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

MAJOR BLAME NEWS – From Fox:   The world’s first farmers and their slash-and-burn agriculture may have set off global warming.  A new analysis of ice-core climate data, archaeological evidence and ancient pollen samples is being used to suggest farming some 7,000 years ago helped put the brakes on a natural cooling process of the global climate, possibly contributing the warmer climate seen today.  But the study is expected to raise a few eyebrows, given there were far fewer people on Earth back then and industrialization -- and the coal-fired power plants that come with it -- was still a long ways off.  So now we know the truth about global warming, at least the truth until next week.  Watch this space for next week's truth.

THIS IS TOO MUCH – From The Hill:   President Obama says he's not willing to give a speech at his daughter Malia's high school graduation ceremony.  The reason: He expects to be too emotional, according to ABC.  “Malia's school asked if I wanted to speak at commencement and I said no,” the president was overheard saying during a lunch stop in Detroit on Wednesday.  “I'm going to be wearing dark glasses ... and I’m going to cry.”  Oh please.  What an act.  A lot of us should be crying because the mess this country is in as a result of Obama's policies.

CLINTON CASH – From The Hill:   Despite Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton's lead in national polls, her campaign is worried about getting "outraised" by rival Bernie Sanders.  "Here's the truth: We know we have more supporters than he does. But a higher proportion of his supporters have stepped up to fund his campaign," campaign manager Robby Mook wrote in an email to Clinton supporters with the subject line "This is what being outraised looks like."  The email said Sanders's campaign is outspending them on TV in Iowa and New Hampshire "just as voters are starting to pay attention, and the polls are incredibly tight."  It asked for supporters to give funds — just $1 — to "help close the gap."   Clinton didn't expect this, and doesn't seem to know how to battle Sanders.  She may well break his momentum once they get beyond Iowa and New Hampshire.  I still maintain that her real hurdle will be the FBI investigation.  If that produces evidence of crimes, Bernie's fundraising can become a minor annoyance.

January 20, 2016