SHORT TAKES ON THE DRIFTING WRECKAGE – AT 11:45 P.M.

TOUGH TIMES FOR COLLEGE GRADS – From The Wall Street Journal: "...the fraction of college grads between 22 and 27 who were working in jobs that don’t generally require a bachelor’s degree rose to 46% during the 1990-91 recession, fell significantly during the 1990s boom and was down to 34% by 2001. This “underemployment rate” rose sharply after the 2001 recession and rose further after the 2007-09 recession, the economists find. It stood at 44% in 2012.  Underemployment is most acute for those immediately out of college: 56% of 22-year-old college grads in 2009-2011 were working in jobs that didn’t require college degrees, substantially higher than in 1990 and in 2001. Historical data suggest many of them will find better jobs before they turn 30."  I hope they do, but the figures are depressing.  College is supposed to be the great gateway, but really isn't for millions of young people.

NEW ARMY RIFLE? – From the Washington Times:  "While at the nation’s largest gun show in Las Vegas, Nev., the SHOT Show, the U.S. Army is said to have purchased six 'smart' rifles after witnessing the product’s performance in the hands of novice shooters. Each rifle can cost up to $27,000, according to Military.com — but the rifle’s performance won them over.  A correspondent working for Military.com hit a target from roughly 1,000 yards away on his first shot. He reported that of 70 or so reporters and novice shooters who tried the rifle, only 'one or two' missed from the extended range."  Sounds like an intriguing weapon, but the Army had to go to a gun show to get it?  Isn't the manufacturer in the phone book?

FBI MISSION STATEMENT – From Foreign Policy:  "The Federal Bureau of Investigation has decided to revise a controversial fact sheet that declared its primary mission to be 'national security,' following criticism that the agency seemed to be moving away from its longstanding role as the nation's preeminent law enforcement agency.  The change emphasizes that stopping terrorism and battling more conventional domestic criminal activity are both 'primary functions' of the FBI."  Hmm.  I have no idea if this change is significant, but the Obama administration, and its hired hands, seem determined to de-emphasize the war on terror whenever they can.  Soon they'll be telling us that one man's terrorist is another man's freedom fighter.  In fact, national security has always been a major function of the FBI, and, in wartime, probably the primary function.  The Bureau's anti-sabotage work in World War II was often stellar.

January 18, 2014