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

NOT MUCH – We'll be doing more on this.  The U.S. was able to get a resolution through the UN Security Council today increasing sanctions on North Korea.  China and Russia went along, but only after our original draft was gutted.  What was left was the usual raising of some sanctions, but nothing that would hit North Korea in the gut, like an oil embargo.  And we can't even be sure that China and some other countries will even honor the sanctions that were approved.  I have to believe that Trump has more up his sleeve, unless the Obama holdovers will ultimately convince him that nothing much can be done about the North Korean nuclear and missile programs.  That's not the Trump the people elected.

HURRICANE – Now that Irma has passed through Florida, the post mortems have begun.  I am amazed at how few casualties there were.  There is great credit to be given both to President Trump and Governor Scott, for their remarkable organizational abilities.  Add to that the professionalism of emergency services and local police departments.  There was some looting, but much less than might have been expected.  And the forecasters got it mostly right.  I can't find serious fault with most of the TV coverage.  Yes, there was some of the "worst thing to ever happen" stuff, but very little.  And most of what I saw was very fair to the president.  I can't imagine the good feeling will last, but the unity and capability shown by this country in the two recent hurricanes – Harvey and Irma – were memorable.

DO WE WANT THIS? – FROM THE TELEGRAPH:   Robots will begin replacing teachers in the classroom within the next ten years as part of a revolution in one-to-one learning, a leading educationalist has predicted.  Sir Anthony Seldon, Vice-Chancellor of the University of Buckingham, said intelligent machines that adapt to suit the learning styles of individual children will soon render traditional academic teaching all but redundant.  The former Master of Wellington College said programmes currently being developed in Silicon Valley will learn to read the brains and facial expressions of pupils, adapting the method of communication to what works best for them.  You mean, no more remembering Miss Berger and what she taught us?  I don't like that world.

September 11, 2017