SHORT TAKES ON THE DRIFTING WRECKAGE – AT 10:18 P.M. ET: 

MSNBC RISES – FROM NBC:  NEW YORK (July 24, 2017) – For the first time in the network’s 21-year history, MSNBC finished the week as the most-watched cable network during weekday prime (M-F 8-11pm) in total viewers. According to Nielsen, MSNBC ended the week of July 17-21 as the #1 cable network for all weekday prime, averaging 2.34 million viewers, ahead of FOX News at 2.25 million. MSNBC was previously #1 in cable news in weekday prime during the weeks of May 15, 2017 (behind TNT) and September 3, 2012 (behind USA) among total viewers, but this was the 1st time MSNBC was #1 among all of cable.  Additionally, MSNBC’s 7pm through midnight lineup was the #1 cable network in total viewers.  Can't deny they're doing well, but I wouldn't despair just yet.  Their "victory" over Fox was narrow, and Fox has had a particularly bad year, with constant personnel problems.  MSNBC is now the go-to network for the left, and is probably grabbing viewers from CNN, which is going through an identity crisis.  I don't see MSNBC having the clout that Fox still has.

I'M NOT SO SURE THIS IS PROGRESS – FROM FOX:    A Wisconsin tech company says they are about to become the first business in the U.S. to offer microchip implants to its employees.  Three Square Market (32M), a River Falls-based software design company, says starting August 1st, it will be offering microchips to all their employees. The chips will be implanted underneath the skin between the thumb and forefinger, which will allow employees to pay for food and drinks in the company’s break room, open security doors, and login into their computers without any special cards—or passwords.  And what do you do if someone steals your password, run to the emergency room and demand a chip-o-dectomy?

THE NEW DEMOCRATS? – FROM REALCLEARPOLITICS.COM:  Rep. Luis Gutierrez (D-IL) ripped President Trump for his immigration policy in a sermon at Chicago's Lincoln United Methodist Church on Saturday. The Democratic Congressman said Trump is the "major criminal" and he will "eliminate" him as president when the Democrats win a majority in the House.  The Lincoln United Methodist Church is a sanctuary church and according to Gutierrez's website, he "spoke to a packed house about the need to defend DACA (Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals) and other forms of legal immigration status that are under attack from Republicans and Donald Trump."  Gutierrez said that while Trump is attempting to criminalize immigrants, the president is the "real criminal." The Congressman said illegal immigrants are not criminals and that history will determine who the true criminals are.  If an immigrant is illegal, how can he or she not be a criminal?  I'm afraid this is the new Democratic Party, and it will drown out any voices of reason.

July 24,  2017