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

THE MYSTERY – FROM THE HILL:   WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange says there's an "obvious" reason the Obama administration has focused on Russia's alleged role in Democratic hacks leading up to Donald Trump's electoral win.  “They’re trying to delegitimize the Trump administration as it goes into the White House,” Assange said during an interview with Fox News's Sean Hannity airing Tuesday night, according to a transcript of excerpts from the network.  “They are trying to say that President-elect Trump is not a legitimate president," Assange said during the interview, which was conducted at the Ecuadorian embassy in London where he has been staying.  "Our publications had wide uptake by the American people, they’re all true,” Assange continued. “But that’s not the allegation that’s being presented by the Obama White House.”  Assange reiterated the group's denial that Russia was the source of the Democratic documents released over the summer.  I take no position.  I want much more information.  And I mean MUCH more. 

THE TECH AGE – NOT – FROM CNN:   (CNN) A computer outage at US airports Monday evening left thousands of inbound international travelers stuck behind customs screening stations for hours on one of the busiest travel days of the year.  The US Customs and Border Protection processing systems were back online at all airports later in the night, spokesman Daniel Hetlage said -- but not before creating long lines of disgruntled holiday travelers.  The outage lasted from about 5 to 9 p.m. ET, Hetlage said. Airport officials and travelers across the country reported delays ranging from 30 minutes to two hours.  Imagine if an enemy could disrupt a number of critical computer systems at once.  It is one of the nightmare scenarios for which we are not prepared.

BETTER THAN SHERLOCK – FROM LONDON'S TELEGRAPH:  High-tech washing machines and fridges will soon be used by detectives gathering evidence from crime scenes, experts have forecast.  The advent of ‘the internet of things’ in which more devices are connected together in a world of ‘smart working’ could in future provide important clues for the police.  Detectives are currently being trained to look for gadgets and white goods which could provide a ‘digital footprint’ of victims or criminals.  Mark Stokes, the head of the digital, cyber and communications forensics unit at the Metropolitan Police told The Times: “Wireless cameras within a device, such as fridge, may record the movement of owners and suspects.   “Doorbells that connect directly to apps on a user’s phone can show who has rung the door and the owner or others may then remotely, if they choose, give controlled access to the premises while away from the property.  “All these leave a log and a trace of activity. The crime scene of tomorrow is going to be the internet of things.”  A man can't even go to the fridge and swipe a second helping of ice cream without the police knowing about it.  What kind of world is that?

January 2, 2017