over information such as photos, video, or contact lists stored on the device. Google, which makes the popular Android operating system, announced a similar policy the following day."  This is not good.  It would be very wise for both companies to modify their technology so they could cooperate with criminal investigations.  Last time I looked, both firms are part of the United States.  They're not bigger than the United States.

GREAT MOMENTS IN IMMATURITY – From Fox:  "A National Guard recruiter was instructed to stop handing out promotional T-shirts at a New York high school after teachers complained that the shirts featured a soldier holding a weapon. 'A pointed gun is just not appropriate for a high school,' said Alan McCartney, the interim superintendent of the Ravena-Coeymans-Selkirk School District.  Last Friday, a recruiter for the New York Army National Guard was on campus handing out swag – including a shirt with the logo of a silhouetted soldier aiming a rifle. The silhouette was framed by an American flag and the words 'National Guard.'  'A couple of teachers realized it showed a silhouette of a rifleman on it,' McCartney said in a telephone interview. “I realize some students look at the T-shirt and all they see is the National Guard. And that is a good thing. Others look at the shirt and all they see is the rifle.'"  That is absurd.  "Educators" should worry about real kids with real guns, especially on weekends in Chicago. 

September 25, 2014