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

KINDNESS TO SNOWFLAKES – FROM THE COLLEGE FIX:  Harvard Library is getting rid of a 50-cent daily charge for “regular loan items” that are overdue.  One of the justifications is that the change will be more “user-friendly.” What does that mean?  Steven Beardsley, associate director for access services administrative operations and special projects, told The Harvard Crimson:  "We have witnessed firsthand the stress that overdue fines can cause for students. Eliminating standard overdue fines and standardizing loan periods across Harvard’s libraries should help students focus on their scholarship, rather than worrying about renewing library books every 28 days in order to avoid fines."  That’s right. Harvard students are so fragile they can’t be bothered with either returning books on time or paying for the privilege of not returning them.  We must understand their trauma, their pain.  Just the term "fine" can terrorize a whole population. 

BETSY TRIUMPHS – FROM THE HILL:  Secretary of Education Betsy DeVos will give the commencement speech at Bethune-Cookman University, the historically black establishment said. 
DeVos will speak at the school’s commencement ceremony on May 10 on its campus in Daytona Beach, Fla.  “Much like Dr. Bethune, Founder of Bethune-Cookman University, Secretary DeVos deems the importance of opportunity and hope for students to receive an exceptional education experience,” the university said in a press release.   “Her mission to empower parents and students resonates with the history and legacy of Dr. Bethune.”  Good for Betsy and good for Bethune-Cookman, which is taking a risk by inviting a Trump Cabinet officer. 

I LOVE IT – FROM FOX:  Senior White House counselor Kellyanne Conway reacted to comments made Tuesday by Hillary Clinton that blamed FBI Director James Comey and Russian interference for aiding Republican rival Donald Trump’s ascension to the presidency.  Conway said in a Tweet to Clinton that "You Ignored WI, Called us deplorable/irredeemable, Had oodles of $$ & no message, Lost to a better candidate," signing it "From: Woman in the White House."  Speaking truth to almost power.

May 2, 2017