SHORT TAKES ON THE DRIFTING WRECKAGE – AT 11:54 P.M. ET:

A SLIGHT SIGN OF LIFE – FROM HOLLYWOOD REPORTER:   A New York Times reporter has been reprimanded by the paper for a comment made about first lady Melania Trump.  The reporter made the comment on Sunday during a New York Fashion Week event. The newspaper did not identify the name of the staffer.  "At a party last night, a Times reporter who does not cover Washington or politics, referred to an unfounded rumor regarding Melania Trump,” the newspaper said in a statement. “The comment was not intended to be public, but it was nonetheless completely inappropriate and should not have occurred. Editors have talked to the reporter in question about the lapse.”  The comment became public knowledge on Monday after supermodel Emily Ratajkowski said on social media she heard what was said and was outraged over it.  Is The Times finally getting some religion?  I doubt it, but we are happy about this small sign of life.

END OF THE LINE – FROM NBC NEWS:   Michael Flynn abruptly resigned as President Donald Trump's national security adviser Monday night, hours after it was learned that the Justice Department informed the White House that it believed he could be subject to blackmail.  Retired Army Gen. Keith Kellogg, a top policy adviser for Trump's presidential campaign, was appointed acting national security adviser, the White House said in a statement announcing Flynn's replacement.  Kellogg, 72, a former commander of the fabled 82nd Airborne Division, was chief operating officer of the Western coalition in Baghdad, Iraq, after the U.S.-led invasion in 2003. A senior administration official told NBC News that Kellogg was under consideration for the permanent job, along with retired Navy Vice Adm. Robert Harward, former deputy commander of U.S. Joint Forces Command, and former CIA Director David Petraeus.  Three senior U.S. officials told NBC News that Harward was considered the favorite for the job.  The Dems are already declaring this a major scandal, the crisis of world history.  But their hysteria over the past month destroyed their credibility, and I suspect that, despite the efforts of CNN, Flynn's resignation will be ancient history by next week.

CAN YOU HEAR THE WHINING? – FROM THE WASHINGTON TIMES:   The mainstream media isn’t liking the new set up at the White House: Lesser name news outlets are being called on during press briefings, rather than the old, established bellwethers.  During his press conference with Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, President Donald Trump called on two news outlets: WJLA, a local ABC news affiliate, and the Daily Caller. Both failed to ask him about the fate of his national security adviser Gen. Michael Flynn, who has been marred in a controversy that he spoke to Russian authorities before Mr. Trump took office.  And the mainstream media immediately pounced – saying Mr. Trump was picking favorites in order to avoid questioning on Mr. Flynn.    “By handpicking reporters, Trump manages to get through a news conference without being asked about Flynn,” New York Times reporter Peter Baker lamented on Twitter – failing to mention that all U.S. presidents handpick reporters.  Yes, presidents can pick on anyone they wish.  A press conference is  courtesy granted to the press by the president.  It is not required by any statute.  I like the idea of opening the White House press conferences to lesser-known, and sometimes sharper journalists.  Ignore the sour grapes from the old-timers.

February 13, 2017