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

CRIME STORY – FROM BREITBART:  When the City of Phoenix ended its sanctuary city status crime began to fall, the Arizona Police Association reports. Their statement contrasts sharply with politically motivated chiefs of police from around the country.  “When we eliminated our sanctuary policy back in 2008, we saw crime, violent and stolen vehicles fall by 25 percent,” former Phoenix police officer and Executive Director of the Arizona Police Association Levi Bolton told Fox News Channel’s William La Jeunesse in an interview. “We saw a 20-year low crime rate. When we were allowed and had the discretion to contact our federal immigration partners, crime fell drastically.”  Lajeunesse reported data from City-Data.com revealing that from 2008 to 2009, the murder rate in Phoenix dropped by 27 percent. Other crimes fell as well.  Those are the facts.  As the story notes, police chiefs elsewhere tell a different story.  But remember that police chiefs are politically appointed officials.  They follow the line.

NORTH KOREA HEATS UP – FROM BBC:  US President Donald Trump says that years of "strategic patience" with North Korea have failed and it is now time for a "determined response".  "Together we are facing the threat of the reckless and brutal regime," Mr Trump said at a press conference with South Korean President Moon Jae-in.  Mr Trump called on North Korea to "choose a better path... quickly".  Separately, Mr Moon said that it was necessary to continue to engage in dialogue with North Korean leaders.  The South Korean president added that his country would pursue defence reforms and continue to build up the capacity to defend itself.  Mr Moon said the North Korea issue was a top priority during the talks, stressing that "only strong security can bring about genuine peace" in the Asia-Pacific region.  North Korea has been completely unresponsive both to American demands to curtail its nuclear and missile programs, and to appeals for a peaceful resolution to its conflicts with other nations.  It's clear that Trump won't tolerate the North's intransigence much longer.  Obama tolerated it, and look where we are.

UNIVERSITY OF MISSOURI SINKING – FROM AP:  COLUMBIA, Mo. (AP) — A major financial ratings agency has downgraded the University of Missouri system's credit outlook from stable to negative, citing enrollment declines on the flagship campus in Columbia and declining state revenue.  Moody's Investor Services on Thursday also affirmed the university's Aa1 credit rating, the second highest rating possible. Moody's said the university's revenue and overall financial health give it the flexibility to deal with year-to-year financial challenges.  System President Mun Choi said in a news release Friday that the university recognizes the financial challenges presented by declining enrollment and state funding cuts.  Moody's acknowledges that the university has planned options for revenue growth and cost reductions, but said the new management's ability to deliver on those plans is not yet proven. Choi has been president since March 1.  This all began with absurd, extremist, student demonstrations.  Missouri isn't California.  Taxpayers did not appreciate their state-funded university being taken over by nutjobs.  The result has been a withdrawal of many students and a reluctance of others to attend.  The "social justice" warriors who caused all this have yet to apologize.

July 1, 2017