SHORT TAKES ON THE DRIFTING WRECKAGE – AT 10:31 P.M. ET: 

THE WARNING – FROM REUTERS:   The Trump administration is likely to expand a ban on laptops on commercial aircraft to include some European countries, but is reviewing how to ensure lithium batteries stored in luggage holds do not explode in midair, officials briefed on the matter said on Wednesday.  Any expansion of the ban could impact U.S. carriers such as United Airlines, Delta Air Lines Inc and American Airlines Group. Six U.S. and European officials said they expect the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to make an announcement but declined to say when.  Clearly, there is some piece of credible intelligence behind this.  DHS Secretary Kelly said recently that this is what keeps him up at night.

FIGHTING BACK – FROM COLLEGE FIX:  Two bills working their way through the Michigan state Senate would bring serious repercussions to any state college students who infringe upon the free speech rights of others on campus.  MLive reports that the bills, which would apply to the fifteen universities and twenty-eight community colleges in Michigan, require the state’s institutions of higher learning to issue either a one-year suspension or an expulsion for students found twice to have violated or infringed upon another’s free speech rights.  The Michigan Association of State Universities opposes the bills, calling them “unnecessary and duplicative” and an infringement upon the rights of colleges to govern their own campuses.  I love the reaction of the "Association."  Who needs more free speech protection?  There are new campus horror stories every day but, hey, we educators can take care of that.  I hope the bills go through.

THE RUMOR MILL – FROM THE HILL:   President Trump has reportedly considered replacing White House press secretary Sean Spicer, and has raised a Fox News host as a possible spokesperson.  Six West Wing officials told The New York Times that the president is considering the most far-reaching shake-up of his first term after being dissatisfied with several top aides, especially Spicer.  Trump has discussed Fox News host Kimberly Guilfoyle as a possible press secretary, according to the Times, which noted that the president has also spent several hours with Spicer this week praising his TV "ratings" during briefings.  Well, if he does replace Spicer, which may or may not be wise, Guilfoyle would be superb.  But Sarah Huckabee Sanders, currently subbing for Spicer while he's on Naval Reserve duty, would also be superb.

May 13,  2017