SHORT TAKES ON THE DRIFTING WRECKAGE – AT 11:56 P.M. ET: 

CHEERING TRUMP – FROM THE WASHINGTON EXAMINER:  President Trump's decision to build a wall on the U.S.-Mexico border and stop the free flow of refugees until they can be vetted better is reviving the morale of customs and border agents, according to the union representing both.  "Morale amongst our agents and officers has increased exponentially," said a joint statement from the National Border Patrol Council and National ICE Council.  "The men and women of ICE and Border Patrol will work tirelessly to keep criminals, terrorists, and public safety threats out of this country, which remains the number one target in the world – and President Trump's actions now empower us to fulfill this life saving mission, and it will indeed save thousands of lives and billions of dollars," it added.  The statement on behalf of the agents for the immigration, customs and border protection was a powerful endorsement of Trump's action as he his under fire from critics of his actions.  Why listen to border agents?  How much could they possibly know about borders, as compared to, say, the editorial board of The New York Times?

OH, NOW WE KNOW – FROM THE WASHINGTON TIMES:    A candidate for the Democratic National Committee blames Hillary Clinton’s loss in the 2016 election on her decision to tap Sen. Tim Kaine of Virginia as her running mate.  Vincent Tolliver joined the 10 other candidates running to be the next DNC chair at a “Future Forum” in Houston Saturday and said the party would be singing a different tune if Mrs. Clinton chose someone other than Mr. Kaine, who was seen as too moderate by some Democrats.  “We lost simply … because Hillary did not pick the right running partner,” Mr. Tolliver said in response to a question.  Mr. Tolliver said Mrs. Clinton should have tapped someone like Sen. Bernie Sanders of Vermont or Sen. Corey Booker of New Jersey.  Mr. Kaine served as chairman of the DNC from 2009 to 2011.  Too what?  Too moderate?  The Dems have been losing at every level in recent years by lurching too far to the left.  Judging by the comments of those running for party chair, they've learned nothing.   The leading candidates want even further movement to the left.  Pretty soon they'll be just a coastal party.  A new party may be needed.

YUMMY?  OR JUST MORE EXPENSIVE? – FROM THE BALTIMORE SUN:  A tag that says simply "Best" hangs next to a price tag for Dr. McDougall's oatmeal on a shelf at Giant Food. A tag below Diamond sliced almonds reads "Good," while another below a can of Amy's Organic Soups says "Great."  The designations are part of a ratings system the Landover-based grocer is testing in nine of its stores that measures the sustainability of food, both fresh and processed.  Giant's pilot program, developed by Brooklyn, N.Y.-based HowGood, comes as more and more consumers want to know how their food is grown and made, and retailers are looking for ways to give them information in a digestible way. One grocery analyst dubbed 2017 the year of sustainability for groceries as consumers begin to embrace the idea much as many started seeking organic products in recent years.   Okay, but I want to know whether this really enhances the quality of food, or is just the latest gimmick, with accompanying price tag.  Gimme details, and proved science.

January 28, 2017