SHORT TAKES ON THE DRIFTING WRECKAGE – AT 9:58 P.M. ET:

PERRY FIGHTS BACK – Governor Rick Perry fought back today against his indictment, which even some Democrats say appears to be without merit, by a grand jury.  From the Fort Worth Star-Telegram:  "AUSTIN — A defiant Rick Perry went on the offensive Saturday, a day after being indicted on accusations of abusing his power with a controversial veto, denouncing the charges as 'outrageous' political theatrics and predicting he will prevail over 'those who would erode our state’s constitution and laws purely for political purposes.  I wholeheartedly and unequivocally stand behind my veto and will continue to defend this lawful action of my executive authority as governor,' Perry told reporters at a packed six-minute news conference near his office on the second floor of the Capitol.  'We don’t settle political differences with indictments in this country.'"  Indeed we don't...or shouldn't.

HILLARY'S NEEDS – From the Las Vegas Review-Journal:  "Hillary Rodham Clinton likes to travel in style.  She insists on staying in the 'presidential suite' of luxury hotels that she chooses anywhere in the world, including Las Vegas.  She usually requires those who pay her six-figure fees for speeches to also provide a private jet for transportation — only a $39 million, 16-passenger Gulfstream G450 or larger will do.  And she doesn’t travel alone, relying on an entourage of a couple of 'travel aides,' and a couple of advance staffers who check out her speech site in the days leading up to her appearance, much like a White House trip, according to her contract and supporting documents concerning her Oct. 13 speech at a University of Nevada, Las Vegas Foundation fundraiser. The documents were obtained by the Las Vegas Review-Journal through the state public records law."  This will not play well in heartland America, but it'll be just fine in Beverly Hills.

CURFEW IN FERGUSON – Common sense.  After a Friday night filled with looting, not stopped by the police, the governor has imposed a curfew on Ferguson, Missouri.  From The New York Times:  "Governor Jay Nixon of Missouri on Saturday imposed a midnight to 5 a.m. curfew in this small city, declaring a state of emergency after violence flared anew after a week of street protests over the killing of an unarmed black teenager by a white police officer.  'This is not to silence the people of Ferguson, but to address those who are drowning out the voice of the people with their actions,' Mr. Nixon, a Democrat, told reporters and residents at a Ferguson church. 'We will not allow a handful of looters to endanger the rest of this community. If we’re going to achieve justice, we must first have and maintain peace.'  Mr. Nixon added: 'This is a test. The eyes of the world are watching.'"  The big mistake was allowing looting last night, with the police making no arrests. 

August 16, 2014